The new official Tweet Button is finally out.
I’m sure you’ve heard that Twitter has finally decided to fill in some holes and reclaim the retweeting market that had previously been pretty much owned by TweetMeme.
Yes, Twitter is killing TweetMeme (but don’t feel sorry for TweetMeme - some of the technology developed by the company will be licensed by Twitter and an agreement is in place to suit both parties.)
Here are some solutions that the new Tweet Button provides (according to Twitter):
1. Share your content on Twitter without having to leave the page.
2. Promote your Twitter account - users have a choice to follow you after retweet is completed.
3. You have a choice of 3 ways to customize the button.
4. Can even build your own fully custom button.
5. The ability to retweet links.
6. Get the most comprehensive count of retweets from the entire Twitter network.
7. The new button can be added to ANY website and very easy to embed.
I am already using the new Tweet Button on my blog. Why?
To see what the noise is all about.
…And to see what kind of problems I can dig up.
So here are my initial findings:
- The button (at the moment) is not very accurate as far as the tweet count goes and slow to update.
- It’s a DoFollow button, which means that every page you’ll add the button to will give up some link juice to Twitter. The solution to this problem would be to manually add a rel=”nofollow” attribute to the link.
- Your links can potentially show up as broken in the retweeting process.
- Here’s a big one for us, SEO types: the code in the Tweet Button is proprietary Twitter code, which means that it’s not accepted as valid code. That of course means that search engine spiders will not be too happy with your site. Same issue with Facebook “like” button, by the way.
What’s the solution? I am not sure yet.
So far the best way out I see is to use the Topsy RT button.
Have you installed the new Tweet Button on your blog/website yet? How do you like it so far? Tell me your experience with it in the comments below.
You are right: you don’t have to comment or retweet, but would it help if I told you it would be much appreciated? 
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A wife to a great husband, a mother to a beautiful and, no doubt, genius little girl, and a successful internet entrepreneur. I also devoted my life to Jesus Christ many years ago, and He remains my true priority, focus, and hope.
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m undecided on whether or not this is a good thing, I can see the perks for the blog owner but as someone who uses Twitter, having things like this pop up all the time can be both useful and annoying!
Harriet invites you to read…Pre Owned TAG Heuer Formula 1
I am not sure what you are referring to, Harriet.
You use Tween Button when you choose to retweet somebody’s content; only then you see a box to customize your tweet.
Ana
If they are not ready with all the facility than they should not launch it.
Because their main aim is to get power from tweetmeme and this one wont work than tweetmeme will be more stronger.
Lets see … time will reveal everything.
Lalit@Social Bookmarking Service invites you to read…Social Bookmarking Sites
I think they prefer testing on the users rather than pre-test before a launch.
Nothing we can do about it; our choice is to take it or leave it.
Thanks for the comment, Lalit.
Hi Ana,
Like Josh had mentioned, I am also going to hold off on this.
It actually looks pretty cool but since I have not had any problems
with the one that I already have, I am not going to change it, as of
yet.
Who knows what may happen in an hour
Thanks for the great information.
Tommy D.
“Who knows what may happen in an hour
” - internet well-defined, Tommy.
I like your approach!
Ana
Ana @ Traffic Generation Cafe invites you to read…How To Find Out Who Your Blog Fans Are
Hi Ana, this post was a great find for me via DiTesco’s Allied Bloggers Daily. I’m using the Digg Digg plugin and I installed the new Tweet plugin on top of that. My idea was to have Tweetmeme at the top and the Tweet button at the bottom of my posts. Didn’t work out that way because my readers were getting all kinds of error messages related to the Tweet plugin
What a fiasco!
I uninstalled the Twitter plugin and on the advice of a friend switched from Tweetmeme to Topsy (from Digg Digg). I’m happy with the results.
Thanks for pointing out the negative SEO aspects, do you have any idea why Twitter didn’t consider them when developing the code?
Great post. I’ll use that button now!
Ileane invites you to read…Power Twitter User In The Making
Thanks for following me to my blog, Ileane.
I’ve heard many good things about Topsy tweet button, I hope it works well for you.
On the other hand, I had no idea these buttons can cause any kind of error messages, so it’s good to know.
Thanks,
Ana
Nope. Have not yet installed the Tweet button and most likely I won’t, at least for the mean time. I am happy with Topsy and it has already been proven reliable. I’ve seen other blogs that have mentioned the same “downsides” as you, so at this point, I am not seeing anything pointing to Twitter’s own RT button. Will use it now though
DiTesco invites you to read…What You Need To Know About Blog Commenting
Thanks for trying it out on my blog, DiTesco.
If my disappointment in the new Tweet Button continues, Topsy would be my first choice to switch to. Glad to hear you are happy with it.
Thanks for stopping by!
Ana Hoffman
Ana @ Traffic Generation Cafe invites you to read…Traffic Generation Cafe on Laughing Matters
Hi Ana,
Thanks for the review.
I’m not using it yet. I like to wait till all the bugs get worked out… well as good as they can. I’d like a smooth transition.
Love that you wrote about this so soon. Thank you!
Susanna
Susanna Hess invites you to read…Work From Home Accountability Program
Hey Ana..
Thanks for letting us know about the official retweet button - my tweetmeme plugin is still working fine.. but I’ll give this one a shot,.. it looks nicer
thanks for sharing
Hector
Hector Cuevas invites you to read…How To Create A Content Packed Lead Magnet In 6 Hours Or Less
I assume it will continue to work for quite a while longer, Hector. I am not sure how the full transition from TweetMeme will occur - will it just stop working? We shall see.
~Ana
Ana,
I’m interested to see what your results are! I love the idea of the follow feature!
Heather
Heather C Stephens invites you to read…Personal Branding for Network Marketers- Be Unforgettable!
Have not noticed much change thus far, Heather.
I do like the follow feature of it, however I don’t think there is any tracking in place to see how effective it is.
~Ana
Hey Ana,
Thanks for sharing your review on the new button with us. I have not ever seen it on any other sites yet.
I also agree about TweetMema and will hold on to it for now.
Thanks again, Ray
Hi Ana,
No I was not knowing that Twitter tried to pull off Tweetmeme… For now until that old good Tweetmeme will work I will stick with it. Maybe later after the Beta test of Twitter and maybe they will improve it… I will think about change.
But great that some try it and share experiences. Thanks for doing that and let us know how good Twitter button will be!
Dave B.
Auto Traffic Avalanche invites you to read…Auto Traffic Avalanche
Hey Ana
Thanks for trialling and reviewing this new “Official Tweet Button”.
I am sure it will be the bee’s knees when all the kinks are ironed out.
I have the TweetMeme button which is doing it job fine for me at the mo, but I will look forward to your up-date on this.
Chat soon
Dwayne
Dwayne Huggins invites you to read…Money Vs People Which One Are You More Interested In
I will definitely keep you updated, Dwayne.
Ana
Thanks Ana…more great information! I actually love when applications change for the better…keeps us on our toes too…I’ll let you know after I’ve tried it…cheers.
What a great way to look at it, Karen; I love it! Most people hate change, me including…
~Ana
The good bad and the ugly-can you believe that was the title of my last tweet- spooky! Sounds like the consensus is to maybe hold off a bit? Will see where it all leads
Cheers Kiaran
kiaran invites you to read…Social and Business Networking Sites-what rocks and what sucks! Top 191 Sites
I hope that last tweet was about my new Tweet Button post.
As I don’t get bucket loads of traffic, I decided to move over to tweetbutton from twetememe - the less accounts I have to visit the better!!
Jamie invites you to read…nuts
Sounds like a good reason, Jamie!
Ana @ Traffic Generation Cafe invites you to read…On-Page Ranking Factors That Scream or Whisper
Hi Ana and thanks for that review,
Call me shallow but I actually prefer the colour and design of the TweetMeme button, the washed out blue of Twitter’s answer doesn’t do it for me, nor fit my blog color scheme.
The SEO concerns are a bit more serious though. I’ll hold judgement yet, especially given the points you’ve raised. Very grateful that you’re doing this road test and I’d love to know what else comes to light about this new Tweet button.
Jym
Jym invites you to read…5 Beliefs That Will Stop You Generating Wealth… And How To Dissolve Them
I am with you as far as color is concerned, Jym - nothing shallow about that.
I am sure many new developments are yet to come as far as the Tweet Button is concerned; hopefully they’ll fix the problems soon enough.
~Ana
Hi Ana,
I kept seeing that new Tweet Button around and was wondering what it was all about. Just like on new software, I’ll hold off until the bugs are out
Thanks for your great review on it though!
Ilka
Ilka Flood invites you to read…Self-discipline the Key to Achieving Your Goals
hi Ana
I appreciate your technical knowledge, which is my weak point. After I got my blog back up and reloaded all the plug ins, it appears that Digg Digg is using the new tweet button.
all the best
Charlie Holles
Charlie Holles invites you to read…It’s Good to be Back – and everything is perfect!
Yes, I noticed that as well, Charlie.
Glad to see your blog up and running again!
~Ana
Ana @ Traffic Generation Cafe invites you to read…How To Rank Well For Your Inner Pages
I use Digg Digg but I did install the new button just above the comments section. I will see how it works.
I like the idea of allowing users to follow you after the retweet, plus who knows what future goodies they will come up with.
Peter Fuller MBA invites you to read…Something You May Not Know About The Law of Attraction
I do like the retweeting feature as well, Peter. There are definitely some pluses to using it.
As you noticed, I have not take it off just yet.
~Ana
Ana @ Traffic Generation Cafe invites you to read…Big Tips to Get People Retweeting
Hey Ana,
Thanks for sharing the review on the new button. I have seen it on a few sites now.
I agree with the other guys - I’m going to hold on to TweetMeme until it gets axed!
All the best,
Mavis Nong
Mavis Nong invites you to read…Still Struggling In Your Network Marketing Business
Hi Ana,
thanks for being “avantgarde” and testing the new button. I agree with Josh: I’m going to wait until the next release comes out.
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend invites you to read…Change Your Point Of View
Hi Ana, once again you’re right at the forefront of what’s happening! I did not know about this development, I am using Tweetmeme on my blogs & it works just fine.
I’ll keep it there until it gets axed, hopefully there will be another workable solution by then.
Thanks for giving us the heads-up…& being the guinea-pig!
Stay inspired,
Michael
Michael B Wilbraham invites you to read…2 Words That Scream “Network Marketing Scam”
Being the guinea-pig is what keeps many of my readers coming back, so I am OK with that!
Sounds like a good solution for now, Michael.
~Ana
Hey Ana, your timing is eerie. I’ve just spend about ten minutes putting a new social marketing button called Bookmarkify on my blog. My last plugin didn’t include Twitter but I’m still not sure Bookmarkify will be adequate. I’m testing it out. Thanks for the tip on Topsy RT. I’ll definitely consider it.
Liz@internet home business blog invites you to read…How To Write An Ebook – What Most Writers Miss
You are very welcome, Liz - glad I timed it right for you!
I find that having a Twitter button is very important; however even that is not an easy process!
~Ana
Thank you for the review of the new Retweet Button. I have already started to see it around on different sites and I wasn’t enitrely sure what was going on.
I think for now I am going to stick with what I have until Twitter fixes some of the issues that it is currently having. However, I am sure Twitter will fix them, and at that point in time I am sure I will make the change.
Thanks again for posting this review!
~ Michael Novak
Michael Novak invites you to read…The Best Industry to Learn Leadership
You are very welcome, Michael; glad I could be of help.
~Ana
Like Josh, I am holding off for now. I run the Tweetmeme button on another blog and have decent performance out of that - it took awhile, though. The Tweetmeme button was too slow for me, in some of its early releases. BTW - how are you implementing the Like button? It validates fine on my blog, but I’m not using a plugin.
Roy Scribner invites you to read…Who Gives a Hootsuite
I don’t think TweetMeme button will be around for too much longer. From what I heard they will only run a Pro version of it.
I am using straight code for FB like button - I don’t even think there is a plugin for that (I know sounds like an oxymoron:). The code is not validating; I am surprise you said otherwise.
Thanks, Roy!
~Ana
Oops - you’re right, I forgot that I don’t show the button on the home page, which is usually what I validate on. It does fail on the “transparency” tag.
That makes sense.
Hey Ana,
I saw this button and read some of the pros and cons. I’m still going to hold off before I install it. It is great that Twitter step up and created a button to work with their platform. I’m going to wait till they release the next version. This way some of the kinks are ironed out. Thanks for mentioning it!
Chat with you later…
Josh
Josh Garcia invites you to read…The Secret of Networking With Bloggers
Might be a good idea, Josh!