uTwitter Takes Down Background Images, Doesn’t Explain Whyr

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  (Tom Raftery)

  Have you checked Twitter today? If so, then you may have noticed a few things. First, that beautiful background image you carefully selected to show a bit of your personality is no longer decorating your page; instead, it’s been replaced with a plain white void. The result: this new version of Twitter looks an awful lot like Facebook: a small profile picture on the left and a long photo of your choosing plastered at the top of the page.

  Mashable reports that Twitter began removing users’ background photos on Monday, giving little explanation for the abrupt change.

  A spokesperson for the social networking site confirmed the change, but didn’t specify why exactly Twitter is making the overhaul.

  “We’re removing background images from the home and notifications timelines on web for all users,” a Twitter spokesperson told Mashable. “Now, background images are only available where logged-in users will see them publicly (Tweet pages, list pages and collections pages).”

  So what this means, essentially, is that perhaps your most visited pages on Twitter – your profile and timeline – is plain jane, while some of your less frequently viewed pages – like that list of loud mouth celebrities you follow or an individual Tweet – are still decorated with your stunning, personally chosen background image. It just seems a bit, well, odd.

  We’re not the only ones left scratching our heads over Twitter’s change of pace: users were quick to Tweet their outrage and confusion over their now barren backgrounds.

  Also holy mackerel, vanilla twitter is sooo….vanilla. White everywhere! Changing the background on your page DOESN'T change the homepage!

  — Supervinh47 (@Supervinh47) July 21, 2015

  I don't like how Twitter has removed my background image. It looks so plain.

  — Regina Phalange (@whtabtpineapple) July 21, 2015

  Well, thanks, @twitter, for taking away that SOOOOO confusing background that made the site SOOOOO difficult to use.

  — Scarlett Parrish (@scarlettparrish) July 21, 2015

  I really hate that Twitter took away the background image feature. I took an amazing shot in San Diego and now it's gone.

  — TL (@CAN1SAY) July 21, 2015

  I miss my Twitter background. However, I can't really remember what it looked like!

  — peg caruso (@pegc4) July 21, 2015

  This white background is TOO MUCH pls sort it @twitter

  — -*- shannen -*- (@shannenchelsea) July 21, 2015

  #twitter I want my background back

  — scoutprime (@scoutprime) July 21, 2015

  While many users expressed their displeasure with the new look, others questioned whether Twitter removed the custom backgrounds for other, more lucrative means of its own.

  Pretty sure Twitter will unveil banner ads soon now that background images have been taken down.

  — Kaus (@thewisecrab) July 21, 2015

  wait is @twitter about to fill the background with ads??????????? #dontdoit #justsayno #imgonnahavetosellmystock

  — charlene mcbride (@ursonate) July 21, 2015

  Mashable reports that Twitter’s move on Monday isn’t its first when it comes to utilizing subdued profiles. The company apparently started favoring the blank background last year after a redesign. At that time, new users to the site weren’t given the option to customize their pages.

  Twitter just removed your homepage wallpaper, and people are furious [Mashable]

  
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by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist