A Twitter bird looking at a sign saying 'Master Twitter Lists.'

Commanding the Twitterverse:The Insider’s Guide to Twitter Lists

Guides, Tips & Tricks / By
Illustration of a Twitter bird looking at two signs that say Master Twitter Lists

In an era of information overload, mastering your time on social platforms like Twitter is a crucial skill. Ever felt like you’re scrolling through a chaotic mashup of random tweets? Enter: Twitter Lists, the unsung hero of Twitter. Join us as we unpack the secrets that let you master Twitter Lists to organize and optimize your Twitterverse experience

Let’s go!

What’s up with Twitter Lists?

First, if you’re not familiar with the basics, let’s get you caught up. Twitter Lists launched back in 2009 to declutter your Twitter feed and allow you to organize and keep tweets in their own little homes— your Twitter Lists.  

Think of it like a set of personal playlists where you save the songs you love into their own perfectly mixed categories.  These are your dedicated Twitter Lists.

So, how do you create a Twitter List?

How to Create a Twitter List

Setting Up Twitter Lists Mastery: Step-by-Step on iPhone

How to create a Twitter List:

  1. Tap the  ‘Lists’ icon in your Twitter sidebar. 
  2. Hit the plus (+) icon to create your new list.
  3. Give your list a name, and add a brief description and an optional image. 
  4. Decide if you want your list to be public or private.
  5. Start adding accounts to your list. You can search for accounts or add accounts you’re already following.
  6. Once you’ve added all the members of your list, click Done.

If you need to edit members or  delete a Twitter List:

  1. Select the list you want to edit.
  2. Tap ‘Edit List.’
  3. Select ‘Manage Members.’
  4. Choose ’Remove’  next to the account you wish to delete from the list.
  5. To delete the list entirely, select ‘Delete List’ in the ‘Edit List’ menu.

Level up Your Twitter Lists:

Twitter Lists Mastery: Birds Gathered on a Branch

Here are some tips that will help you keep your Twitter Lists as organized and effective as possible: 

  1. Keep it Simple: Create lists with clear topics representing your interests. Less is more! 
  2. Quality over Quantity: Don’t overcrowd your lists. Make them easy to engage with.  
  3. Name it Right:  Give your lists clear, descriptive names so that you and others can understand their purpose.
  4. Stay Fresh: Keep your lists up-to-date by adding and deleting people as needed.
  5. Socialize: Like, retweet, and comment with the people on your list—this is how you grow your network and followers. 
  6. Share the Love: Promote your lists! Keep an eye on its engagement and growth, and invite others to subscribe and contribute.

Networking with Lists: Do’s & Don’ts

  • Be Real: Engage with List members authentically, and show genuine interest in their content and opinions.
  • Give to Get: Share valuable content, insights, or assistance. Establish yourself as a valuable connection.
  • Stay Consistent: Regularly engage with your Lists to maintain relationships and stay visible in your network.

10 Cool Ways to Use Twitter Lists

a painting of birds sitting on a tree branch

  1. Content Curation: Have specific interests? Create lists for each category and add relevant accounts. Your lists will keep you bang up to date with the latest happenings.
  1. Networking & Influencers: Create lists for your clients, competitors, and influencers to help you to keep track of key people in your industry.
  1. Event Tracking: Create a list of related accounts before or during an event or conference. Be the most well-connected person there!
  2. Privacy: Follow accounts in stealth mode by creating a private list. Useful for keeping an eye on your competitors!
  1. Job Hunting: List companies or clients you’d love to work for. Engage with their tweets, and learn about their culture and opportunities.
  1. Customer Feedback: Selling a product or service? Make a list of your most vocal customers. Track their opinions and keep an eye on potential issues.
  1. Fandom Lists: Stay updated on the latest news, fan theories, and content of your favorite shows, artists, or authors.
  1. Self Improvement: Track fitness, health, and productivity influencers to get daily tips to enhance your lifestyle.
  2. Location-Based Lists: When traveling, network posts from your local community or discover influencers and culture accounts. 

Virtual Time Capsule: Capture moments of cultural and historical importance and stroll back through time whenever you scroll through your feed.

Bonus Hacks

Who’s Subscribed: To see who’s subscribed to your Twitter lists, simply go to a specific list and tap ‘Members’ below the list title.

What Lists You’re On Curious about what lists you’re included in? Visit the main lists page, tap the ellipsis (…), and select ‘Lists you’re on.’

Discover New Twitter Lists: Use Twitter’s search feature and input keywords. In the search results, select ‘Timelines’ on the left-hand menu. 

Hitching a Ride: Subscribing to Public Twitter Lists

a painting of birds sitting on a branch

You can also join public Twitter lists created by others. On any interest list, tap the ‘Subscribe’ button—it’s your invite to some of the most knowledgeable parties in town.

We’ve listed ten below to get you started:

World News: From the BBC to the New York Times, breaking news and in-depth reporting hot off the press. 

Thought Leaders: With 368 members and over 4000 followers, this list is a hub for many hot-button issues for those on the progressive/left.

The Big Conservative List: With over 42,000 followers, The Big Conservative List connects you to influential thinkers on the right.

Futurists: Step into the world of tomorrow with 351 minds posting a curated collection of visionary perspectives.

Social Media Smarties: Blast open the doors of the social media universe. This list is a cornucopia of minds who have mastered the art of social media magic.

TechNews: From BBC to TechCrunch, your 24/7 stream of updates from the biggest technology news outlets.

Artbots: From Monet to Matisse and every brush stroke in between, this List provides a constant flow of artistic genius for art lovers everywhere.

AI/ML & Data Science: Cutting-edge chatter on artificial intelligence and machine learning. This buzz-worthy community has over 2,500 members and 18,000 followers. This feed is unpacking the future right now!

Brainfood: Where science, tech, and the interesting meet! Follow along and explore a delectable collection of brainy bytes for those with curious minds.

Fashion-Beauty: Where style meets soul, this list caters to fashionistas and beautiful people everywhere

Conclusion

Naive art image of a Twitter Bird looking off into the sunset


You now have all the information you need to become an absolute master at creating and using Twitter Lists! With Twitter Lists, you have a powerful tool to sort, organize, and streamline your Twitter journey, which can significantly enhance your online productivity.

But don’t go yet! There’s more we’d like you to explore: 

We’d also like to highlight the features of TwitterAudit. Your ultimate defense against bots and fake followers.

TwitterAudit enhances your Twitter profile with follower audits, bot protection mechanisms, and top-notch analytics. Track your engagement, mass delete your tweets, and protect yourself from the fakers and scammers of the Twitterverse. Your first audit is free! 

Until next time, happy tweeting!