Twitter Tip: Use a Private List to “Test Follow” People
Have you ever wanted the ability to easily try people out on Twitter without actually following them? Perhaps you followed someone based on a recommendation, but then you discover they tweet every five minutes on a topic you care nothing about. Instead of following/unfollowing, begin by putting them on a private list that you use to monitor their tweets. One of the nice features of Twitter lists is that you do not need to follow someone to put them on list. If you like what you see you can easily move them from the bench to your active follow roster. Here are the steps involved, including few screenshots to demonstrate the process.
*Caveats* This only works with people who have not restricted their Twitter activity. The process described below assumes you create the list via the twitter.com website.
1. Create Your List
- In the right-hand column on the Twitter homepage, click the “New List” link in the Lists section.
2. Enter List Details
- A dialogue box will appear for you to enter the details of the list, including name and description.
- The important part here is the last field called “Privacy”. Be sure to mark the list “Private”, or everyone will be able to see that you maintain a probationary list, along with the names of everyone on it.
3. Add Users to Your List
- Now whenever you find someone you aren’t sure you want to follow actively you can simply add them to your trial list.
- From their profile page click the List button and add them to your private list.
4. View Your Private List
- Simply open the list in whatever Twitter client you use to view the stream from these accounts.
- If you decide that one of them interests you enough to follow, then visit their profile page, click follow and also remove them from your private list.
