An Open Letter to Twitter #KeepTwitterAdFree

Dear Sir or Madam,

I mostly access Twitter using the iPhone mobile app. A while ago I noticed that Promoted Tweets started to appear in my timeline. I had noticed Promoted Trends and Promoted Accounts before, but this was the first time advertising had actually appeared directly in my timeline.

I strongly object to the use of Promoted Tweets in my timeline. It is like a company walking up to me in the street and interrupting in the middle of a conversation to market their product to me. I find it rude and offensive and have, until recently, been blocking all accounts that use Promoted Tweets, including products that I have an interest in; I really do find it THAT intrusive. However, I notice now that I am seeing Promoted Tweets from accounts that I have already blocked. This is particularly unacceptable to me; I should be able to block whomever I choose.

I understand that advertising revenue funds Twitter and allows you to continue to develop the site and mobile apps. I am content for other forms of advertising to continue (Promoted Trends, and promotions that appear outside my timeline are much less intrusive) but I personally feel that ads in my timeline is a step too far. I acknowledge that others will not feel as strongly about this as I do. All I ask is that you respect my wish to not have Promoted Tweets appear in my timeline; it would be nice if you stopping offering Promoted Tweets altogether but I realise that this is unlikely. It would be acceptable if I was able to block any account that uses Promoted Tweets.