Tweeters get cheeky after Twitter ups character limit

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Thumb hovering over Twitter applicationImage source, PA

Twitter has announced it is trialling a new 280-character limit to allow users to "easily express themselves" - but the site's users have been predictably snarky.

The fun started when Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey took to the social media platform on Tuesday to announce the change.

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Journalist Caitlin Kelly was one of the first to edit his rambling tweet back down to the current 140-character limit.

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Others made fun of the current practice of stringing together multiple tweets, which already allows users to express longer ideas.

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Some pointed out that extending the character limit was not one of the changes Twitter users had been calling for.

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Many seemed to struggle to fill their newly allocated character limits.

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While others played with the present 140-character restriction.

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Some people expressed concern about what US President Donald Trump, who is known for his candid tweets, might achieve with the new character limit.

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Gifs and images summed up other users' feelings.

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Mr Dorsey seemed unperturbed by the criticism, which he tweeted "comes with the job". He encouraged users to give the new character limit a chance.

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At the moment, the 280-character limit is just a trial for some members, and the company has not said whether it will roll out the change more widely.