Twitter Cards: A Simple Guide to Make Your Tweets Stand Out!

Are you curious about Twitter cards? Well, I’m here to help you understand what they are and how you can use them. So, let’s dive in!

First things first, what are Twitter cards? Think of them as magical tools that help you create unique and eye-catching tweets. They allow you to attach rich media (like images, videos, or links) to your tweets, making them more engaging and visually appealing.

But how do you use these Twitter cards? Don’t worry, it’s easier than you might think! Let me break it down for you:

The Basic Types of Twitter Cards:

1. Summary Cards: These cards show a preview of your content with a title, description, and an image. When someone clicks on the tweet, they are directed to your website or landing page.

2. Summary Card with Large Image: As the name suggests, these cards include a bigger and more attention-grabbing image. Along with the title and description, this card drives more clicks and enhances the visual impact of your tweet.

3. App Cards: If you have a mobile app, these cards are perfect for you! They provide a direct link to your app, making it easier for users to download or engage with it.

4. Player Cards: If you want to share videos or audio content, these cards are the way to go. With a player card, you can directly embed your media into the tweet, allowing users to play it right then and there.

How to Add Twitter Cards to Your Tweets:

Well, I’m glad you asked! Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for you:

1. Open your Twitter account and go to the Twitter Card Validator.

2. Enter the URL of the webpage you want to attach to your tweet.

3. Click on the Preview Card button to see how your tweet will appear.

4. If you’re happy with the preview, click on the Request Approval button.

5. Twitter will review your submission, and once approved, you’re good to go!

It’s important to remember that not all websites are eligible for Twitter cards. Make sure your website meets all the requirements before attempting to add a card.

So there you have it – a brief introduction to Twitter cards and how you can use them. Now it’s time to make your tweets shine and stand out from the crowd! Happy tweeting!

Twitter has always had a limitation – you could only use 140 characters per tweet. But despite this, clever small business marketers have found ways to use the platform successfully for years.

However, Twitter has now introduced something new called Twitter Cards, which have opened up a whole new world of possibilities. So let’s explore together and answer the question, What are Twitter Cards and how can you use them?

What exactly are Twitter Cards?

In simple terms, Twitter Cards are like supercharged tweets. Along with your 140-character message, you can now include images, videos, audio, and even download links.

These Twitter Cards stand out more than regular text tweets, which is a huge advantage in a world where social media is overcrowded. So let me give you a quick overview of the four types of Twitter Cards available right now:

Just so you know, there used to be a few more types of cards on Twitter, but now they’ve combined three of them into one.

Summary Card

The summary card is made to show you a sneak peek of what the content is about before you actually click on it. The stuff you see above the card is the tweet itself, and the info inside the card comes from the blog post that the tweet is connected to:

Summary Card with Big Picture

Today, I want to talk to you about a type of card called a summary card with a big picture. This card is really cool because it puts a lot of focus on the image. And you know what? A great image can bring in a ton of people to check out your content. How awesome is that?

Player Card

I’ve got something cool to share with you: player cards! They’re like little magic cards that let you watch videos and listen to audio right from a tweet. Isn’t that awesome? It’s a great way to keep your audience engaged! Let me show you an example of a player card with a video:

The App Card

Let me tell you about a cool type of card called the app card. This one is perfect for people who sell mobile apps. If you’re super pumped about the idea of your followers being able to download your app straight from Twitter, then this card is definitely for you.

How Can I Use Twitter Cards?

When it comes to using Twitter Cards, there are a couple of challenges I need to tackle.

The first challenge is that setting up Twitter Cards is not really easy. Don’t worry though – once everything is set up, using Twitter Cards becomes a breeze. It’s just the initial setup that can be a bit tricky.

If you’re comfortable with technology, Twitter offers helpful documentation to guide you through the process of using their Cards. However, I’d recommend taking this route only if you feel confident in your tech skills. But don’t worry, even if you’re not a tech pro, I have a convenient overview that will still help you benefit from Twitter Cards.

For those who are less tech-savvy, the best way to implement Twitter Cards is by using plugins and extensions. For instance, if your website was built with WordPress, you can start using Twitter Cards by using plugins like Jetpack or JM Twitter Cards.

Hey, listen up! I want to give you a heads up: if you want to use plugins to add Twitter Cards to your website, it might not be a walk in the park. But, there’s a silver lining! Twitter has actually created some helpful guides to assist you in getting started with plugins and extensions.

Now, let me warn you about the second challenge. If you don’t pin your tweet to the top of your Twitter feed, the Twitter Card won’t automatically show up. Yeah, it’s a bummer.

Check out these two images below. The first one shows a tweet with a summary Twitter Card as it appears at first glance. The second one shows the same tweet after someone clicked on the View Summary link. Take a look:

Alright, here’s the deal. I’m gonna tell you a little secret on how to get people to click that View Summary link. And trust me, there’s plenty of cool and creative ways to do it. For instance, you could send out a tweet like, Hey, wanna see the awesome prize you could win in our giveaway? Just click the Show Summary link! You can definitely come up with something even more clever than that, I believe in you! #128578;

Oh, and if you’re interested in learning more about how to display your Twitter Cards right from the start, Twitter has some great tips for you to check out.

Getting Approval for Twitter Cards

But here’s the thing – before you can start using Twitter Cards, there’s one more thing you need to do: validation. Yup, there’s always another hurdle to jump, isn’t there?

According to the steps at the bottom of this page, you gotta Run your URL against the validator tool to test. If you’re using a Player Card, you need to request approval for whitelisting. But don’t worry, all other Cards don’t need whitelisting.

Let me show you an example of how a summary card gets validated:

Look at that beautiful green field on the left! It means we got our domain whitelisted for summary cards. Woohoo!

Uh-oh! Validation can be a bit tricky if you made a mistake during your Twitter Card setup. But don’t worry, I’ve got some helpful troubleshooting tips for you. Just click here and we’ll get you through it!

Remember what I said earlier? Player cards have some extra rules, so validating them can be a bit more challenging. Don’t worry though, I’ve got all the ins and outs for you right here. Just click this link and you’ll discover all about this awesome but tricky type of Twitter Card.

So here’s the deal:

If you can tackle the technical and functional challenges I mentioned earlier, Twitter Cards can seriously level up your social media game.

Why? Well, Twitter Cards are super attractive and engaging. And guess what? That means more traffic for you, driving people right to your awesome content, where your marketing messages and offers are waiting to wow them.