Here are some of the most common reasons people use “via” instead of “RT” for retweeting. Be sure to also read the “Retweet Glossary, Syntax and Punctuation.”
“I use ‘RT’ when I need to do a direct quote and the statement wouldn’t make any sense if the reader thought it was coming from me. (E.g., ‘RT @lessallan ‘A new version or website is up. Go check it out! http://lesseverything.com’) But I use ‘via’ when I’m just sort of passing along information. (E.g., ‘Tweetie for Mac is available. Go download it! (via @lessallan)’.) In summary, ‘(via)’ is like citing a source, RT is a direct quote.” Source
“Some people use ‘via’ … meaning that they just found out about it from this person, and they’re not necessarily quoting them.” Source
“We use via … to reword a tweet (maybe even a link) into our own tweet with our own input into what we think about it, but giving some of the credit to the original poster of the material.” Source
“… ‘via’ on the other hand is used when you want to add your own context to some existing tweet while attributing it to the original author.” Source
“Via is very useful when you want to … simplify the original tweet.” Source
“The use of via is clearly giving credit to the original Tweeter. But, most importantly, I get to convey this information in my own words.
“Tips for using ‘via @’ … contribut(e) in your own words something relevant to the content…” Source
“… use “via” to simplify and highlight the original tweet. Particularly when passing on inspirational quotes.” Source
“… use via if rewording the tweet …” Source
Some people complain of fatigue from seeing “RT” in front of so many tweets, and claim to skip them without reading. Using “via” at the end is therefore also a way to put the information first and the credit/attribution last, as is more common in non-tweet forms of writing. Also, some apps automatically use via without an option to choose (credit: @rslaats) as via has been growing in popularity. This automatically allows for comments but best would be to offer users a choice.
Originally published at: http://controltheweb.blogspot.com/2009/11/twitter-retweets-why-do-some-people-use.html
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been using via when retweeting a retweet.
For example:
RT @originalposter via @personIfollow some clever or funny tweet. ~~ my comment, if any. #optionalhashtag
Am I using it wrong?
People use attributions in so many ways nowadays (and apps default to different methods) that there aren’t really too many “wrong” ways anymore. But you may be interested to read “Retweet Glossary, Syntax and Punctuation” about some of the different methods and see if you find one you like best.
That said, your way is just fine
I thought when you retweeted an edited tweet, you used “MT” for modified tweet. It only takes up 2 characters and a space while “via” takes up 3 characters and two spaces. If I am adding a thought, sometimes those 2 extra characters/spaces makes a difference. If I am not adding a thought though, I just click the Retweet link.
You’re doing it right! That works
But be sure to also read the “Retweet Glossary, Syntax and Punctuation” that has information on all the different variants.
I just use the retweet button!
That works great…unless you want to add a comment to your retweet.
For Twitter direct quotes, I stick with the classic RT. It’s so entrenched that I don’t feel right using anything else.
If I quote something on Facebook, I may use “via,” even if I’m quoting it in a tweet. TweetDeck offers “FB RT:,” but that doesn’t convey the originator’s identity. I’ll try to mention the person if I know his/her Twitter ID.
I’m pretty much the same. Standards have shifted over the years as well. “How should you credit retweets?” and “Retweet Glossary, Syntax and Punctuation” have some further thoughts on the matter.
Just wanted to say I really like your site and will definitely be back!
I use via when to cite a source that didn’t come from someone else’s tweet or my own blog or website. In other words, if I find an interesting article and tweet about it, I like to give credit to either the article source or the author by using “via Enterpreneur.com,” for example.
On blip.fm i use (via) more then on twitter
just addapted the way of how the other users communicate
later on using the RT to exact re-copy text while the
(via) most is an edited version of the original.
I also have been using RT as a kind of aproval vote
for the message towards the sender. Some use “ditto”
The RT is also a means to echo(republish) the message
public for all followers to see; any writing before
the @username makes the total message public for all
to see in the timeline you share with followers.
SEO Themelis Cuiper
Social Media – market analyst
http://twitter.com/themelis_cuiper
I use “via” (route)because it is a Portuguese word in my native language.
Good Tips, will follow them, I hv to confess tht I have used via in place of RT in few(2-3) of the tweets; Thanks for the info
Hi,
I’d don’t like standard RT because it quickly becomes messy.
I use /via a lot but I use /by when the tweet is left intact or the link to the article is by that person
I sometimes use quotes to help differentiate between my thoughts and the authors, eg
“Twitter buys out Foursquare” well well! /by @mashable /via @jojet
@joel_hughes
i agree: RT = direct quote (saves quotation-marks” while via is INDIRECT speech, reporting where we got the idea from (actually it’s called a paraphrase).
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