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Twitter lets you turn your livestreamed monologues into chats with guests

Trevor Mogg
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While Twitter is best known for people’s ability to squeeze profound thoughts, witty ripostes, and objectionable retorts into 280 characters or less, the team behind the microblogging app has also been gently pushing the video element of its service in recent years.

Those who like to fire up live broadcasts on Twitter are now able to invite others to join the stream, which could certainly add some fireworks to proceedings depending on the subject matter. Up to now, the person operating the livestream could only interact with viewers’ chat messages that appeared in real time on the display.

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The new feature, which mirrors the one added to Twitter-owned Periscope earlier this year, lets you bring up to three people into your livestream, transforming it from a monologue into a conversation. But take note, you’ll only be streaming audio of your guests, not video.

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“Whether it’s #NBATwitter or #DemThrones, you can discuss your interests with anyone around the world and actually hear their perspective and reactions in real time,” the San Francisco-based company said in a post announcing the new feature.

If you’d like to add someone to your Twitter broadcast, that’s easy to do. First, open the camera by swiping left from your timeline, or by tapping the camera icon in the tweet composer. Next, tap the live mode at the bottom, then on the double-face icon at the top right, which allows viewers to request to join the stream.

After that, when you begin your broadcast and someone asks to participate, a notification will appear in the chat. If you’re cool with that person joining, tap on the double-face icon and start chatting! Oh, there’ll be a five-second countdown in the run-up to them coming on board, too.

If for whatever reason you want to remove a guest from your livestream, just tap the “x” at the top right of their avatar.

For those on the outside looking in who are keen to join as a guest, tap the double-face icon and then tap “ask to join.” Again, if you’re accepted, a five-second countdown will appear on the screen, giving you notice that you’re about to join the broadcast. If you have a sudden change of mind, just tap the cancel button.

And remember, your audio will be heard by everyone watching the livestream, not just the person — or people — with whom you’re chatting.

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Trevor Mogg
Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
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