Twitter could be working on its own version of Reddit awards, according to a prominent social media leaker.
The rumor comes from Jane Manchun Wong, a security researcher who was recognized by Forbes last year for, "uncovering previously announced features on apps like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook through her intensive digital detective work."
Earlier this month, Wong tweeted what appears to be a Twitter screenshot of the unreleased Twitter Awards feature.
Here’s the list of Twitter Awards: https://t.co/PpgHebBWD6 pic.twitter.com/BePDVAkzhy
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) January 5, 2023
The rumored feature looks very similar to Reddit's own awards system. On Reddit, users can award posts or comments they like by using Reddit Coins. In the image in Wong's Tweet, you can see what appears to be Twitter's version of Reddit Coins, represented by a gold coin with the Twitter logo.
The listed awards appear to be a combination of Reactions and Medals, to borrow Reddit terminology. The list of Twitter Awards shown includes Mind Blown, Bravo, Super Like, Helpful, Bullseye, Hilarious, Gem, Crown, Rose, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Wong says Twitter has been working on this feature for a while, going through a number of "pivots and barriers over the past year."
If Wong's claims are accurate, it seems this feature was in development long before Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter became official. The Musk-Twitter saga quickly became IGN's biggest news story of 2022, as the platform has undergone rapid shifts since the takeover. Some of the new ideas have included paywalled video, paying for verification, suspending accounts for promoting other social media platforms, and more. If you're tired of all the Twitter drama, you can check out the best Twitter alternatives.
Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN covering video game and entertainment news. He has over six years of experience in the gaming industry with bylines at IGN, Nintendo Wire, Switch Player Magazine, and Lifewire. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.
