All Things Digital

Skip to main content.

MediaMemo

Wal-Mart Embraces Twitter, but Not Brevity

paperFiguring out Twitter’s business model may be complicated, but using the service isn’t: It’s fast, short and to the point. Unless you’re the world’s biggest retailer.

If you want a nice snapshot of the way corporate culture and legalese can make even the simplest things mind-bogglingly complicated, head to Wal-Mart’s (WMT) Twitter page. Now click on the “terms of use” link.

That long, long, long slug of text? That’s 3,692 words, and 23,105 characters–the equivalent of 160 Tweets.

Thanks to Microsoft (MSFT) social media guru Danah Boyd for pointing this one out.

[Image credit: sunlight foundation]

Comments

  1. more evidence that twitter is just a new way to do pr

    Posted by Sam Harrison at July 9th, 2009 at 1:21 pm

Add a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment. Sign up here or log in below.

Comments posted on this site must be signed with your full, real name. Please see our Comments policy for details.

Latest MediaMemo Videos

More Videos »

About Peter

Peter Kafka has been covering media and technology since 1997, when he joined the staff of Forbes magazine. Most recently, he has been the managing editor of the tech and media Web site, Silicon Alley Insider. Read more »

Send an Anonymous Tip »

Ethics Statement

Here is a statement of my ethics and coverage policies. It is more than most of you want to know, but, in the age of suspicion of the media, I am laying it all out.

Read more »