Twitter Jail is a slang expression used to describe the limit of tweets (tweets), direct messages and followers per day. Twitter uses this method to reduce spammers and reduce error pages. Start by understanding the limitations that Twitter has set, then learn the tips below to avoid Twitter Jail.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Understanding Twitter Limits
Step 1. Start adhering to the limit of 100 tweets per hour
This includes retweets and links. If you exceed this limit, you will be in Twitter Jail for 1 to 2 hours.
Step 2. Don't tweet more than 1,000 times per day
If you exceed this limit, you will be in Twitter Jail until the next day.
Step 3. Reduce direct messages
The direct message limit on Twitter is 250 messages per day. If you cross this limit, you will be in Twitter Jail until the next day.
Step 4. Don't tweet duplicate content
If Twitter's system finds you retweeting the same link or repeated phrases, you could be sent to Twitter Jail.
- If you tweet duplicate content, you could be in Twitter Jail for several days.
- Limit the number of links in your tweet. Tweeting only external links is a real sign of a spam account, and you could end up in Twitter Jail.
Step 5. Limit how many people you follow in a day
- Following 1,000 people per day will get you in Twitter Jail for 1 day. Twitter calls this an "aggressive following."
- By following more than 2,000 people without having many followers, you can be limited from following new people to having a large number of people following your account.
- The limit of 2,000 following actions is calculated on a ratio basis. This is account specific and is not published at this time.
Part 2 of 3: Get Out of Twitter Jail
Step 1. Wait patiently
If you receive an error message when you tweet, message or retweet after being highly active, you are most likely in Twitter Jail.
- Read the steps above to see how long your account has been deactivated.
- The error message may read “Your Account Has Been Suspended.”
- Make sure you're not committing any other serious violation of Twitter rules. Read the rules at
- After a few hours or days, you can try tweeting again, which should be fine.
Step 2. Avoid sending tweets from multiple devices
Twitter also has API limitations. In other words, they limit the interaction between the app and the software much more than direct interaction with the Twitter site.
Many people find it easier to get into Twitter Jail if they use third-party Twitter clients, blogs, phone and computer applications
Step 3. Send an email to Twitter Support
If your account has not returned to normal, your account may have been flagged as spam.
- Send an email at twitter.com/support with your account name and issue.
- If Twitter thinks they've mistakenly linked you to spam, they'll recover your account and apologize.
- It may take a few hours for your account to return to normal.
Part 3 of 3: Managing Twitter
Step 1. Reduce the number of you tweets and retweets
Twitter has set what they believe are reasonable limits for personal tweets.
Look back over all your tweets for a week to see if you've managed to cut down on your tweets
Step 2. Create another Twitter account
If you don't want to limit your tweets or following, create a second or third free Twitter account.
Associate each account with each other, so you can more easily get followers who are already familiar with the first account
Step 3. Be selective in using the Twitter client
Choose whether you want to use a computer, phone or blog, then stick with that client instead.
Reducing the Twitter client will help you stay within API constraints and get you out of Twitter Jail
Step 4. Tweeting blogs can result in duplicate content
If you want to post a link to your own blog, link to your site from your Twitter account.
- Every time you post new content, your website can push it to Twitter.
- If you don't want to tweet new content yourself, it's better to link those accounts.
- Make sure other websites or blog editors don't update their sites more than 100 times per hour or 1,000 times per day, otherwise your blog could end up in Twitter Jail.
Step 5. Send a text message or email with a Twitter user who is a good friend or colleague of yours
- Limits of direct messages can be easily reached if used for work or important conversations.
- Reaching out via email or phone will save time with conversations or networking.
