Top Twitter Bots You Should Know: From Tweet Screenshots to Thread Unrolling

Twitter bots can boost your platform experience. Here are 5 useful ones:

1. Pikaso (@pikaso_me): Creates tweet screenshots
2. Beautify This (@poet_this): Makes tweets visually appealing
3. Thread Reader App (@threadreaderapp): Converts threads to articles
4. PingThread: Simplifies long thread reading
5. Snaptweet.io (@_screenshoter): Quick tweet screenshots

Quick Comparison:

These bots help with tasks like creating images, unrolling threads, and capturing tweets. Just mention them in a reply or use their websites. Note: Twitter's API changes may affect bot performance.

What Are Twitter Bots?

Twitter bots are automated accounts that act like human users. They're digital assistants that can tweet, retweet, like, follow, and message.

Bots fall into three categories:

1. Helpful bots: Find content or organize information

2. Fun bots: Entertain with jokes or weird tweets

3. Harmful bots: Spread fake news, spam, or invade privacy

Examples:

Twitter estimates 5% of accounts are bots - over 11 million active ones!

_"The term 'bot' has been warped in recent years to mischaracterize accounts with numerical usernames that are auto-generated..." - Twitter's Site Integrity team_

Not all bots are bad. Many are useful, like @Nuzzel, which curates top stories from your follows.

But there's a downside. During COVID-19, a Carnegie Mellon study found 82% of top coronavirus retweeters were bots, showing how they can spread info quickly.

So, that helpful weather update or thread unroller? It might be a bot - and that's not always bad.

Why Use Twitter Bots?

Twitter bots can enhance your platform experience. Here's why:

1. Save time: Automate repetitive tasks
2. Get info: Real-time updates on specific topics
3. Curate content: Discover and organize relevant posts
4. Improve readability: Make long threads easier to read
5. 24/7 availability: Interact with users anytime
6. Handle volume: Manage many repetitive tasks efficiently

Use bots wisely. Tamer Hassan, CEO of Human Security, says:

_"At its heart, a bot is a piece of code that mimics human interaction online."_

Bots can enhance your Twitter experience, but use them thoughtfully to keep interactions authentic.

1. Pikaso (@pikaso_me)

Pikaso turns tweets into shareable images. It's great for posting tweets on visual platforms like Instagram.

How to use:

1. Copy tweet URL
2. Paste into Pikaso's text box
3. Click "Get Image"
4. Download the image

Features:

• Platform-specific sizing
• Customization options
• Date and time stamp
• Protected tweet access (with authorization)

Soheil Rashidi, Pikaso's creator, says:

_"I created this tool for people who like to share their tweets on Instagram. It's much easier than taking screenshots and manually cropping them and the generated image looks more professional and clutter-free."_

Pikaso offers a website and Chrome extension. The free version has a watermark. Paid plans:

Power users can integrate Pikaso with Zapier to auto-post tweet screenshots to Instagram.

2. Beautify This (@poet_this)

Beautify This (@poet_this) turns tweets into eye-catching images. It's perfect for sharing tweets across platforms.

How to use:

1. Follow @poet_this
2. Find a tweet to beautify
3. Reply, tagging @poet_this
4. Add customization commands (optional)

Customization options:

• Remove likes/retweets: Just tag @poet_this
• Add color: Reply with color commands (e.g., @poet_this blue 1)
• Screenshot threads: Use @poet_this all

Useful for:

• Curating visually appealing tweets
• Creating engaging cross-platform content
• Highlighting important tweets or threads

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3. Thread Reader App (@threadreaderapp)

Thread Reader App turns long tweet threads into single, readable posts. It's perfect for following complex discussions without endless scrolling.

How to use:

1. Reply to any thread tweet with "@threadreaderapp unroll"
2. Quote Retweet with "@threadreaderapp unroll"
3. Visit Thread Reader website, paste tweet URL, click "Find Unroll"

The bot sends a link to the unrolled thread in blog-post format.

Method comparison:

Tips:

• For updates: Click "Force a refresh" on unrolled post
• Privacy: Can't access private/locked accounts or users who blocked it
• History limit: Accesses last 3,200 tweets per user

Useful for:

• Following breaking news
• Reading in-depth analyses
• Saving threads for later
• Sharing complex info easily

4. PingThread

PingThread simplifies reading long Twitter threads. It turns multi-tweet conversations into digestible formats.

How to use:

1. Find a thread
2. Reply to any tweet with "@PingThread unroll"
3. Wait for processing
4. Click the provided link to view unrolled thread

PingThread versions:

Both convert threads into readable formats.

PingThread stands out for simplicity and speed. Users can quickly transform threads without leaving Twitter or navigating complex interfaces.

Benefits:

• Quick thread unrolling
• Improved long discussion readability
• Seamless Twitter integration
• Web or in-app options

While new, PingThread is gaining popularity among long-form content readers on Twitter. Its straightforward approach streamlines the reading experience.

5. Snaptweet.io (@_screenshoter)

Snaptweet.io captures and shares tweet screenshots easily. It's great for saving tweets or repurposing content across platforms.

How to use:

1. Find a tweet to capture
2. Comment "@_screenshoter"
3. Wait for processing
4. Download or share the screenshot

Features:

Snaptweet.io is simple and fast. No need to leave Twitter or use complex interfaces.

Benefits:

• Quick tweet capturing
• Professional-looking screenshots
• Seamless Twitter integration
• Customizable appearance

Since April 2022, Snaptweet.io has gained 169.9K followers and is nearing one million shared screenshots.

For CLI fans, Snaptweet.io offers a command-line version with advanced features. Basic command:

snap-tweet <tweet URL>

Whether you're a social media pro or casual user, Snaptweet.io offers efficient tweet capturing and sharing.

How to Pick the Right Twitter Bots

Choose bots that add value without cluttering your feed:

1. Focus on specific functions

Pick bots that excel at one task:

• @threadreaderapp: Turns threads into blog posts
• @_screenshoter: Captures tweet screenshots
• @EarthquakeBot: Reports 5.0+ magnitude quakes

1. Check post frequency

Choose bots with balanced posting. @tinycarebot sends hourly break reminders - useful without overwhelming.

1. Look at follower counts and engagement

Popular bots often indicate usefulness. @threadreaderapp has 500,000+ followers.

1. Test before committing

Try a bot a few times before following long-term.

1. Prioritize official or verified bots

Choose reputable bots to ensure reliability and reduce spam risk.

Wrap-up

Twitter bots can boost your platform experience. Here's a recap:

These bots solve common Twitter challenges. @threadreaderapp's 500,000+ followers show its popularity for easier thread reading.

To start:

1. Pick 1-2 bots matching your Twitter habits
2. Follow and test their features
3. Adjust based on how they improve your experience