Why does Twitter have limits?
Twitter limits alleviate some of the strain on the invisible part of Twitter, which prevents error pages and down time on the visible part. For the sake of reliability (fewer robots and whales) we've placed limits on actions like following, API requests per hour, and number of updates per day. This doesn't restrain reasonable usage, and will not affect most people. Although the limits are a recent addition to Twitter, we've always been about limits, starting with 140 characters per update. We embrace the idea that constraint inspires creativity.
What are the limits?
We're starting with a few limits based on various parameters, and we'll be adding more as time goes on. We reveal some limits only when you reach them, and tell you about others in advance. Twitter currently applies limits to any person who reaches:
- 1,000 total updates per day, on any and all devices (web, mobile web, phone, API, etc. )
- 1,000 total direct messages per day, on any and all devices
- 100 API requests per hour
We've also placed limits on the number of people you can follow. The number is different for everyone, and is based on a ratio that changes as the account changes. If you hit a follow limit, you must balance your follower/following ratio in order to follow more people- basically, you can't follow 50,000 people if only 23 people follow you. Based on current behavior in the Twitter community, we've concluded that this is both fair and reasonable.
What if I hit a limit?
People using multiple API clients at once may see the per hour API request limit, as usual. (You can request whitelisting if your app can't function with limits.) Aside from that, most people will not be affected. If you do reach a limit, we'll let you know with a handy error message letting you know which limit you've hit. With the exception of the follow limit, all limits are time based, so you'll be able to try again in 24 hours. If you have problems with limits, visit our troubleshooting page for more information.
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