Twitter has announced a policy update set to take effect this Sunday that restricts users from posting links to other social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, or Mastodon, and from sharing usernames tied to those competing platforms.
The social network, led by Elon Musk, explained that free promotion of certain platforms will be blocked. The announcement was shared in a post addressing social networks and how they relate to Twitter’s ecosystem.
The change follows a period when many users critical of Musk’s leadership began cross-promoting their profiles on alternative networks like Mastodon or Post, which act as direct competitors to Twitter.
The scope of the policy appears broad and could result in the suspension of any user who shares content from other platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Truth Social, Tribel, Post, and Nostr.
According to an update on Twitter’s site, the platform will remove links to these networks or posts displaying a user’s handle on those networks, and it will also ban the use of popular link aggregators such as Linktree.
YouTube and TikTok noted
When violations occur, Twitter will enforce the policy whether it is a single incident or a first-time offense. A user may see tweets deleted or experience temporary restrictions on their account.
In ongoing cases or repeated violations, Twitter has said it could impose permanent suspensions, and it affirmed that accounts primarily dedicated to promoting content on other social networks may also face removal.
Observers and users are advised to review their posts for any references to competing platforms and to consider how these rules might affect both personal and professional accounts on Twitter.
Experts note that policy shifts like this can influence how people share information, broaden their online presence, or direct audiences across networks. The evolving landscape of social media policy continues to prompt discussions about free expression, platform loyalty, and the practical implications for creators and brands alike [Source attribution: Twitter policy update].