Twitter says it is changing the contrast of its new buttons, as users complain about headaches after its redesign that some experts say isn't very accessible
TechCrunchAmanda Silberling
Context & Ripple Effects
Twitter’s latest interface update followed earlier web-navigation changes and introduced its proprietary Chirp typeface alongside stark black-and-white follow controls. The company is now revising one of those controls after feedback on the redesign’s high-contrast button treatment.
The change continues a pattern of iterative interface work, from the global desktop redesign rollout to the newer cross-platform visual overhaul. It matters because accessibility feedback is forcing a visible product correction immediately after launch.
First-order effects
Twitter will alter the contrast of its new buttons, directly addressing complaints that the redesign caused headaches and was difficult to access for some users.
Users affected by the high-contrast treatment should see the most immediate change in the redesigned follow and unfollow controls.
Second-order effects
Twitter’s design team must treat the button revision as a constraint on the broader redesign, including the visual system introduced with Chirp and the new controls.
The rapid reversal makes user-reported accessibility problems a more consequential launch signal for subsequent Twitter interface changes.
Third-order effects
If this feedback-to-revision cycle persists, Twitter’s redesign process will place accessibility validation earlier in decisions about typography, contrast, and navigation rather than treating it as a post-launch correction.
The trend: Twitter’s product-design cycle is moving toward faster iteration when a broad visual refresh creates accessibility friction.
I'd love to see the data on engagement with the new color scheme. Contrary to many people's impression, Twitter has been testing the new design for months, so they know that it works for whatever their KPIs are. https://twitter.com/...
@lilleyjuice
Jess Lilley on x
IMO the Twitter redesign is a mess. They've still got blue as their core colour but when you like something it's red and now the follow button is black and following is white I don't understand why you would change this one thing? So confused.
@lmaugustin
Larry Augustin on x
This is one of my pet peeves in UI design: buttons where you can't tell if they are selected or not. https://twitter.com/...
@essexcanning
Stephen Canning on x
Has a more confusing design change ever happened? https://twitter.com/...
@baekdal
Thomas Baekdal on x
This is kind of interesting. I too did feel that the new Twitter design was easier to look at, but I also did feel like my eyes were having a harder time... well... https://techcrunch.com/...
@johnlegere
John Legere on x
Another @Twitter accessibility win! https://www.theverge.com/...
@tuxedomakscos
@tuxedomakscos on x
Ok but is anyone else getting a slight headache from the Twitter font change or just me
@zacksjerryrig
JerryRigEverything on x
If your eyes hurt from the color of Twitters buttons... it might be time to go outside. https://twitter.com/...
@lunetsdaya
Ali De Haan on x
the new twitter font has cured my addiction to this bird app because i actually can't scroll without getting a headache now
@elizejackson
Liz Jackson on x
Twitter needs to stop referring to the knowledge and expertise of disabled people as feedback. Full stop. It is extractive, unpaying, and undignifying. They said ‘feedback’ 3 times in their 30 something word quote. Did they just cull our Tweets? Who got paid for this ‘feedback’? …
@asilbwrites
Amanda Silberling on x
I talked to web accessibility experts about this, the text you are currently reading on this website! https://twitter.com/...
@devilfruitbat
John Lonnon on x
@TwitterDesign Here, let me suggest your next step https://twitter.com/...
@treemershon
@treemershon on x
@refactorfiend @Carnage4Life We looked at it as an overdue correction. It's hard to adjust if you were used to the old ui, but it's more conventional and friendly to new users.
@carnage4life
Dare Obasanjo on x
While annoying, Twitter's change to invert the colors of the follow button make sense for the service. The button is a Call To Action and for Twitter it makes most sense to urge you to Follow someone. Emphasizing who you already follow doesn't encourage following new people. http…
@bluspringg
Naz on x
@TwitterDesign You could've just made the font changeable based on the user settings (and Android already did that! Not sure about iOS though) and made a lot of this under settings, instead of forcing it upon users that don't even want the change
@rigtoofen
@rigtoofen on x
@belleeeey_ @TwitterDesign It looks like the letters are doing the wave, I hate it.
@cd_mnemosyne
Mnemosyne on x
@eaJPark Read tweets with twitter's new font and get a headache. Then maybe you'll close your eyes out of frustration and eventually fall asleep 🥲
@yjmint_
Queen mystic cashier on x
came back to twitter only to get a headache because of the new font https://twitter.com/...
@sunrisegrove
@sunrisegrove on x
@queer_queenie ive heard several people say they have a headache and had to stop using desktop twitter for now
@isosteph
Stephanie on x
@jennschiffer the new black buttons for following someone feel like i am about to curse them with my newfound presence which i guess is like, accurate
@danielnewman
Daniel Newmaη on x
@TwitterDesign Twitter has now become your domestic partner😂! You get home and they are like “honey do you notice anything different? I've been working all day rearranging all of your stuff don't be mad, while I might feel weird at first you are going to love it!” 🤬🤬🤬😂 😂😂
@kaddiss_telelia
Birdthulu on x
@TwitterDesign yo it sucks. this font looks unfinished. hope you didn't pay them for a job well done cuz this aint even satisfactory. Not even close. I feel like i'm playing a retro video game from late 80's era. this isn't “easier” to read. who was your test focus group for this…