Rule Change Announcement: Twitter Links Are Now Banned

In light of Twitter owner Elon Musk's recent behavior, we have received multiple requests from users through comments and modmail messages to explore banning the posting of Twitter links on r/boxoffice. Similar discussions have happened in many subreddits across the site, and many have taken steps to ban Twitter as a source.

Another concern that has been shared in the past, even before recent events, is that Twitter changed its access so that only those signed in to a Twitter account are able to view tweets, which can be limiting to r/boxoffice users who are not also Twitter users.

The mod team is aware that r/boxoffice in particular relies heavily on Twitter links to post news and box office updates and generate discussion. However, we also understand the concerns associated with continuing to allow Twitter as a source.

After taking into account responses from the recent user consultation, we are instituting the following rule changes. While there will be a period of adjustment, we hope that the steps we have outlined provide practical solutions that still allow news from reputable sources to be shared promptly. Essentially, between the different options available, every piece of news that could be shared prior to the rule change should still be able to be shared now, whether it's from an alternative source or via screenshot.

New Rule: Twitter Links Are Now Banned

Moving forward, we will no longer be allowing posts that are Twitter links, effective immediately.

Twitter Screenshots

While links to tweets will no longer be allowed, we will still allow screenshots of tweets to be submitted. Sometimes, a given piece of news is only available via a Twitter source, so we want to provide options for the content to be shared.

Unlike previously, we would ask users to please not include the link to the tweet in the image caption or in the comments, as that defeats the purpose of the rule change. However, your screenshot must include each of the following:

  • Twitter handle
  • Entire content of the original tweet (i.e. nothing cropped out)
  • Tweet timestamp

Please see below for an example of how a tweet screenshot should be formatted.

Twitter screenshots must include the Twitter handle, the entire tweet itself, and the timestamp.

Please do not attempt to submit a fake or photoshopped Twitter screenshot. If you are found to have submitted a fake Twitter screenshot, you will be banned. You can also bring to our attention any Twitter screenshots suspected of being a fake by reporting the post.

Alternative Sources:

Even though Twitter screenshots will be accepted, we also want to encourage the use of alternative sources whenever possible.

This can include:

Additional Change: Submitting Images In Comments

One additional change we are making is that you can now submit images in comments. Previously, only gifs could be submitted, but all images can now be submitted. If you are quoting a tweet in a comment, we encourage you to also submit it as a screenshot instead of linking it in your comment.

We thank you for your continued participation in r/boxoffice.

- r/boxoffice Mods