In the Social Media Battlefield: Facebook vs.

Twitter
The onset of social media has transformed the way people interact around the world: chats
are in due to their convenience; pictures are shared in just a click; news are spread in one sitting;
information is disseminated through one simple push of a button. Way back its beginning years,
social media has not only shocked people but excited them. People suddenly want to have a
Friendster account, a Facebook, a Twitter, a Google +, a Youtube, an Instagram, a Tumblr, a Flickr,
etc.
Definitely, blame shall not be put to anyone—who does not want to have a Friendster
account wherein profiles can be customized? Who does not want a Youtube account wherein you
can subscribe to your favourite channels? Indeed, there is a huge step for mankind (as Neil
Armstrong coins it) that social media has pioneered, which has never been done before; that is, the
way technology has been utilized to connect to people around the world in the quickest ways
possible. And, there are no other social media sites today that could be as popular in doing such
other than Facebook and Twitter—the stars of the social media networking.
What do Facebook and Twitter bring to the battlefield?
Facebook’s important features include its use of the News Feed (or the home page),
Friends, Timeline, Pages, Group Chats, Messenger, Applications, Status, Polls, Pokes, Gifts,
Links, Followers, Uploads, and Downloads. On the other hand, Twitter has the following: Tweet,
Retweet, Direct Messaging, Follow, Links, Videos, Photos, Trending Topics, Hashtags, Tweet
activity, Media, and Likes. Generally, Facebook is a social media site, providing various activity
platforms like applications and the Messenger; on the other hand, Twitter is a social networking
site concentrated on users posting through short 140 character texts called the “tweets,” which can
be liked, retweeted, or quote retweeted.
Around the world, Facebook has around 1 billion users, available in 140 different
languages; Twitter has approximately 500 million users, available in 29 languages. Both sites
provide an option for liking and sharing: Facebook has the “like” and the “share” buttons; Twitter
has the “Favorite” and “Retweet” buttons. Whether they can be seen by the public or just by your
Friends (in Facebook) or Followers (Twitter) depends on the privacy settings a user has chosen for
his account; however, Facebook provides more options to the user with regard to its privacy
settings, unlike Twitter which can only be set to “Public” or “Private.”
On the main interface of Twitter, users can already see the Trending Topics, which is a list
of the top ten most tweeted about topics around the world or around a local area. Commonly, these
topics have the hashtag sign (#) before them. On the other hand, Facebook does not really provide
on its main interface the “Trending Topics” option unless a user searches in the “Search” tab at
the top of the Facebook interface. Twitter has a more limited options on its main interface, focusing
more on Trending Topics and the tweets of those a user follows, unlike Facebook which provides,
not just the posts of a user’s friends, but also a list of active users online, the real-time activities of
your friends (this option can be turned on), people’s chats popping up, and links to various Features
of Facebook like the pages, groups, and games.
 Which is better for you: Facebook or Twitter?
Various community members from National University-Manila have been asked regarding
their opinion about which of the two social media sites are better, at least in their own opinions.
“Maaaring ikumpara ang Facebook sa isang convenience store. Naibibigay nito ang basic
needs ng isang tao sa virtual world: status post, chat, games, nakakanood ng isang video clips at
minsan ay pelikula pa, at nagagamit pa kadalasan sa academics tulad ng pagsesend ng
documents/files at nakakagawa ng groups for online discussion. Mararamdaman mo rin yung
sense ng "kapwa" na kahit virtual community ito, you'll never walk alone; na mayroong dadamay
sa'yo kahit hindi mo sila kilala (basta naka-public ang post). Sa Twitter naman, magiging unfair
ako kung ikukumpara ko ito sa Facebook kasi hindi ko talaga ginagamit ang account ko. Limited
lang din kasi ang Twitter kaya hindi ko masyadong na-eenjoy.”
-Jeffrey Rosario Ancheta Himanities & Social Sciences – CEAS
“Mas madami kasi nakakapag-open ng fb lalo na free data. Pwede na siya ma-access
unlike ng Twitter. Saka mas madaming users ang fb. Ang maganda naman sa Twitter ito yung
pangmadaliang news na pwede mo ilagay like ung mga catchy headline. Kadalasan kasi sa Twitter
mas gusto nilang nakikita sa feed nila ung maikli at direct to the point na article plus infographics
para mas ma-engganyo sila basahn. Halos same din naman siya sa Facebook ng advantages kaso
if papansinin natin sa busy sa work, lahat ng nakikita ko fb talaga pampalipas ng time saka mas
madali i-access so mas madaming tao ang makakakita kapag doon gumawa.”
-Nicole Kelly Sagabaen, CpE student
“Well, as I said, I'll choose both, kasi both are good in their own purpose. I use twitter to
express whatever I feel, in whatever mood I am which, I think is not appropriate in Facebook. I
could also see and feel what my friends feel without us being labelled as 'drama queens' or 'fame
whores.' Facebook, on the other hand, is what I use to communicate with my family, and friends.
May Messenger kasi siya. I also learn a lot of things, be it entertainment, literature, or be updated
to news relevant for me. I could also connect to people of the same ibterest by being included in
groups or group chats, which I believe is not available in twitter. I could also upload photos there
or post statuses and get more reactions than in Twitter.
– Eileen Joie V. Lacson, BSA student
“Para sa’kin twitter kasi nakakapaglabas ka ng saloobin mo tapos wala namang
pakielamanan sa kung ano man yung tweet mo. Sa facebook kasi pwedeng pag-usapan nila kung
ano man yung i-post ko tapos kung ano pa sabihin nila about sakin ganun.”
-Krischenne Jessica C. Duque, BSA
student
“For me, I think mas okay ang Facebook compared sa Twitter kasi naca-cater na niya
yung function ng both Twitter and Instagram.”
-Andrew B. Aquino, BSME student
 “If you want to simply express your thoughts, I think Twitter is better, but if you intend to
connect with other people, then go with Facebook.”
-Janzene Paul Gonzales, BSME student
Based from their opinions, Facebook is favoured because of its multi-functionality and ease
of accessibility, and Twitter is favoured because it serves as a more private space for individuals
and its ability to provide quick and brief updates. Some argued that one social media is better than
the other one depending on the circumstances and depending on criteria: i.e. Twitter has quick
updates while Facebook is easily accessible.
In the end, both Facebook and Twitter can bring something into the table. Though they
might seem to be a competition, people can conclude that it really is a tough competition for both
the social media networking stars. Moreover, it is not that difficult anymore to find someone who
both has two accounts, believing in the relative or unique ways these two social media sites can
connect to the world to share, update, inform, and maybe, inspire. A little bit of tension can still
be felt between these two giants, but at least, people shall be thankful how they continue to be
dynamic to the needs of its users and how they persist to improve as time passes by. Main point
is: People still benefit. So, you, dear reader, which do you prefer: Facebook with its versatility or
Twitter with its “safe space” vibe?