Twitter vs. X: Product Lessons For Startup Founders | The Breakdown

Rebranding

Rebranding a company involves complex decisions, particularly when aligning the name with product strategy. Tom Blomfield and David Lieb discuss the importance of choosing a name that is easy to spell and pronounce, and ideally, reflects the product's purpose. They emphasize that a name should bring meaning to the product, as seen with companies like Google and Amazon 1. Blomfield notes that changing a well-established name like Twitter to something as abstract as X can be risky, especially if the new name doesn't resonate with users 2.

   

Identity

Consistency in brand identity is crucial for user perception, and Twitter's rebranding to X has sparked debate. David Lieb points out that Twitter had achieved the rare feat of becoming a verb, a significant milestone for any brand 3. He argues that the change to X lacks clarity and consistency, potentially confusing users about the platform's purpose 2. Tom Blomfield adds that a clear articulation of a product's identity is essential for both the team and users to understand its intended use 3.