Uses and Gratifications of Twitter: An Examination of User Motives and Satisfaction of Twitter Use

Abstract

Our study applied a uses and gratifications approach to investigate Twitteran internet medium and micro-blogging platform with both mass and interpersonal communication features for sharing short messages to others. Twitter user motives (gratifications sought) and the perceived fulfillment of these motives (gratifications obtained) were examined. In addition, satisfaction of Twitter use was investigated by comparing the differences between gratifications sought and gratifications obtained. Two factors important to the use of Twitter were identified: social motives and information motives. Analysis found that information motives are positively related to Twitter use. Although counterintuitive to the social aspects of an internet medium like Twitter, social motives were not significantly related to Twitter use. Data suggest that Twitter is used primarily as an information source, rather than as a medium for satisfying social needs.