When and How to Merge Twitter Accounts in 2024

Want to keep your business and personal lives separate on Twitter? Or maybe you're looking to dive into politics, create a parody account, or become an influencer. Instead of mixing business with pleasure, you can create a second (or third) Twitter account and switch between them effortlessly.

Linking multiple accounts simplifies management, allowing you to maintain a consistent online presence while organising your activities. Twitter's built-in account-switching feature and tools like TweetDeck and Hootsuite make this even easier. In this guide, we'll show you how to create and link your Twitter accounts, share best practices for efficient management, and help you get the most out of your social media experience. Let's get started!

Why Link Your Twitter Accounts: Benefits of Merging accounts

Merging your Twitter accounts can significantly enhance your social media strategy by providing consistency, recognizability, and clarity, making it easier for you to manage your brand and engage with your audience.

3 Main Advantages of Merging Two Twitter Accounts

Consistency

Merging your Twitter accounts helps in maintaining a consistent brand message across all social media platforms. When you have one primary account, it becomes easier for marketers to plan, create, and post content. This consistency is crucial for brand recognition and reliability. Streamlining your efforts ensures that your brand's voice and message are uniform, whether you're handling profiles on Twitter or other social media channels. By having a single, cohesive presence, you can more effectively engage with your audience and build a stronger brand identity.

Recognizability

Combining multiple Twitter accounts into one enhances your brand's recognizability. A unified Twitter presence stands out more and makes it easier for your audience to identify and connect with your brand. Instead of spreading your followers and engagement across multiple accounts, consolidating them helps build a stronger social media brand. This cohesive presence not only resonates more with your audience but also simplifies your branding efforts, making your brand more memorable and impactful.

Clarity

Merging Twitter accounts provides clarity to your followers by presenting all aspects of your business under one unified banner. This approach avoids the confusion that can arise from having multiple accounts representing different parts of your company. A single, comprehensive account gives your followers a clearer understanding of your brand’s values, offerings, and identity. This clarity can lead to a more straightforward and engaging connection with your audience, potentially increasing conversions from followers to customers. Simplifying the way people connect with you online makes it easier for them to engage with your content and develop a relationship with your brand.

How to Create a Twitter Account

If you don’t already have a Twitter account, head to Twitter.com or open the mobile app and click the "Sign Up" button. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Sign Up

Enter your name (this can be whatever you want). Twitter will suggest a username based on your name, which you can change later.
Provide a phone number or email address and click "Next."

Privacy Settings

You’ll be asked if you want to be tracked when you see Twitter content on other websites. To turn off this option, check the box next to "Track where you see Twitter content across the web," then click "Next."

Confirm Details

Confirm your name, phone number (or email address), and date of birth. Click the "Sign up" button.
Click "OK" to receive a verification code via email or text. Enter the code and click "Next."
Create a password.

Profile Setup

Add a profile photo and bio. While adding a bio is optional, it’s recommended to upload a profile photo (400x400 pixels) because Twitter lets users block notifications from accounts with the default profile photo.

Choose Interests

Select your interests, and Twitter will suggest accounts to follow. Click "Follow" next to any names that interest you, or click "Follow" at the top of the screen to follow all suggested accounts. You can skip notifications if you prefer.

Sync Contacts

On mobile, you can sync Twitter with your contacts to find and follow friends.

Account Customization

You’ll be directed to your timeline page. Your display name and username (@ handle) will be visible at the bottom of the left pane.
To change these, click the "More" icon in the left pane and select "Settings and privacy."
Under "Your Account," click "Account Information" and then "Username." Change your username (up to 15 characters, with letters, numbers, and underscores only). Twitter will notify you if the name is taken or if you’re using unsupported characters. Click "Save" once you’ve chosen an acceptable username.
To change your display name, navigate to your Twitter page (twitter.com/[your username]), click "Edit Profile," and enter a new name under "Name." You can change your username and display name on both the web and mobile app.

How to Add a Second Twitter Account

Adding a second Twitter account is straightforward, but the process varies slightly between the app and the web.

On the Twitter App:

Open the App and Sign In

Open the Twitter app and sign in with your existing account.

Navigate to the Profile Icon

On an iPhone: Tap the hamburger menu in the upper left, then tap the three-dot Profile icon.
On an iPad: Tap the More icon and then tap the Profile icon.
On an Android device: Tap the profile icon in the upper left, then tap the down arrow.

Create or Add an Account

Tap "Create a new account" to go through the account setup process. You'll need to provide the same information as when you created your first account.
If you already have a second account and want to link it, tap "Add an existing account" and sign in with your other account details.

Multiple Accounts Listed

Once signed in, you should see multiple accounts listed in the app, allowing you to switch between them easily.

On the Twitter Website:

Create a New Account (If Needed)

Unlike the app, you must log out of your current account to create a new one on the web. Go through the standard account creation process as detailed earlier

Add an Existing Account

To link an existing account, sign in with your primary account. Click the three-dot icon next to your display name in the bottom-left corner.
Click "Add an existing account" and sign in with the details of your second account.

By following these steps, you can seamlessly manage multiple Twitter accounts, whether on the app or the web. This setup allows you to keep your personal and professional lives separate, or manage different projects and interests with ease.

How to Switch Between Twitter Accounts

After you’ve set up your second account, switching between your Twitter accounts is simple. On the website, click your username in the bottom-left corner to view all your connected accounts. Select the account you want to view, and you will switch to it. Keep in mind that if you connect an account on the web, you'll also need to connect it to the app, and vice versa.

Switching accounts on mobile devices varies slightly based on the device you're using. On an iPhone, tap the hamburger menu, then tap the Profile icon of the account you want. On an iPad, tap the More icon, then the ellipsis icon. For Android users, tap the Profile icon, then the down arrow, and select the username of the account you wish to switch to. This allows you to easily manage multiple accounts on both web and mobile platforms.

How to Disconnect a Twitter Account

If you decide you no longer want to juggle multiple Twitter accounts, you can simply log out of the extra account to remove it from the list. For a more permanent solution, you can deactivate the account entirely. To do this, open the account you wish to remove, navigate to Settings and privacy > Account, and select Deactivate your account. Follow the steps provided to deactivate the account, which will include entering your Twitter password to confirm the action.

While managing multiple accounts is an excellent way to keep your business and personal lives separate, it's important to use them responsibly. Creating fake accounts to harass or hassle others is against Twitter policy and not acceptable behaviour. If this is your intention, it's time to reconsider your actions rather than create another Twitter account. Managing multiple accounts should enhance your social media experience, not harm others.

Guide on Managing Twitter Accounts During Business Consolidation

A business consolidation is an exciting time as you join forces with another company to create a stronger, more potent entity. However, from a social media perspective, this can be challenging. With the formation of a new company, you need to build excitement around the venture while retaining your existing followers across both Twitter accounts.

If you’re merging two companies with different styles, the challenge intensifies. You might have completely different approaches to tweeting and engaging followers or significant differences in audience demographics. Additionally, if you were competitors before, unifying your followers can be particularly tricky. Sounds daunting? Here’s how to manage it smoothly.

Merge Twitter Accounts Through Your Dashboard

While you can’t directly merge Twitter accounts, you can manage them together on your desktop or mobile app. Log into your account, click the “More” button on the right-hand sidebar, and then the little “+” symbol. Choose “Create new account” or “Add existing account” to proceed. This process is similar for both iOS and Android apps. You can add up to five accounts this way, a handy tip to streamline your management.

Communicate With Your Followers

Twitter isn’t ideal for lengthy statements, so pin posts from your website or other social media platforms to explain the consolidation. Use the same messages across both Twitter accounts to build brand continuity and consistency right away.

Hire Influencers

If your followers respond well to influencers, consider hiring a few to spread the word and generate hype around your new brand. Find influencers through marketplaces, marketing agencies, or online searches.

Use Twitter Ads

During consolidation, you’re not just aiming to retain existing followers but also to attract new customers. Launch Twitter ads and run them across both accounts. Twitter ads are highly effective, with a 35% increase in ad engagement, meaning there’s an audience for your corporate ads. The average Twitter user enjoys targeted, specific content, making promotional yet informative ads very appealing.

By following these steps, you can manage your Twitter accounts effectively during a business consolidation, ensuring a smooth transition and continued engagement with your audience.

How to Manage Your Twitter Accounts During a Business Acquisition

When a larger company absorbs a smaller one, taking control of its assets, it's called an acquisition. While the acquiring company might make some branding adjustments to reflect the merger, the acquired company typically ceases to exist.

This process can present numerous marketing challenges, especially when it comes to managing Twitter accounts. Who decides how these accounts will be managed in the long term? If you decide to shut down the acquired company’s account, who sets the trajectory? These are just a few challenges digital marketing teams face, but here are some tips for moving forward.

Audit Your Twitter Accounts

First, assess both Twitter accounts to identify commonalities and differences. For example, you might sell similar products but tweet in different styles, or both accounts might be active, but with varying follower counts. Use your findings to determine how to move both accounts forward with more unity. If legal issues arise due to the merger, involve your legal teams to ensure compliance and proper handling.

Get Your Audiences Ready

Prepare your followers for the change by introducing them to the new company and its leaders. Post about the upcoming merger regularly to reach as many followers as possible. Engage in cross-posting: if you’re the acquired company, share tweets from the acquiring company’s account or tweet directly at them to get conversations going. Be available to answer questions promptly, as Twitter users generally expect a response within 30 minutes. If you can’t monitor DMs or tweets regularly, direct followers to an email contact.

Pin Important Tweets

Make it a habit to pin important announcements to the top of your Twitter profile. This way, your followers can always see crucial information like merger updates, logo or branding changes, and the official merger date.

Mergers can be challenging, but they also give you a chance to strengthen your company and build a strong online presence. Use this opportunity to showcase your brand effectively across all your social media accounts. By keeping important information pinned, you keep your audience informed and engaged, building trust and transparency.

Managing Your Twitter Accounts When You Change Your Business Name

Whether you’re rebranding or expanding into new products or services, a name change can herald a bright new future for your business. However, if you’ve been running your Twitter account(s) effectively, your followers will know you by a particular name or handle. Changing your Twitter handle or business name without warning can confuse your audience. Here’s how to communicate a business name change effectively:

Change Your Username

Go to your account settings and change your username to the new business name. Notify your followers beforehand so they know it’s still you. Use this opportunity to share your brand story and the reasons behind the name change. Consider running ads or other promotional materials to inform your audience.

Update Your Bio

Change your Twitter bio to reflect the new name. Since every follower sees your bio when they open your profile, updating it ensures maximum visibility. Pin a tweet with the details for additional clarity.

Contact Your Followers

If you’ve moved to a new account, you might lose some followers who didn’t get the message or decided to stop following you. Use marketing tools like Audiense or Sprout Social to identify these followers. Target them with ads or reach out via email to remind them of your new handle. Once you’re sure you’ve reached as many followers as possible, deactivate your old accounts.

How to Manage Your Twitter Accounts for Different Departments

Running multiple Twitter accounts for one business can be beneficial. It allows you to reach a wider audience and keep marketing content separate from, for example, your support desk. Segmenting your content across multiple accounts can improve customer service and overall user experience.

Check Your Metrics

Assess where your followers are. Ideally, they should be concentrated on your main marketing account. If higher follower numbers are spread across other accounts, investigate why. It could be due to insufficient promotion of your primary account or a lack of valuable content there.

Guide Your Followers Clearly

Make sure it's clear which Twitter account your followers should go to for different needs, like customer support or the latest updates. This way, your audience won't be confused about where to find the information they need, and they will stay engaged with your content.

Use Tools to Merge Twitter Accounts

Merge Twitter accounts across departments using social media tools. TweetDeck allows you to view multiple Twitter accounts simultaneously, schedule tweets, reply to DMs, and switch between accounts seamlessly. Buffer and Hootsuite are other useful tools to consider.

Conclusion

At present, Twitter does not allow companies to merge their Twitter accounts. Nevertheless, it is important to consider strategies that can help consolidate and establish a more identifiable and consistent brand presence online, while also avoiding the loss of followers over time.

Managing multiple Twitter accounts can be challenging, but it is certainly achievable with proactive planning and diligent brand management. By using strategic alternatives, you can maintain a strong, cohesive presence across your accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you link two Twitter accounts?

You can create as many Twitter accounts as you want, but you can only connect up to five accounts.

How do I merge my two Twitter accounts?

Currently, there is no official way to merge Twitter accounts. You can still operate two Twitter accounts as a cohesive unit from a marketing standpoint.

How do I toggle between two Twitter accounts?

To Switch Between Multiple Accounts On Twitter. Once you've added the accounts, you can switch between them with a single click. Just click on the three dots, and select the account you want to switch to.

Can you see if two Twitter accounts are linked?

Fortunately, others cannot see the accounts you've connected to Twitter. This is because each account is independent of the other despite you adding them to the same device.