How it works

Before you post anything on Twitter, you’ll now see an option to share it with either your circle or your full followers’ list. Circles can contain up to 150 people, and you can adjust who’s in and who’s out at any time. No one is notified of any changes one makes to the circle.

Tweets sent to your circle will appear with a "green badge" underneath them. They can only be seen by those selected to be in the circle and cannot be retweeted or shared. Additionally, all replies to these tweets are private, even if your Twitter account is public.

Anyone who wants the flexibility and control to send tweets to a smaller group can use this feature. Anyone on Twitter can be added to a circle, even if they don’t follow someone. Each account is allowed to have only one circle. Only you can see the full list of people in your circle.

Although people won’t see a list of circle members, when someone likes or replies to a circle tweet you share, members see your interaction, unless your account is protected. Also, people who are currently in your Twitter Circle can see any Twitter Circle tweets you’ve shared as well as any non-protected replies to those tweets.

Twitter says the new feature will ensure everyone on the platform has the choice, control, tools, and transparency to join the conversation how and when they want. The company claims since it started testing the feature, people shared they feel “more comfortable tweeting and expressing themselves”; it emanates the need for alternate or secondary accounts; and helps avoid toggling between protected and public account settings.

Some results from the company's 'Circle test' include increased overall tweeting and increased engagement -- likes and replies -- rate on circle tweets.

Meanwhile, Twitter is currently engaged in a bitter legal battle with Tesla Inc chief Elon Musk after the billionaire ended the $44 billion deal to buy the platform abruptly. Twitter has sued Musk in the U.S. Delaware Court of Chancery last month and the trial in the case is expected to start in October.

How Circle feature works

Twitter launches ‘Circle’ feature to allow closed group conversations