Why I Stopped Using Hummingbird Twitter Automation Software

Hummingbird software which helps automate Twitter follower and following activities, was released just a few short months ago and has been a great tool for marketers who want to build targeted following on Twitter.  However,  the guys at Mesiab Labs have had some major issues of late (changes at Twitter), making their product very frustrating to use.  Not to mention their own suspended Twitter accounts.  Many have emailed me directly about their frustration and concerns.  Here’s the thing, I’ve stopped using it altogether, but am reconsidering, and you should too – let me fill you in.

Update on Hummingbird Twitter Automation Software

Software is not perfect, it comes with bugs whether you like it or not.  Buy software that is built on another ever changing platform, the greater challenges you have.  From what I can tell, that is what has happened with Hummingbird, and others who have built applications on Twitter.  When Hummingbird was originally reviewed in March, it was the only product of it’s kind, and it did a great job (you can also read why I decided to use it in my marketing automation at that time).  Since then there has been rapid change in the marketplace and with Twitter which has impacted the product creators and customers.  Yet, it appears the folks at Mesiab Labs are smarter than that…

Currently – Limited Functionality

The full extent of issues with version 1 isn’ t known to me (not using it currently), but I understand there are unfollow problems and more.   Here’s one message from a subscriber yesterday:

Travis- HummingBird seems totally stuck in the water with the latest Twitter UI change.  The “followers” pages are showing only some as “<checkmark> Following”…not all. What?  I can’t make heads or tails of the “following” pages.
How are you dealing with this?  -Don

Don’s email, in part, prompted this update.

Suspended Twitter Accounts

A few weeks ago I discovered by accident that multiple Twitter accounts of the staff of Mesiab Labs (creators of the Hummingbird Twitter Automation software), had been suspended.  The Twitter screen says: Sorry, the account you were headed to has been suspended due to strange activity. Mosey along now, nothing to see here. When I inquired about it, they were justifiably demure in their response (as anyone in their shoes would be).  I stopped using the product right away (as I didn’t want my accounts to have the same fate) I waited until I had all the facts, before making any conclusions.  Here’s what I know:

1. Twitter has been cracking down hard (thankfully) on spam accounts, and accounts that build their followings too quickly or have suspicious behavior.
2. Mesiab Labs, while encouraging white hat practices with Twitter, put a product in the marketplace that could also be used maliciously by those in the black hat world.  This potential for abuse was alluded to in the original review.
3. The accounts are no longer suspended (more info below)

While I do not know for sure why Twitter suspended their accounts (perhaps someone from Twitter.com can shed some light here?), any fair minded marketer can conclude that these forces collided, and Twitter flipped the switch on them.  Make no mention of the recent accidental Twitter account suspensions.

Makers of Hummingbird Reportedly Ink Operating Agreement with Twitter

Mesiab Labs has reportedly inked (yesterday) an operating agreement with Twitter to “ensure that Hummingbird is in full compliance with Twitter’s Terms of Service and protect the accounts of users who use Hummingbird 2.0″ (per email from Kevin Mesiab, Creator of Hummingbird Twitter Software).  This is a smart move, and may very well save the company.  Build a relationship with Twitter and help them fulfill their objectives instead of operating in the dark, others should take heed.

Accounts Re-Instated: I was informed by them that their accounts were re-instated yesterday as well.

Hummingbird 2.0 is Coming Upgrades Will Be Free (Get Version 1 Now and Save)

Here’s what I know:

1. It has been completely rewritten in Adobe Air, so it works on Mac, Linux, and of course Windows.
2. More marketing automation, and an API as well.
3. It is blessed by Twitter under the new operating agreement (I know of no other app that has that).
4. It’s pretty. Some screenshots here.

As a result of this, I’m going to give the guys at Mesiab Labs another shot, and there will likely be an update here at some point. I have tried many other Twitter products, but none that had an operating agreement with Twitter.  You can always replace software, tools, etc. but to recover from a tarnished name in the marketplace, is another feat altogether.

How to Get Hummingbird 2.0 Cheap

If you are already a Hummingbird customer, the upgrade to version 2 is free, and you get the upgrade as soon as it is available.  If you haven’t yet purchased version 1, they just cut the price in half, so get it now, so you don’t have to pay full price when version 2 is released (reportedly very soon).  Keep in mind, version 1 has limited functionality especially when it comes to unfollowing, but if you can deal with that for a few days, you should be ok.

You can get version 1 here (if it takes you to a page for version 2, well then, you might consider version 2).

Don’t care for Hummingbird at all?  Consider Birdfeeder.

Using Hummingbird?  Considering it? Chime in using the comment boxes below.

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