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:
- Twitter has been cracking down hard (thankfully) on spam accounts, and accounts that build their followings too quickly or have suspicious behavior.
- 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.
- 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:
- It has been completely rewritten in Adobe Air, so it works on Mac, Linux, and of course Windows.
- More marketing automation, and an API as well.
- It is blessed by Twitter under the new operating agreement (I know of no other app that has that).
- 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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Hi, my name is Travis Campbell, I operate this site. I'm here to share what I can from my lessons marketing online. With sizeable investments in continuing education, various software products and services, I have had some winners, and some losers. One way I can extend what I've learned is by writing about it, here... and helping you along the way.
I will recommend using ePostMailer for all bulk email marketing needs. Its the best bulk email marketing software I have used so far.
Anita- the functionality it offered when it was released was much more than anything on the market at the time, today there are better products available, but the truth is, they all rely on twitter search, and until twitter search becomes more granular and less interpretive, targeting your followers within twitter will be a bit of hit or miss. I'm hopeful that the updated version of Hummingbird will offer more valuable features. Glad it is free for v1 customers.
Thanks for chiming in (don't be a stranger!).
Travis, wow. Thanks for pointing this out. I'm glad to hear hummingbird is hooking in to the twitter flock. Hopefully good for both. -J.
Time will tell how it works out, but certainly cannot be bad for Mesiab Labs to align themselves with Twitter more closely. In my opinion, their survival depends on it…at least for any Twitter based apps.
interesting article.
i personally prefer to build my following over time and more organicaly. that way i get to know some of my followers and following and i get more real ppl and less spam.
but i guess the bigger it gets, the more difficult it gets..
peace man
Can't see a download link. Mind to post? Is it cracked?
Thanks Travis for sharing this. I find automating any human interaction on Twitter is very lame. Services such as Hummingbird has turned Twitter into a complete landfill of spam and affiliate offers.
Personally, I have tried a few services and I use them sparingly to ensure I follow relevant, interesting and useful people. But keeping up on it is a responsibility, like an inbox. While rare, it is possible to forge relationships with automated services, it's all about the behavior and intent in using it.
I'm sure it's only a matter of time until Twitter offers suggested users (who aren't celebrities) up to get people to connect more.
~Joseph
Thanks for chiming in Joe.
I think you are right. Twitter has limited resources, and will get more sophisticated as it is demanded of them (celebrity and other “verified accounts” only after a lawsuit). Their service will likely continue to be tolerant of abuses until they see revenue as a result of thwarting them.
Others?
Thanks for chiming in Joe.
I think you are right. Twitter has limited resources, and will get more sophisticated as it is demanded of them (celebrity and other “verified accounts” only after a lawsuit). Their service will likely continue to be tolerant of abuses until they see revenue as a result of thwarting them.
Others?
Travis– you are either naive or you are Kevin Mesiab.
Username1111111-
Naive, maybe. Definitely not Kevin Mesiab. I'm learning, from mistakes no doubt. I think experience is one of the best instructors. Experience teaches me, if one isn't willing to be transparent about who they are, what they say might not be worth listening to. What say you Username1111111?
I agre with you rcomments, what conclusion did you draw, is there better software?
Steve- You might look into TweetAdder or Birdfeeder, they both seem to do a decent job, and TweetAdder runs on Mac as well. Hope that helps.
If you are considering using Twitter marketing software, not only Hummingbird, you have the risk to get suspended. But if you know the rules of Twitter, then by using those software smartly, it can really save you some effort and time.
~http://twitter.com/elvintiong
The whole twitter debate is a joke, social networking has appeal because it is
viral, the current versions of twitter and facebook do not have the technical capacity to
deliver on that promise. As a result, only celebrities can have huge following. The issue
is not “SPAM”. Any third party tool that attempts to automate an average users ability to
quickly gain follower s(regardless of motive) will eventually be limited by the twitter API
(interface) until twitter gets itself together. At the end of the day if social networking tools
do not deliver the capability to technically deliver, these systems will be little more than
sophisticated emails for High School social events.
The whole twitter debate is a joke, social networking has appeal because it is
viral, the current versions of twitter and facebook do not have the technical capacity to
deliver on that promise. As a result, only celebrities can have huge following. The issue
is not “SPAM”. Any third party tool that attempts to automate an average users ability to
quickly gain follower s(regardless of motive) will eventually be limited by the twitter API
(interface) until twitter gets itself together. At the end of the day if social networking tools
do not deliver the capability to technically deliver, these systems will be little more than
sophisticated emails for High School social events.
That has totally been my experience and I have been left scratching my head as to what all the fuss is about.