Twitter is a free microblogging platform that allows users to share content, ideas, and data in updates of 140 characters or less. Users can build business connections, increase brand awareness, and find and share news in real time on Twitter. To begin using Twitter, users create a profile and username, fill out a bio, and find people to follow based on interests or keywords. Tweets are updates that answer "What's happening?" and users can reply, retweet, or direct message other Twitter accounts. Hashtags help make tweets searchable and URL shorteners save characters.