Twitter threads have become an incredibly popular way for people to share stories, opinions, and other content across the platform. With the 280-character limit, threading multiple tweets together allows users to provide more context and detail than a single tweet could contain.
Some Best Twitter Threads have gone massively viral, sparking global conversations or uncovering previously unknown information. Others are simply entertaining or insightful.
In this blog post, we’ll highlight some of the most iconic, impactful, and interesting Twitter threads to date. Whether it educated people, made them laugh, revealed something fascinating, or inspired change – these are the threads that Twitter users continue discussing years later.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Great Twitter Thread?
Before diving into specific examples, let’s look at some of the key qualities that can make a Twitter thread stand out:
- Telling a compelling story or narrative: The information is presented not just as isolated facts but as an engaging story that builds momentum.
- Humor and wit: Funny, smart, and witty threads tend to get more traction as people enjoy the entertainment or cleverness.
- Contrarian ideas: Threads that respectfully challenge widely accepted narratives or provide counterviewpoints can spark enlightening discussions.
- Simplicity: Threads that distill complex topics into easily understandable points often resonate more. Too much jargon can lose readers.
- Original research or analysis: Groundbreaking findings, investigative work, or insightful analysis within a thread can reveal something new.
- Usefulness: Service-focused threads that provide concrete tips, resources, or other helpful information.
- Media enhancements: Incorporating photos, videos, gifs, or other multimedia can enhance engagement.
- Length: Typically, between 5-25 tweets seems optimal – enough depth to inform but not too long where it’s daunting.
Keeping these elements in mind, let’s look at some of the greatest Twitter threads that captivated audiences.
Also read: Popular Twitter Thread idea
Viral & Conversation-Sparking Threads
These threads spread like wildfire across Twitter and beyond, often triggering massive responses, debates, and elevation into mainstream news coverage. Their impact derived both from the substance itself as well as the conversational nature of Twitter that allowed rapid sharing to huge audiences.
1. #MeToo Movement
In October 2017, user @AlyssaMilano posted a suggestion that if all women who had been sexually harassed or assaulted responded to her tweet with the words “me too,” it might “give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.”
What followed was an outpouring of heartbreaking personal stories centered around the hashtag #MeToo, highlighting the pervasiveness of sexual misconduct against women. @AlyssaMilano’s initial tweet sparked a global movement empowering survivors to speak out and driving awareness around the issue.
2. Covington Catholic Controversy
A viral video emerged in January 2019 depicting an altercation between a Native American elder and a group of students from Covington Catholic High School. Early interpretations suggested the students were taunting the elder, spurring widespread condemnation.
However, additional footage and analysis began to reveal a more nuanced picture. A detailed thread by @roflinds dissecting the various videos frame-by-frame went mega-viral, shifting the narrative. The thread illuminated the dangers of rushing to judgment based on limited information.
3. Jeffrey Epstein
Before his 2019 indictment and later death, few members of the general public were familiar with Jeffrey Epstein or the full scope of his sex trafficking crimes. That changed thanks to a monster Twitter thread by @CaslerNoel that detailed Epstein’s vast network of political and celebrity connections, lurid activities, and how he evaded justice for years. The thread aimed a spotlight at Epstein’s misconduct and was a precursor to the wave of accountability that followed.
4. Celebrity Plane Tracking
In July 2020, user @MiaFarrow noticed a number of celebrities posting on Instagram from seemingly remote tropical locations – all while ignoring COVID-19 health guidelines against unnecessary travel. Farrow began tweeting their locations by looking up their planes on flight tracking sites.
The thread exposing celebrity hypocrisy went hugely viral, dominating news cycles and sparking debates about public responsibility. It underscored social media’s power to galvanize public opinion rapidly.
5. Eric Garner
Following Eric Garner’s death at the hands of NYPD officers in 2014, his daughter @itsericagarner posted a heart-wrenching thread about watching the video footage of the fatal interaction between her father and police.
The personal thread provided powerful firsthand context about Garner’s life and family at a time of tumultuous national debate about race and law enforcement. It added an intimate, human dimension to the broader story.
6. Vaccine Callout
At the height of COVID-19 vaccine rollouts in early 2021, when appointments remained scarce, Twitter user @iamcardib began calling out wealthy celebrities, politicians and corporations who were snagging vaccines meant for higher priority groups.
Her feisty thread calling for more ethical distribution garnered widespread praise. Cardi B ultimately leveraged her platform to spread awareness and facilitate donations benefiting vaccination efforts.
Investigative & Whistleblower Threads
Skilled journalists, activists, researchers and concerned citizens have utilized Twitter threads to disseminate findings from in-depth investigative work. By uncovering key evidence and communicating insights through compelling Twitter narratives, their exposés prompted significant real-world impact.
7. Facebook Files
In September 2021, @FrancesHaugen revealed herself to be the whistleblower who had leaked thousands of damning internal Facebook documents. In a series of detailed threads, she broke down how Facebook repeatedly prioritized profits over ethics when it came to matters like hate speech, teen mental health, and misinformation. The revelations sparked congressional hearings, regulatory pressure, and lasting damage to Facebook’s reputation.
8. Uber assault
Journalist @SusanJFowler’s February 2017 thread chronicled her experiences with sexual harassment and HR negligence while working as an engineer at Uber. The account uncovered Uber’s toxic culture and workplace discrimination against women. It led to internal investigations, the firing of numerous executives, and the eventual downfall of CEO Travis Kalanick. The thread proved a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement against Silicon Valley’s misogynistic practices.
9. Boston Marathon bombing
Amateur internet sleuths on sites like Reddit were falsely accusing innocent people of perpetrating the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. But @sethmnookin’s Twitter thread debunking the faulty accusations and preventing further harm demonstrated how Twitter could also be used for good. His real-time analysis of the available evidence helped discredit dangerous conspiracy theories during a chaotic time.
10. Harvey Weinstein
Reporter @RonanFarrow had been gathering exhaustive evidence of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein’s sexual misconduct for months through interviews with victims and company insiders. But his story was continually blocked from publication.
His October 2017 Twitter thread detailing the intimidation tactics used to suppress the reporting finally brought the allegations into the open. Weinstein’s reckoning soon followed.
Fascinating Stories & Deep Dives
Beyond hard news, Twitter has proven a wonderful platform for recounting fascinating tales – whether personal anecdotes, interesting insights into niche communities, or glimpses into the lives of public figures. These threads managed to captivate huge audiences by artfully weaving together engaging narratives.
11. Sneaker Connoisseur
Sneaker obsessive @Trillsphilosophy posted an enjoyable 39-tweet overview of the history and subculture surrounding Nike’s iconic Air Force 1 shoe. By interweaving nostalgic memories, savvy business analysis, and great visuals, he told a compelling story that resonated far beyond just sneakerheads. The thread exemplified using Twitter to educate and entertain people about specialized topics.
12. Essayist’s Daily Life
For one month, writer @SiyandaWrites posted snippets each day detailing the quotidian experiences that inspired her writing and connected her to the larger world. The mini-stories about morning coffee routines, observing strangers, and fleeting sensory pleasures combined to form an overarching narrative about finding meaning in the mundane. It was a quiet masterclass in the art of personal essay writing.
13. Shoplifting Spree
In December 2021, TikToker @Shellzandcheese recounted in a viral thread how a simple shoplifting incident as a teen led to her and friends stealing over $1000 in merchandise as a dangerous stunt. Her vivid retelling of exploits from nearly a decade prior captivated Twitter audiences. The tale highlighted Twitter’s fondness for embracing human foibles.
14. Coachella Fame
In April 2018, writer @JohnaBollea posted a detailed play-by-play of her experiences going viral at Coachella simply for resembling actress Emma Stone. Her observations about sudden internet micro-fame, feeling objectified by the attention, and wrestling with imposter syndrome made for a compelling read. It shed insight into the fickle nature of celebrity in the social media age.
15. Early Twitter History
Prolific Twitter user @BizStone – one of the platform’s co-founders – posted a fascinating thread in 2016 recounting Twitter’s primitive early days. From how the name was chosen to celebrity encounters in the early years, his firsthand stories offered rare insights even long-time Twitter users had never heard. It was a treat for those interested in social media history.
Spotlighting Key Issues
Twitter has given a platform to voices that may get ignored or talked over in mainstream society. By spotlighting underrepresented issues through thoughtful threads, these users sparked empathy, understanding and desire for change.
16. Disability Awareness
In a series of 2017 tweets, disabled activist @Imani_Barbarin described candid examples of the insensitive behavior and lack of accommodations she regularly encounters. Her insights into these everyday microaggressions against the disabled community resonated widely. It drove mainstream awareness of how small, thoughtless actions can marginalize.
17. Gender Bias
Writer @menc0105 posted a now-viral 2017 thread outlining subtle forms of gender bias women commonly confront in professional settings. From being ignored in meetings to having ideas attributed to male colleagues, her examples struck a chord with women globally. The tweets clearly articulated long-overlooked inequities.
18. Black Hair Discrimination
In 2019, @naturallytress shared the painful story of how school administrators cut off her young daughter’s braids due to dress code policies that are inherently biased against Black hairstyles. The personal thread spoke to larger issues of discrimination and injustice faced by Black girls and women for wearing natural hairstyles.
19. Parenting Pressure
Stay-at-home mom @karendstar penned a 2018 thread about the loneliness and depression she experienced being immersed in parenting’s mundanity. While motherhood’s joys are often touted, her vulnerable confessions revealed the glossy facade. The rare, honest perspective resonated with multitudes of moms who felt similarly but were afraid to admit it.
20. Refugee Stories
Non-profit @NRC_Egeland shared a 2018 thread recounting real stories from refugees fleeing war and hardship. From the pain of leaving the family to hopes for their children’s futures, the personalized reports put humanity onto a group often discussed in abstract terms. It fostered compassion by showcasing refugees simply as individuals seeking better lives.
Scientific & Academic Threads
Increasingly, experts across disciplines recognize Twitter as a means to make their work accessible to general audiences. These threads represent some stellar examples of scientists, researchers, medical professionals and more using Twitter to inform people about key discoveries, insights and innovations.
21. Mars Rover Landing
In late 2021, the Perseverance rover survived the famous ‘7 minutes of terror’ in landing on Mars. Engineer @SarperSez gave a blow-by-blow account of this high-stakes descent through an anxious yet jubilant thread. It provided unparalleled perspective into the elaborate maneuvers required for Mars landings to succeed. His commentary brought this remarkable human achievement to life.
22. Vaccine Science
Amidst floods of coronavirus misinformation in 2020, Dr. @K_G_Andersen posted an acclaimed thread explaining the science behind how the new mRNA vaccines work. With simple language and helpful diagrams, he clarified common myths and concerns. This critical knowledge empowered many to make informed decisions about vaccination.
23. Hubble Discoveries
Astronomer @mrdanielolson live-tweeted the release of new images from the Hubble Space Telescope in July 2022, conveying informative insights about the galaxies and other celestial phenomena pictured. His commentary made the dazzling new Hubble images more engaging and meaningful for the public.
24. Bird Evolution
In response to a fossil discovery, paleontologist @CharlesKocell used Twitter to explain key stages in the evolution of modern birds from feathered dinosaurs. His 2017 thread with helpful diagrams untangled a complex topic. It offered reminders that even professionals leverage Twitter as a teaching tool.
25. Hurricane Science
Meteorologist @BMcNoldy live-tweeted developments as Hurricane Michael approached Florida in 2018, analyzing real-time data to keep the public informed. His accessible explanations of storm processes, refreshingly direct communication of risk, and insights into forecast uncertainties likely helped people make smarter evacuation decisions.
Groundbreaking News Developments
While traditional media still dominates major breaking news, these threads demonstrated the power of Twitter to surface monumental stories first and bring key details to light rapidly. Journalists increasingly leverage Twitter’s immediacy during fast-moving events.
26. Raid on bin Laden
On May 1, 2011, @ReallyVirtual in Abbottabad, Pakistan, sent the very first tweet alerting the world that Osama bin Laden had just been killed in a raid by US forces; this watershed moment signaled Twitter’s arrival as a go-to news source equal to established outlets. @KeithUrbahn later confirmed bin Laden’s death in a tweet that preceded President Obama’s official announcement.
27. Hudson River Plane Crash
When US Airways flight 1539 struck geese and lost power in January 2009, Twitter users like @ZadiDV were the first to report the plane’s dramatic emergency landing in the Hudson River.
Conclusion & Takeaways
As the myriad examples above showcase, Twitter has become a powerful storytelling medium for conveying everything from breaking news to fascinating personal narratives. When used thoughtfully, threads allow people to inform, entertain, inspire, mobilize, advocate, investigate, and more.
Key takeaways from some of the greatest Twitter threads over the years:
- Twitter provides an impactful platform for marginalized voices and causes to be heard. Hashtags and viral threads have created societal shifts.
- Investigative threads promoting accountability, debunking misinformation, and presenting counter-narratives serve the public good.
- Expert commentary makes specialized knowledge accessible to broad audiences who can learn outside traditional institutions.
- Firsthand accounts of major events shared in real-time provide invaluable perspectives traditional reporting often misses.
- Fun, uplifting stories remind us of shared humanity – both the monumental and the mundane.
- Brevity need not limit depth or impact. The threaded format allows for great storytelling if used creatively.
While toxic behavior on Twitter garners much attention, it’s important to recognize the tremendous force for good that the platform enables. At its best, Twitter facilitates learning, transparency, empathy, and progress through democratizing information.
The threads highlighted here exemplify storytelling craft that engages audiences, incites action, and advances public knowledge. They showcase Twitter’s singularity in allowing anyone to create global dialogues if they have something meaningful to say.
