Two month ago I wrote at length how Twitter was redirecting links on mobile devices to AMP versions of the content. Served not from AMP Cache, but from actual site’s web servers.
Few weeks before that, I wrote an article asking to make AMP links optional in Google search result. Based on how well it was received, I assume I am not the only one who does not like being redirected to AMP versions of the content.
Meme-ing pic.twitter.com/WT1BXPeZnw
— Bruce Lawson (@brucel) August 30, 2017
At the same time I understand that a lot of users DO like AMP content. I completely respect their right to enjoy it. But it would be nice if Twitter provided an option to opt-out from that experience for those who don’t.
For example, today I saw a post that David Walsh shared on Twitter. I clicked on the link, and was taken to the AMP version of his site. David has a very nice and easily recognizable blog. When I saw the content that looked different I had to pause. I wasn’t sure if I clicked on a phishing link or something else like that. Once I realized that it was just an AMP version of his site, I move on with my day. I wish I could opt-out from that experience.
As I’ve pointed out previously, Twitter redirect users to a specific page via an URL that looks as follows: https://t.co/6drRK5Cugz?amp=1. I think the opt-out experience can be implemented as easy as changing amp=1 to amp=0, assuming the user previously selected that option.
So there you have it. Dear Twitter, please please please make AMP optional.