Michael Jackson Breaks Twitter

26 June 2009

Social networking site Twitter has completely removed their "trending topics" and "search" functions on the site after news of the death of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, as well as Harrison Ford and Jeff Goldblum death hoaxes placed an unseen amount of strain on the social networking site.

The site has had to remove the features, which indicates what topics are being tweeted about the most and lets you search for keywords. It is also a very effective tool in finding out up-to-the-second information

Michael Jackson Commemorative Playlist

With news of the star's death, Twitter's update frequency doubled. That was no match for Facebook though, which tripled its update frequency.

"We saw an instant doubling of tweets per second the moment the story broke," Twitter co-founder Biz Stone told the LA Times. "This particular news about the passing of such a global icon is the biggest jump in tweets per second since the U.S. presidential election."

People also reported slowness on AOL messenger and blog site Livejournal.com.

Celebrities and musicians have taken to Twitter to express their sorrow at Michael Jackson's passing:

Taylor Swift: "It just doesn't feel real.. Everyone is walking around backstage saying "Have you heard?"."

Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz: "I have never felt this before in my life. I could measure my childhood 2 now on an mj growth chart. if this is true. Rip. The last legend."

Miley Cyrus: "michael jackson was my inspiration. love and blessings"

Demi Moore: "I am greatly saddened for the loss of both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Especially for their children!".

Selena Gomez: "RIP Michael Jackson, Farrah [sic] Facuet and Ed McMahon.. i send my love and prayers to their families"

DJ Calvin Harris: "I can't believe it, Michael Jackson rest in peace" and the "Prince and Michael where I come from was our Elvis and Beatles ... show sum Respect!!!!"