Twitter is considering launching a premium version of its Tweetdeck platform, raising the possibility that it could run a subscription service for the first time.

The social media giant has more than 300 million users worldwide but unlike larger rival Facebook it has failed to attract enough ad revenue to turn a profit since it was founded 11 years ago.

Now, the company is conducting a survey "to assess the interest in a new, more enhanced version of Tweetdeck", a spokeswoman has said.

Tweetdeck is an existing platform that helps users navigate Twitter

She added: "We regularly conduct user research to gather feedback about people's Twitter experience and to better inform our product investment decisions, and we're exploring several ways to make Tweetdeck even more valuable for professionals."


There was no indication that Twitter was considering charging fees from all its users.

The statement came after an earlier leak about what a premium version of Tweetdeck could look like.

It suggested that could include "more powerful tools to help markets, journalists, professionals, and others in our community find out what is happening in the world quicker".

The description also said the premium version could be free of ads.

Other social media platforms, such as Microsoft's LinkedIn, already offer differing levels of membership with paid-for versions offering greater access and data.

Twitter's fourth quarter results showed the slowest revenue growth since it floated on the stock market in 2013, while revenues from advertising fell year-on-year.

This is despite the social media site being at the centre of public attention due to its use by top public figures, most notably Donald Trump.