While Twitter continues to explode to become the popular social web service that it already is, many people find it a new experience and are still unaware of the basic etiquette that has become expected of fellow Twits.

This is list not comprehensive, but is definitely a starting point for listing tweeting habits that will result in you being unfollowed or blocked.

Auto-DMs

The popularity of auto-DM’s has definitely died down and it was a lot worse a short while ago, but there are still a few schmucks who have these set up. They are annoying, impersonal and spam. Whether your auto-DM is to welcome me to your Twitter stream as a new follower or to get me to read your blog, this habit will get you unfollowed. No negotiating this one!

Consistent requests to become your Facebook friend

Why would I? I mean really! Facebook is a bit more personal for me than Twitter and I want to keep it for my friends and family. Even though the word “friend” is slightly screwed up on Twitter, I have at least met each of my friends and I know who they are and I trust them enough to share personal information, photos, videos, etc.

Consistent tweets about “How to get more followers”

I am not sure when this became a competition. I believe that people who value my tweets, will follow me, those who don’t, simply don’t follow me. I will not go out SEARCHING for followers like the Jehovah’s Witness chaps that disturb my Sunday afternoon. They annoy me and so do those tweets!

Retweeting my tweets, but replacing the URLs that I share

By doing so, you are “putting words into my mouth”. I hate it, its rude and most times your links are spam. No-one likes a spammer. Really, we don’t!

Get rich quick schemes

Seriously dude, you probably don’t make $100 000 per month so stop telling us that you can make us rich. Most of us believe in hard work and think that the easy road works. It’s just lame and you are annoying! We don’t WANT to listen to sad stories of you wanting to share your wealth. If you have spare cash and don’t want it anymore, give it charity, idiot

Follow me on Twitter as @DChetty