Online Social Networks (OSNs) have become key spaces for communication, identity formation, and information exchange. While graphical representations have proven essential for understanding network structures, most existing visualisation tools rely on static datasets or pre-structured API queries, limiting the capacity to construct social dynamics rooted in actual conversational interactions. This article addresses that limitation by introducing a web-based visualisation tool designed to build and explore directed follower networks derived from Twitter (X) reply threads. The proposed solution supports real-time interaction, including node and edge editing, dual-view graph comparison (original and editable versions), and attribute-based visual encoding. Built using React, Next.js, and the react-d3-graph library, the tool offers immediate visual feedback and a responsive editing experience. Validation with a real-world dataset confirmed the tool’s effectiveness in constructing and exploring follower networks in ways not supported by existing platforms. Additionally, a scenario-based usability evaluation using the System Usability Scale (SUS) revealed that key editing features are functional but could benefit from improvements in clarity and visual feedback. Overall, the tool fills an identified gap in OSNs visualisation by offering a flexible, intuitive, and user-driven environment for analysing reply-based online interactions.

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Constructing and Editing Directed Follower Networks from Twitter (X) Reply Threads: An Interactive Visualisation Tool

  • Eleana Jerez-Villota,
  • Jeanhela Nazate,
  • Erick Mora,
  • Joel Arguello,
  • Germán Cáceres

摘要

Online Social Networks (OSNs) have become key spaces for communication, identity formation, and information exchange. While graphical representations have proven essential for understanding network structures, most existing visualisation tools rely on static datasets or pre-structured API queries, limiting the capacity to construct social dynamics rooted in actual conversational interactions. This article addresses that limitation by introducing a web-based visualisation tool designed to build and explore directed follower networks derived from Twitter (X) reply threads. The proposed solution supports real-time interaction, including node and edge editing, dual-view graph comparison (original and editable versions), and attribute-based visual encoding. Built using React, Next.js, and the react-d3-graph library, the tool offers immediate visual feedback and a responsive editing experience. Validation with a real-world dataset confirmed the tool’s effectiveness in constructing and exploring follower networks in ways not supported by existing platforms. Additionally, a scenario-based usability evaluation using the System Usability Scale (SUS) revealed that key editing features are functional but could benefit from improvements in clarity and visual feedback. Overall, the tool fills an identified gap in OSNs visualisation by offering a flexible, intuitive, and user-driven environment for analysing reply-based online interactions.