With 200 million people on Twitter, there's no shortage of accounts to follow, but unless you peruse peoples' lists or feeds followed by friends, it's a bit difficult to find people based on interest.
That changed Monday, when Twitter added the ability to search via interest, adding categories like Art & Design, Deals, Health and, of course, Technology. Users can also search specific topics, and Twitter will surface related accounts rather than accounts with that phrase in their Twitter name.
"This new approach helps you find the Twitter users that will best help you follow your interests," Twitter spokeswoman Carolyn Penner wrote in a blog post. "For example, if you're interested in hip hop, chances are that you'd like to follow hip hop artists. Searching for 'hip hop' now surfaces accounts like @common and @questlove. (Previously, we typically showed accounts that have 'hip hop' in the name.)"
To access, click "view all" under the "Who to follow" suggestions on Twitter.com, and then the "Browse Interests" tab for specific categories. There are currently 22 interests, including Staff Picks and the various Twitter-run feeds.
To search a specific phrase or topic, click "Find on Twitter" and type it into the search box.
Twitter also said that those who search on Twitter.com will now see a tip that "points you to a set of search operators and our advanced search page, which help you more quickly find what you're looking for," Penner wrote.
In much more important Twitter news, however, teen sensation Miley Cyrus has re-joined Twitter. The singer is tweeting via @gypsyhearttour, the name of her upcoming tour.
Cyrus had good reason to return to the micro-blogging site - her fans and beleagured actor Charlie Sheen. "Do not fear...the Sheenius is here!" I'm not gonna lie. I came back to twitter for 2 reasons. My fans and to follow @charliesheen #winning," she tweeted yesterday.
Cyrus deleted her personal account, @mileycyrus, in October 2009 after too many of her tweets were used as tabloid fodder. Not helping the matter, she announced her departure via a YouTube rap video.
Sadly, Cyrus will not be able to banter with actor James Franco, who deleted his Twitter account on Friday about a month after joining.