How to set up and customize a new Twitter account

• You can set up a new Twitter account from the website or mobile app.
• First, Twitter will show you how to register your account in five simple steps.
• Twitter will then prompt you to add a photo, bio, interests, and people to follow.

Setting up a Twitter account for business or personal use is an easy process - even though it may seem daunting at first.

Twitter provides a registration and onboarding wizard to guide you through each step that must be completed. You can even skip some sections and return to them later.

Here's how to get started setting up a Twitter account.

How to set up a Twitter account

Visit the Twitter website or download the Twitter app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android. Click Sign Up to get started. Whether you're signing up from the website or mobile app, the steps are the same.

Register your Twitter account

1. On the first screen, you'll enter a name for your account as well as your birthdate and a phone number or email address. The name you enter will become your account username, commonly referred to as a handle or username - which you can always change. The birthdate and phone number (or email) will be kept private. Click Next to continue.

2. On the next screen, you'll need to choose if you want to "track where you see Twitter content across the web." Checking this option enables Twitter to serve personalized ads based on your online and offline activities. See Twitter's terms of service for more information. No matter what you choose now, you can change your selection anytime from account settings. Hit Next after you've checked or unchecked the box.

3. Confirm your name, email or phone number, and birthdate by clicking Sign Up.

4. You'll be asked to enter a verification code sent to either your phone number or email address before you can continue through the registration process. Enter the code and hit Next.

5. Finally, you'll be asked to create a unique password for your Twitter account. It must be 8 characters or more.

Create your Twitter profile

Next, you'll be prompted to upload a profile picture. Profile pictures should be no larger than 400x400 pixels. You can choose to skip this step if you like.

Enter a short bio for your Twitter profile. This information will be publicly available. You can skip this section if you like.

Select your interests and who to follow

Once you've set up a profile, you'll be prompted to search for topics that interest you. You can search or click topics you're interested in reading about. Selections in this step may influence the topics and users Twitter suggests for you in the future.

Next, you'll be shown a list of suggested Twitter users to follow. Scroll through the list and click the Follow button next to any users you wish to follow. You can skip this step if you prefer.

Finally, you'll be prompted to choose your notification preferences. Make a selection to complete the registration and set-up process. You may update your selection any time.

Begin using your Twitter home page

After completing registration and setting up your profile, you'll be taken to your Twitter home page. You'll see recent posts, or tweets, from the users you follow.

Additional account options and settings are available from the sidebar menu on the left side of the website, or by tapping the icon of three horizontal lines on the mobile app.