Twitter is testing a new feature that it claims will allow users of the micro-blogging service to track key contacts more easily.

The Lists feature will allow people to keep updated with certain accounts. The lists will be public by default, but can be made private and will be linked to users' profiles, according to the firm. Other users can then subscribe to lists.

"For example, you could create a list of the funniest Twitter accounts of all time, athletes, local businesses, friends or any compilation that makes sense," said Twitter List project lead Nick Kallen in a blog post.

"Lists have the potential to be an important new discovery mechanism for great tweets and accounts."

At present, Twitter users trying to find certain contacts have to scroll through all their contacts if they cannot remember the profile name of the person they are trying to find.

Twitter said that it had started working on the new feature after frequent requests from people who wanted greater organisation in their accounts.

New Twitter users signing up for the first time are given the Suggested User List, which holds accounts that Twitter recommends. Lists is a similar idea, just more mainstream.