Meta’s Threads is testing an exciting new feature that could change how users interact on the platform. This new experiment introduces disappearing posts, similar to the Stories feature on Instagram, where content vanishes after 24 hours. First spotted by developer Alessandro Paluzzi earlier this summer, the feature is now being tested with a select group of users. Meta confirmed to a publication that the idea is to offer a more casual way for users to share content on the platform without the long-term commitment of permanent posts.
The concept of ephemeral content isn’t new; it’s been tried before, most notably with Twitter’s Fleets. However, Fleets didn’t gain much traction and was discontinued just a year after its launch. Despite this, the idea of disappearing posts continues to appeal, especially to users who frequently delete content or want to share something without it lingering indefinitely. The Threads version of this feature might succeed where others have failed by allowing more interaction with the disappearing posts, like replies and quotes, which also disappear when the original post’s timer runs out.
In recent years, users have sought platforms where they can share content without it becoming a permanent record. Instagram, for instance, experimented with an auto-archiving feature that would automatically hide posts after a set period. However, this feature didn’t gain much traction, as users preferred to have more control over their content visibility. Threads’ disappearing posts offer a solution, allowing for temporary sharing without requiring manual deletion or archiving.
In addition to testing disappearing posts, Threads has been busy enhancing its platform in other ways. The app recently hit a significant milestone, surpassing 200 million users, and introduced an analytics tool called Insights. This tool is designed to help users, particularly those with large followings, track their account’s performance, providing data on engagement, reach, and other key metrics. Meta has also announced that a post-scheduling feature is on the way, further expanding the options for content management on Threads.
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