Twitter launches disappearing tweets

MANILA, Philippines — Social media platform Twitter has launched a new feature called “Fleets” that allows users to post messages that disappear after 24 hours.

Twitter said the new feature, which is similar to Facebook and Instagram Stories, aims to lower the pressure for people to join in conversations due to the more permanent nature of regular tweets.

“Fleets are for sharing momentary thoughts – they help start conversations and only stick around for 24 hours,” Twitter design director Joshua Harris and product manager Sam Haveson said in a blog post.

“Through our tests in Brazil, Italy, India and South Korea, we learned Fleets helped people feel more comfortable joining the conversation – we saw people with Fleets talk more on Twitter,” they added.

Twitter said those new to the platform found Fleets to be an easier way to share because they disappear after a day.

“Fleets helped people feel more comfortable sharing personal and casual thoughts, opinions and feelings. These are early findings from our tests and we’re excited to learn more about how Fleets are used by you,” it added.

The new feature drew mixed reactions, with some noting that it is something already available on other platforms.

Like Facebook and Instagram Stories, followers see Fleets on the top of their timelines.

“This format may sound familiar to you,” noted Harris and Haveson. “We’ve learned that some people feel more comfortable joining conversations on Twitter with this ephemeral format, so what they’re saying lives just for a moment in time.