The concept of disappearing posts on social networks has become increasingly popular in recent years. It provides users with the option to delete their posts after a certain period of time, either manually or through third-party tools. This feature is particularly advantageous for those who want their posts to have a short-lived context or for individuals who have a habit of deleting their posts regularly.
Recently, Threads, a social network platform, announced that it is testing the use of ephemeral posts within its network. Initially, it was described as an internal prototype, but the company has now revealed that it is being tested with a limited number of users. The spokesperson for Threads stated that this new feature offers a casual and novel way to share content on the platform. However, specific details about its availability or the process of activating this feature remain undisclosed.
Alessandro Paluzzi, an app reverse engineer, shared an ephemeral post on Friday that demonstrated the functionality of this new feature. Users can see the remaining time before the post is deleted by tapping on the reply button. Additionally, Threads displays a banner above the post, informing users that both the thread and its replies will disappear once the timer reaches zero. Although the banner does not specifically mention quoted replies, it was observed that quoted posts have a timer similar to the original post, suggesting that they will also be deleted after the designated time has elapsed.
A few months ago, Paluzzi first hinted at the possibility of disappearing posts on Threads in a screenshot that showcased a “24-hour” button next to the “Post” button, indicating the option to publish a temporary thread. Furthermore, technologist Christ Messina discovered references to these posts within the code of the iOS app earlier this month. Messina also noted that disappearing posts would not be shared with the fediverse, as Threads lacks the ability to delete posts from other ActivityPub-powered servers. However, it is worth mentioning that Threads introduced the option for users to share their posts with the fediverse back in June.
The introduction of posts with a 24-hour expiry period could be beneficial for creators who occasionally want to share content that may not align with their usual brand or topic. It could also serve as a tool for individuals who wish to comment on live events, but recognize that their comments may become irrelevant once the event has concluded.
While Twitter attempted to adopt a similar format for its disappearing posts called Fleets in 2020, it ultimately discontinued the feature in 2021 due to low usage. Consequently, if Threads were to make ephemeral posts widely available, it would distinguish itself from its competitors, such as X, Bluesky, and Mastodon, who have not yet implemented this feature.
In conclusion, the testing of disappearing posts on Threads highlights the ongoing evolution of social networking platforms and their efforts to cater to the diverse preferences and needs of their users. This new feature introduces a new and casual way to share content while allowing users the freedom to control the lifespan of their posts. As social media continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how other platforms respond to this trend and whether disappearing posts become a standard feature across multiple networks.
Source link
