Threads adds ‘ghost posts’ that disappear after 24 hours

Meta's Threads, the social media platform designed to rival X, is rolling out an innovative feature known as 'ghost posts.' This new functionality allows its extensive user base of over 400 million to share their thoughts in a format that automatically disappears after 24 hours. The 'ghost posts' feature is set to launch globally on Monday, enabling users to create these temporary posts directly from their mobile devices. By simply activating the 'ghost' icon in the app’s compose screen, users can share their insights, which will appear in their followers' timelines marked by a unique dotted conversation bubble. While others can respond to these ghost posts, those replies are directed to the original poster’s direct messages rather than appearing in the public timeline. Users will have the ability to see if their ghost posts have been liked or replied to, indicated by smiley-faced icons. However, only the poster will have access to the exact number of interactions. After a day, these posts vanish from the timeline but remain accessible in the 'archived' section for the original poster. It's worth noting that if message requests are disabled, users who are not followed by the poster will not be able to reply. Those who choose to keep message requests enabled will receive replies from non-followers in a separate inbox. Meta explained to TechCrunch that this feature aims to foster a more relaxed atmosphere for sharing within the app. The introduction of ghost posts could also position Threads as a competitor to X, where users often resort to third-party services to manage their old tweets. Notably, this is not the first instance of a text-based platform attempting ephemeral posts; Twitter had a similar feature called Fleets back in 2020, which was ultimately discontinued due to low engagement. In contrast, Meta is optimistic about the potential for disappearing content, which has gained popularity through Stories on Instagram and Facebook. The company anticipates that ghost posts will encourage users to express their unfiltered thoughts and engage in spontaneous discussions. Since its launch in July 2023, Threads has continuously evolved, introducing features like custom feeds, direct messaging, and various enhancements aimed at enriching user experience.