Twitter is testing a feature that will allow some tweets to disappear after 24 hours.
The new feature from Twitter, called “fleets” is similar to vanishing posts on Snapchat and Instagram Stories.
Moreover, the changes prompted the hashtag #RIPTwitter to trend.
Users complained the new feature would make the micro-blogging site too similar to other social media platforms.
Furthermore, so far Twitter is only testing the function in Brazil.
Kayvon Beykpour, the company’s product lead, said the new feature would allow people to post thoughts they might have felt uncomfortable sharing publicly.
He said posting on Twitter can feel “permanent and performative” which can intimidate some users.
“We’re hoping that Fleets can help people share the fleeting thoughts that they would have been unlikely to Tweet,” he wrote on Twitter.
I know what you're thinking: “THIS SOUNDS A LOT LIKE STORIES!”. Yes, there are many similarities with the Stories format that will feel familiar to people. There are also a few intentional differences to make the experience more focused on sharing and seeing people’s thoughts. pic.twitter.com/OaGYZpChcN
— Kayvon Beykpour (@kayvz) March 4, 2020
However, the vanishing messages will appear when a user’s profile picture is clicked.
Users will not be able to reply, like, or publicly comment on any of the disappearing messages.
Fleets will not appear on the timeline or Twitter feed, they can viewed by tapping on the avatar of a user.
Mr Beykpour said Twitter was making a “few intentional differences” to its version.
However, the company did not say when Fleets will roll out globally.
Twitter Feature: ‘Fleets’ faces backlash
Meanwhile, here’s how some Twitteraties reacted:
#RIPTwitter
So Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram are pretty much the same thing now pic.twitter.com/lmP8VBKUKy— Neil Malope (@neil_malope) March 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/fanny_miz/status/1235442410307584000
we moved to twitter bcz we were tired of this shit of adding hundreds of stories daily and now Twitter adding stories features like Instagram and Facebook #RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/W0G0vKeutJ
— zeeshh (@Zeeshusay) March 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/Viva_el_Nathan/status/1235454433095540737
#RIPTwitter it's been good but now we move to LinkedIn pic.twitter.com/aSvKR09Wp8
— Joe Banana (@__BananaJoe) March 5, 2020
Me looking at my friends' stories on Insta, FB, Snapchat, and Twitter. #RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/RtSlDEHb0U
— Harsh Panchal (@harshp2035) March 5, 2020
I don't fuckin care about your story.#RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/Aa445L7Qxe
— トロピカルスリム (@ucuptohorizon) March 5, 2020
Me : I am tired of seeing stories on Facebook and Instagram
Twitter : Ok, let me add more tiredness.#RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/IU0jhoYHJj
— xyzz (@tasinabidx) March 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/its_nomi_xhah/status/1235469734881173504
