Twitter is designed to play host to information, and to conversations, but some folks might not be all that eager to communicate on the platform.
There might be a variety of reasons for this, like the fact that tweets stay up all the time and anyone can reply to them at any given moment. In an effort to take on this perceived issue, Twitter is testing something it calls “fleets” (via The Verge). Right now the test is only taking place in Brazil, and it’s available for iOS users and Android users alike, and it’s meant to bring ephemeral tweets to the platform.
With a fleet, the content will disappear in 24 hours. These fleets will appear in a separate timeline above the standard one. After the 24-hour period is up, the tweets will automatically disappear. This is all very reminiscent of Instagram Stories and other options out there, which isn’t all that surprising considering how popular Stories has become. Plus, the similarities to Snapchat are there, too.
People often tell us that they don’t feel comfortable Tweeting because Tweets can be seen and replied to by anybody, feel permanent and performative (how many Likes & Retweets will this get!?). Many of us can probably empathize with this: https://t.co/LW2xWlctZi
— Kayvon Beykpour (@kayvz) March 4, 2020
The new feature, being tested in Brazil, will showcase the fleets in small circles at the top of the timeline. And it sounds like the feature will only be available in the stock Twitter app, for both Android and iOS, even if/when the new feature rolls out globally.
Here’s a video of the new feature in action:
We’ve been listening to this feedback and working to create new capabilities that address some of the anxieties that hold people back from talking on Twitter. Today, in Brazil only, we’re starting a test (on Android and iOS) for one of those new capabilities. It’s called Fleets. pic.twitter.com/6MLs8irb0c
— Kayvon Beykpour (@kayvz) March 4, 2020
What do you think of the new fleet feature? Hope to see it arrive in other regions soon?