Twitter announced on Tuesday that it will be introducing a new way to share thoughts, videos, and photos on its global social media platform by launching “Fleets”, or tweets that will disappear in 24 hours.
Basically, it’s Twitter’s way of capitalizing on the success of features like ‘Stories’ on Instagram, Facebook, and the Gen Z app Snapchat. Fleets will appear at the top of the home timeline on each user’s page.
The decision to add Fleets was discussed by design director Joshua Harris and product manager Sam Haveson in a blog post after testing out the new feature in key markets. “Some of you tell us that Tweeting is uncomfortable because it feels so public, so permanent, and like there’s so much pressure to rack up Retweets and Likes. Because they disappear from view after a day, Fleets helped people feel more comfortable sharing personal and casual thoughts, opinions, and feelings.”
While Fleets isn’t exactly a new or groundbreaking concept, what is unique is Twitter’s sequel to ‘Fleets’, called ‘Spaces’, which will be tested out later this year. Much like the social platform Clubhouse, Spaces will enable Twitter users to audio chat live with each other. However, given the strict rules that Twitter has about spreading misinformation or manipulating media, while Fleets will be easier to police, Spaces will be more difficult.
“Given all of the potential for abuse within audio spaces, we are going to be making it available first to women and historically marginalized communities,” said Twitter’s spokeswoman Liz Kelley. A public, online audio chatroom where women can’t be interrupted by men? Well, well, well. This could be interesting.
