Get ready, people, because Twitter is testing out a brand new feature, called “fleets.” According to Variety, “fleets” are just like normal tweets, except they will disappear after 24 hours, the same way Snapchat Stories and Instagram Stories do.
“Every day, people come to Twitter to see what’s happening. One of the unique things about Twitter is that ‘what’s happening’ is fueled by people sharing their thoughts openly, through tweets. But sharing your thoughts publicly can be intimidating!” Twitter product lead Kayvon Beykpour wrote in a series of tweets on Wednesday, March 4. “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 and retweets will this get!? Many of us can probably empathize with this.”
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
“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,” he continued. “Today, in Brazil only, we’re starting a test (on Android and iOS) for one of those new capabilities. It’s called ‘fleets.'”
Fleets are a way to share fleeting thoughts. Unlike Tweets, Fleets disappear after 24 hours and don’t get Retweets, Likes, or public replies– people can only react to your Fleets with DMs. Instead of showing up in people’s timelines, Fleets are viewed by tapping on your avatar. pic.twitter.com/sWwsExRLcJ
— Kayvon Beykpour (@kayvz) March 4, 2020
Kayvon explained that there will be no ability for others to retweet, like or publicly comment on “fleets.” Instead, other users can reply to a “fleet” via private direct message or with an emoji. Rather than appearing on your timeline, “fleets” will be viewed by taping on someone’s avatar.
“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,” he concluded. “We’re hoping that ‘fleets’ can help people share the fleeting thoughts that they would have been unlikely to tweet. This is a substantial change to Twitter, so we’re excited to learn by testing it (starting with the rollout today in Brazil) and seeing how our customers use it.”
We’re hoping that Fleets can help people share the fleeting thoughts that they would have been unlikely to Tweet. This is a substantial change to Twitter, so we’re excited to learn by testing it (starting with the rollout today in Brazil) and seeing how our customers use it.
— Kayvon Beykpour (@kayvz) March 4, 2020
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