Threads Testing Self-Destructing Posts

Threads in experimenting with temporary posts, a feature that could benefit users who frequently delete content or share time-sensitive information

The organization has disclosed to TechCrunch that it is currently conducting a pilot program with a restricted number of users to evaluate posts that vanish within 24 hours.

Although the company did not issue a statement, a spokesperson stated this is a novel and informal method of sharing on Threads. Additionally, it did not specify whether the initiative is region-specific or who has the authority to activate such posts.

Reverse engineering an application On Friday, Alessandro Paluzzi published a brief post. As you tap on the reply icon, the time remaining will be displayed, and the post will be deleted after that time.

The thread and all replies will vanish when the time limit expires, as indicated by the banner at the top of the post in Threads. Although the banner does not provide any information regarding quoted replies, we have observed that quoted posts are subject to a timer comparable to the original post and will vanish once the timer expires.

Paluzzi initially discussed the functionality of Threads on disappearing posts in June, accompanied by a screenshot that depicted a 24-hour icon adjacent to the Post button that could be used to publish a disappearing thread. Hints regarding these posts were also discovered in the iOS app’s code by technologist Christ Messina earlier this month.

Messina observed that disappearing posts will not be shared with the fediverse, as Threads cannot delete them from other ActivityPub-powered servers. Starting in June, Threads enabled users to share their posts with the fediverse.

Creators who occasionally wish to distribute off-brand or off-topic posts may find it advantageous to implement posts with a 24-hour expiration date. They could also benefit individuals who want to provide commentary on live events that may be difficult to comprehend when taken out of context or irrelevant after the event has concluded.

In 2020, Twitter introduced Fleets, a disappearing post format similar to Instagram Stories, before the emergence of Elon Musk. However, the feature was discontinued in 2021 due to minimal usage.

Threads may be the sole social network among its competitors, including X, Bluesky, and Mastodon, to make temporary posts broadly accessible.