Twitter’s purpose is to serve the public conversation – it’s where people go to see what’s happening and talk about it.
But some say Tweeting is uncomfortable because it feels so public, so permanent, and like there’s so much pressure to rack up Retweets and Likes That’s why, unfortunately, there are so many Tweets left in drafts!
So that people may feel more comfortable, Twitter worked on a lower pressure way for people to talk about what’s happening. Twitter launched “Fleets” so everyone can easily join the conversation in a new way – with their fleeting thoughts.
Fleets are for sharing momentary thoughts that help start conversations and only stick around for 24 hours. Through tests in Brazil, Italy, India, and South Korea, Twitter learned it helped people feel more comfortable joining the conversation and talk more on Twitter. Those new to Twitter found Fleets to be an easier way to share what’s on their mind. Because they disappear from view after a day, Fleets helped people feel more comfortable sharing personal and casual thoughts, opinions, and feelings. These are early findings from Twitter’s tests and made them excited to learn more about how Fleets are used by people.
Users can now Fleet text, reactions to Tweets, photos or videos and customize Fleets with various background and text options. To share a Tweet in a Fleet, tap the “Share” icon at the bottom of the Tweet and then tap, “Share in Fleet.” Then, people can add their thoughts and think about it with some text or emojis. Soon, stickers and live broadcasting will be available in Fleets.
Followers can see their Fleets at the top of their home timeline. Anyone who can see one’s full profile can see their Fleets there, too. If there are open Direct Messages, anyone can reply to the Fleets. If you want to reply to a Fleet, tap on it to send a Direct Message or emoji to the author, and continue the conversation in your Direct Messages. Learn more about how Fleets work here. Fleets will be updated over time with new features, based on your feedback.
This format may sound familiar but Twitter learned that some people feel more comfortable joining conversations on Twitter with this ephemeral format, so what they’re saying lives just for a moment in time rather than forever. In the coming days, everyone globally will have Fleets on Twitter for iOS and Android. Fleet or @ us with what you think!