Threads introduces ‘ghost posts’ that disappear after 24 hours
When composing a new Thread, users will now notice a small ghost icon beside the post button. Activating it turns the post into a Ghost Post, meaning the post is visible to followers and the public for 24 hours before it automatically fades away from feeds.
Meta’s text-based platform, Threads, is stepping further into the social media spotlight with a brand-new feature designed to make online sharing more spontaneous and less permanent.
The company has officially rolled out “Ghost Posts”, disappearing updates that vanish from public view after 24 hours.
More To Read
- Parliament warns Kenyans against fake Bills, false Cabinet vetting letter circulating online
- Threads introduces group chat to boost communities for creators
- Tanzania’s social media clampdown and the elections – what’s at risk
- France moves to ban minors from social media with bold 'digital curfew'
- Kenyans hooked on social media, spending up to six hours a day - survey
- Wildlife at risk: TikTok sellers caught peddling endangered species in West Africa
How ghost posts work
When composing a new Thread, users will now notice a small ghost icon beside the post button. Activating it turns the post into a Ghost Post, meaning the post is visible to followers and the public for 24 hours before it automatically fades away from feeds.
After the timer runs out, the post is removed from public timelines but remains saved privately in the user’s archive, where it can be re-posted or deleted permanently.
But in a twist on engagement, public replies are disabled for these posts. Instead, reactions and responses are sent privately to the creator’s inbox, shifting interactions from the public square to one-on-one conversations.
Likes and reposts are also hidden once the post disappears.
Meta says this feature aims to “make sharing feel more natural, like a real conversation that does not need to live forever online.”
Since its debut in mid-2023, Threads has positioned itself as a calmer, friendlier alternative to X (formerly Twitter).
Yet, many users have hesitated to share personal thoughts or quick takes that might linger indefinitely.
Bringing that model to text could make Threads more approachable, especially for users who want to share ideas without overthinking.”
Threads’ new feature also serves as a competitive play for rival platforms like Bluesky, Mastodon, and X, which have been fighting for attention, while Instagram’s “Stories” format continues to dominate visual ephemeral sharing.
Meta says Ghost Posts are rolling out globally this week across iOS, Android, and the web. The company plans to monitor engagement metrics closely before expanding the feature with scheduling and analytics tools.
Top Stories Today
