People who have recently updated the Twitter app have had their ‘minds blown’ by a new feature launched by the company.
Over the past few days, Twitter has been rolling out a feature called ‘Fleets’ following the trend of other social media giants such as Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat.
Fleets allow users to share fleeting or ‘ephemeral’ thoughts, and after 24 hours, they’ll disappear from view.
They have been introduced by the company as a way users can share more temporary, or casual, thoughts without them staying in the Twittersphere as a permanent record.
On Twitter’s website blog, the team behind the new feature posted: “Twitter’s purpose is to serve the public conversation – it’s where you go to see what's happening and talk about it.
“But 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.”
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Adding: “To help people feel more comfortable, we've been working on a lower pressure way for people to talk about what’s happening.
“Today, we're launching Fleets so everyone can easily join the conversation in a new way – with their fleeting thoughts.”
As users woke up and checked Twitter after their phone automatically updated this morning, many have tweeted their shock at seeing Fleets posted to the top of their feeds.
PrincessSuzy1 said: “Hold on ... twitter has got stories!? What’s going on here”.
Loylecapo posted: “Twitter has gone full old school Snapchat on me now. Wtf.”
Natjonesxx said: “Omg I said if Twitter has a story option my life would be complete and here we areeeee”.
And Bexleyariana tweeted: “Omg I'm so f*****g happy that @Twitter added story.”
It’s fair to say that the new feature has also left many users confused.
Miah_lol posted: “Wtf is everyone talking about fleets for what are use on about”.
Samuel_Jones221: “omg i just got the stories update and - help”.
Normlfc said: “Wtf are the circles with peoples names under on the top of my timeline”.
But one local user is already given the new feature the thumbs up.
Rebeccapc82 said: “I know everyone’s saying they hate them, but I’m proper swiping these fleets like no ones business”.
The feature was originally trialled in Brazil, Italy, India, and South Korea, where Twitter said they learned Fleets helped people feel more comfortable joining the conversation.
Fleets can include text, photos and videos. They will be available at the top of users’ home timelines on Twitter and on the sender’s profile.
