Twitter welcomes its users to a new feature that has been a conversation for years now. Introducing “Fleets,” also known as Twitter stories. Similar to other popular apps, this feature brings controversy among original or frequent tweeters.
On Tuesday, Twitter released the new feature globally; it performs the same function we have seen on Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. Twitter users will post temporary musings, and they will disappear after 24 hours. Fleets can be responded to but not retweeted or reacted to, which is something Twitter is planning to include. Similar to Instagram, users will not be notified if someone screenshots a fleet. The fleets can be seen in bubbles at the top of your timeline and highlighted in light blue when someone has posted one.
For years, Twitter users have expressed distaste for the idea of Twitter stories. Now that those ideas have been brought to life, many people ask why. The purpose of Twitter is to have an open conversation. However, the social media page feels that with fleets, you can now express your thoughts in a less permanent, more rapid way. “Tweeting is uncomfortable because it feels so public, so permanent, and like there’s so much pressure to rack up Retweets and Likes,” says design director Joshua Harris in an official blog post. With fleets, Twitter hopes to lessen the social pressure around new users that find the app intimidating. Harris adds to the blog post, “those new to Twitter found Fleets to be an easier way to share what’s on their mind.”
Whether an old or new Twitter user, commentary can be seen from all ranges of people. Twitter has received criticism from users thinking the stories feature defeats the purpose of the website. Timelines feel “overcrowded,” according to viral tweets. Not to mention the lack of originality this feature provides. But on the contrary, some argue that fleets add something new to Twitter. “Of all the social media pages, I think we can agree Twitter is the place we go to to be the least professional. We’ll get more real content from fleets, rather than on Instagram, where stories are mainly people trying to flex,” Twitter user Naseem Abdallah (@/NOTudDis) says. Users hope to receive more original content from fleets, rather than see businesses endlessly promote their product as they do on Instagram or Facebook stories.
The future of Twitter and whether fleets will stick around is unknown. For now, Twitter seems to be taking a new direction with its website in the hope of attracting new users and expanding its audience reach. Despite the side you’re on, we can agree on the fact that Twitter needed a change. The social media platform has stayed consistent with its general layout since its first developments in 2006. Twitter is also famous for its loyalty and ability to adapt to the user’s opinions and wants. A fleet could be a blessing in disguise, and users should give it time to flourish first before deciding whether they approve or not.