In a move that captures the spirit of Halloween, Meta has launched a new feature for its Threads platform called Ghost Posts, enabling users to share updates that disappear automatically after 24 hours. Designed to promote spontaneity and privacy, these temporary posts are a welcome addition to the growing array of features aimed at rivaling X. As per Meta’s announcement, Ghost Posts encourage users to express their thoughts “without the pressure of permanence or polish.” This feature allows users to share freely, experiment with their ideas, and communicate without concerns about long-term visibility.
In contrast to regular Threads posts, replies to Ghost Posts are not visible in the public comment section; instead, they are sent directly to the user’s DMs, facilitating a more private and personal interaction. This design enhances confidentiality, making Ghost Posts suitable for casual thoughts or time-sensitive discussions. Notably, only the author of a Ghost Post can see who liked or responded to their post, highlighting the personal nature of these ephemeral interactions. To create a Ghost Post, users tap the ghost icon while composing their post, receiving a notification that the update will disappear after 24 hours. On the feed, Ghost Posts can be identified by their distinctive dotted outlines, indicating their temporary nature.
The launch is timely, coinciding with Halloween, as Meta embraces the spooky season both thematically and playfully. The company hinted at the feature’s purpose—allowing users to “embrace the ephemeral” while sharing light-hearted or experimental content. This new feature complements Meta’s recent efforts to enhance engagement and versatility on Threads. Earlier this month, the platform introduced Threads Communities, where users can engage in discussions based on shared interests, with each community featuring a custom emoji as a like button, such as a basketball icon for NBA community posts. Additionally, Threads is evolving to support long-form content, allowing users to post texts up to 10,000 characters, a significant increase from the previous 500-character limit, which facilitates more detailed insights and conversations.
Meta has also included a spoiler protection option, allowing users to conceal parts of their posts that may contain spoilers for movies, shows, or sports events. This considerate feature ensures discussions remain inclusive and does not spoil surprises for followers who have not yet caught up. Meta’s continuous updates reflect its goal of transforming Threads into a comprehensive social platform that accommodates various communication styles, whether users favor casual, private chats or in-depth discussions. With Ghost Posts, Meta combines privacy, creativity, and seasonal charm, encouraging users to share their fleeting thoughts before they vanish into the digital realm—much like a ghost.