Threads is adding a temporary post feature called “ghost posts,” allowing users to share content that automatically disappears after 24 hours. The update appears to be part of the platform’s ongoing push to offer more flexible and privacy-friendly ways to engage without cluttering a permanent profile.
The concept is straightforward: users can toggle a ghost icon while composing a post, which then appears in their feed as a faint gray chat bubble. After a day, the post vanishes from public view and archives itself automatically. Replies to these posts go directly to the creator’s inbox, but they remain invisible to others—no likes or public interactions will be displayed.
The feature mirrors the short-lived content trend popularized by platforms like Snapchat and Instagram Stories, though Threads’ approach leans more toward ephemeral text than image-based sharing. Users of X (formerly Twitter) have long requested a similar option, often resorting to third-party tools to auto-delete older posts. Threads’ built-in version may appeal to those who want a space to share thoughts without committing them to a long-term feed.
Meta has been gradually layering new capabilities onto Threads since its launch. Earlier tests this year included longer 10,000-character posts, direct messaging, and topic-specific communities. The addition of ghost posts fits into this broader effort to make the platform more interactive while retaining a lower-pressure environment compared to traditional social networks.
While the feature is unlikely to transform Threads overnight, it shows Meta’s continued interest in keeping users engaged through lightweight, low-stakes posting. The grayed-out aesthetic also offers a subtle visual cue that sets these disappearing posts apart without overwhelming the feed’s minimalist design. Whether users adopt it widely will depend on whether they see it as a genuine improvement in control or just another fleeting experiment in social media ephemerality.
