It really was a fleeting moment.
Filipino Twitter users immediately shared of missing the now-removed feature of the platform that introduced them to ephemeral posts similar to Instagram Stories.
The platform officially removed Fleets on August 3 (US time) but it was only felt by Filipinos the day after.
This is because Manila is 15 hours ahead of San Francisco, where Twitter is based.
Users say they’re missing the feature after seeing their feed without icons on top. Those who had posted Fleets would have their icons displayed on top, indicating that they have a Fleet.
“Twitter feels so empty without Fleets,” an online user wrote in response to the change.
“Di na ko maka-emote kasi walang Fleets. Hmpf!” another user shared.
“Alaws (wala) na Fleets, ‘di na ko makakapagparinig,” quipped a different Twitter user.
“Parang may kulang tuloy. Nawala kasi ‘yung Fleets. Nakaka-miss ‘yung mga icons sa taas,” another Filipino commented.
Fleets were introduced in November last year with a function similar to that of Instagram Stories. Users can post texts, photos and videos within one day or 24 hours after its posting.
The platform said it is its answer to instances whenever people would want to share personal or casual thoughts, opinions and feelings in an ephemeral way.
The format, it said, was considered a “lower pressure way” for users to talk about what’s happening.
By July 2021, Twitter announced pulling it out as it has not “seen an increase in the number of new people joining the conversation with Fleets” as it had hoped.
It added that it would continue to try “bigger” and “bolder” things to improve public conversations online.
Filipino users on Tuesday savored Fleets’ last hours by sharing selfies, checking out their crush’s content and posting adult content.
