Threads Tests Spoiler Text, Says Zuckerberg

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, stated in a post that the microblogging site Threads is testing spoiler text that would allow you to conceal text or images that contain spoilers. By tapping an image or highlighting text and choosing the “mark spoiler” option, you will be able to blur content throughout the test.

The term “spoiler text” describes words (or images) that are greyed out in a post and can only be read by clicking on them. As the name implies, spoiler text is frequently used on websites like Reddit or Discord to facilitate discussions about upcoming films, TV series, or novels without unintentionally giving away plot details and surprises to those who aren’t yet familiar with the work.

Alec Booker, a representative for Meta, told The Verge that this is a “global test,” although it’s unclear how many people will be able to access it.

By pressing or clicking the spoiler, other users can see the concealed content. Although it’s never enjoyable to scroll past unexpected spoilers, it’s good to see another platform implementing the function. Reddit also allows you to hide posts or comments using its “spoiler” tag.

In addition to improving the user’s quality of life, this benefits Meta by promoting more discussions about pop culture without individuals worrying about spoiling others.

During their seasons, popular shows like “The Last of Us” and “The White Lotus” frequently trended on Threads, demonstrating the app’s expanding user base of pop culture and entertainment fans, according to a news release from Meta.

Other situations, such as blurring out non-violent information or images that can nonetheless turn off certain people, can also benefit from the usage of spoiler text. (Observing my buddy who posts #BruiseWatch updates following their Frisbee matches.)

Spoiler text and images have not yet been made available to all users as this functionality is still in testing. Text or photos can be designated as spoilers by highlighting them before uploading and then choosing “mark spoiler” from the menu that displays for those who have it.

Additionally, spoilers will appear slightly differently on different devices. Spoilers are obscured by a grey block on a desktop, but on a mobile device, they show up as a collection of floating dots (as shown in the GIF above). “We’re working to improve the desktop experience, but this feature is currently optimized for mobile,” Booker stated.