Threads introduces spoiler-hiding feature to enhance user experience

Meta is introducing a new feature on Threads aimed at improving the browsing experience by allowing users to hide spoilers within their posts. As announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the platform is currently testing a tool that enables users to blur out potentially spoiler-heavy text or images, helping others avoid seeing unexpected plot details or key moments from movies, shows, or games.

The process is simple: users can highlight text or tap on an image and select the “mark spoiler” option, which will then obscure the content. This hidden content can still be accessed by others, but only after they choose to reveal it by tapping or clicking on the blurred area. It’s a voluntary interaction that puts control into the hands of the viewer—whether they want to be exposed to the information or not.

While spoiler-hiding isn’t a new concept in the social media world—Reddit, for example, has long offered a similar functionality through its own spoiler tag—its inclusion in Threads represents a thoughtful move by Meta to create a more considerate environment for content sharing. The addition is especially relevant in an age where entertainment content is released globally at different times, making it easy for unintentional spoilers to spread rapidly.

Meta spokesperson Alec Booker confirmed to The Verge that this is a global test, although he didn’t specify how widely the feature is being distributed during this early phase. For now, it appears that only a limited group of users will be able to try it out.

The way spoilers are visually presented will differ depending on the device. On desktop versions of Threads, spoilers are concealed behind a plain gray block, maintaining a clean and straightforward look. On mobile, however, the feature takes on a more visually distinctive style, using a cloud of floating dots to obscure the content, as demonstrated in an animated preview released by Meta. According to Booker, the feature is currently optimized for mobile use, with ongoing efforts to enhance its appearance and functionality for desktop users as well.

The decision to prioritize mobile compatibility aligns with user behavior trends, as the majority of Threads users interact with the platform on smartphones. However, Meta’s acknowledgment of desktop users suggests that full cross-platform consistency is part of the long-term development plan.

The new spoiler-tagging option is part of a broader initiative by Meta to provide users with more control over their content and the way it is consumed by others. In doing so, the company aims to encourage more thoughtful interactions and prevent unwanted surprises—especially when it comes to content that may be sensitive or time-dependent.

For now, users can look forward to a more tailored and respectful social media experience as Threads continues to test and refine this feature. Whether it’s avoiding spoilers for the latest blockbuster or simply giving users the option to choose when and how they engage with certain types of content, this latest update marks another step toward building a more adaptable and user-friendly platform.