Content shared via the Facebook Stories feature is designed to have a limited lifespan. This temporary nature is a core characteristic of the platform’s implementation of the stories format, meaning posted images and videos will not remain visible indefinitely. For instance, a user sharing a highlight from their day will find that content unavailable to viewers after a set period.
The ephemeral nature of this feature offers several benefits. It encourages users to share more freely, as they know the content is not permanent. This can lead to increased user engagement and more frequent posting. This functionality mirrors similar features introduced by other social media platforms seeking to provide users with more casual sharing options. Previously, social media content was generally considered more permanent, leading to a different approach to what was shared.