Echo vs. Messages (Talk)
Echo is for reaching everyone, and messages are for one-on-one conversations. Here's a quick guide to which one to use, including timeline and community posts.
"What's the difference between Echo and Talk?" is one of the questions we get most. In short, Echo is for calling out to everyone, and Messages (Talk) are for talking to one person.
At a glance
| Echo | Messages (Talk) | |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Everyone | One-on-one |
| Who can see it | Everyone using aim | Only you and the other person |
| Best for | Your current mood or plans, like "want to grab drinks tonight" or "looking for someone to chat with" | Personal conversations and making plans to meet |
| Replies | Not possible (only 3 types of reactions) | Yes |
| How long it stays | Disappears automatically after 1 month | Doesn't disappear |
| Length | 140 characters | 1000 characters (you can send images too) |
| Where | "Echo" in the bottom tabs | "Message" in the bottom tabs |
Recommended way to use them
- Call out with an echo: Post your current plans in a category like "Cafe/Tea."
- Wait for reactions: People who are interested will tap 👀 Interested or 🙋 Want to Join.
- Talk by message: Open the profile of someone who reacted and send a message to work out the details.
Think of echoes as a way to start a connection and messages as where the actual conversation happens.
About messages (Talk)
- You can send messages even without a matched action (you need at least 1 public photo).
- Use the tabs at the top of your message list to filter by "Unread," "Pinned," "Active actions," "Mutual," and "Following."
- On the Light plan or higher, you can unsend messages within 24 hours of sending them.
How timeline and community posts differ
There are other places to share, too.
| Timeline posts | Community posts | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can see it | Choose from "Public," "Followers," or "Only me" | Members of that community |
| How long it stays | Choose from "No expiration," "24 hours," or "7 days" | No expiration |
| Replies | — | Reply with "Add a comment" |
| Best for | Everyday moments and photos | Conversations about shared hobbies and topics |
If you're not sure, just remember: use Echo to find someone to meet, Messages to talk with a specific person, and Communities to chat with people who share your interests.