Why changing the position property to relative on the after style change its size?

Question

https://code.sololearn.com/WcyYzTTnF3ha/?ref=app
One more question:
Content here has a value of empty string. So, why removing and adding the content property make changes?

Answer 1

summary:
All pseudo classes like ::before and ::after have default display of inline

And elements that have no content in position relative + display of inline will not take any width.

reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/40316496/difference-between-relative-positioned-pseudo-element-and-absolute-positioned-ps

Answer 2

🔫 Rick Grimes thanks man