Snapchat

What is Snapchat?

Everyone loves using filters to help create the perfect selfie. Snapchat has contributed a lot towards the huge rise in the use of filters. 

So what is Snapchat?

It is a multimedia messaging, social media application. Snapchat was founded by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, Reggie Brown under the company Snap.Inc 2011. In fact, it was the first-ever application to come out with temporary messages, which disappear after 24 hours. 

The app was initially launched to enhance person-to-person sharing of photos and videos and make the process quicker and easier. Snapchat also introduced the first “story” feature that allowed users to capture and upload stories on their accounts that would expire in 24 hours. Snapchat is one of the most popular social media networks globally and has 265 million active users. It is estimated that on average 4 million snaps are sent every day across the globe  

Let’s learn more about Snapchat’s features. 

Features

Here are the features of Snapchat that make it so popular among users. 

1. Snaps

Users can send each other ‘snaps,’ photos, or videos. Users can send snaps from their device’s gallery or capture and send them from Snapchat’s built-in camera and gallery. Snapchat has its own gallery that stores users’ snaps. This makes for a more convenient User Experience (UX) as they can access this gallery on any device as long as they log in to their account. Snapchat was the first application to develop disappearing correspondence; users can send each other media and messages that disappear as soon as the users exit the chatbox. 

2. Transparency

Snapchat is fully transparent when it comes to correspondence between users. This is related to the disappearing chat and media feature; Snapchat lets users see if someone ‘saved’ a message in the chat, screenshot the conversation, or screen-recorded a snap. Of course, there are still ways to “save” the disappearing content. However, the app’s built-in features leave very little room for it, and that is a plus. Users can also see who viewed their story. 

3. Stories

Users can upload stories of what they’re doing as they go about their day; these stories expire in 24 hours. Snapchat lets users customize who can view their stories through the “custom” feature in settings. This is great for users who want to protect their privacy or compartmentalize between official and casual content. 

4. Filters

Snapchat has an endless array of filters and lenses to choose from when capturing a photo or video. Users can select funny filters, filter games, and “beauty” enhancing filters to capture themselves. Additionally, Snapchat has “geofilters”; filters that only appear when you’re in a particular location, such as vacation or tourist spots around the world. Snapchat also makes trending filters for holidays and popular trends around the globe. Snapchat also has a built-in doodle tool so you can add text and doodle on your snaps. 

5. Streaks

Snapchat has a feature called “streaks”; users can have snap streaks with other users if they send each other snaps daily. Snapchat also anoints users as your ‘best friend’ if you consistently interact with each other on the app. 

6. Video and Voice Call

Snapchat allows users to make video and voice calls to each other. Moreover, users can enable whatever filter they like while on the video calls.

7. Discover Feed

Snapchat’s discover feed lets users find new accounts, watch entertaining content through their stories, and view ads from businesses related to their likes. 

The Bottom Line

Snapchat is a leading social media networking app for many reasons; it was a pioneer in developing disappearing correspondence and stories on social media platforms. The app’s user base continues to grow due to its unique features and appeal.