Snapchat’s Snap Map feature allows users to share their locations and see where their friends are on a map. Snap Map Stories takes this a step further by allowing users to create public stories linked to locations that combine Snaps from multiple users. Here’s a look at how Snap Map Stories work:
What are Snap Map Stories?
Snap Map Stories are public, crowdsourced collections of Snaps that are tied to specific locations on the Snap Map. When multiple Snapchat users visit the same place and post Snaps to their Story, those Snaps get compiled into a Snap Map Story for that location. These public Stories appear on the Snap Map for anyone to view, even if they don’t follow the individual users who contributed Snaps.
Snap Map Stories aim to provide snapshots of events, places and moments in time from different perspectives. They give viewers a way to explore what’s happening at a particular spot through the eyes of Snapchat users who are there. Stories for landmarks, concerts, sports games and other events are especially popular.
How are Snap Map Stories created?
There are two ways Snap Map Stories are generated:
- Automatically from public Snapchat Stories – Any Snaps posted to a user’s public Story will be added to the Snap Map Story for their location if Location Services is turned on. Users don’t have to do anything additional to contribute to Map Stories.
- User submissions to Our Story – Users can also choose to submit Snaps directly to the Our Story for a place. Our Stories are curated Snap Map Stories that multiple users can contribute to.
In both cases, the Snaps from various users are combined to create a rolling Story tied to a place on the map. The more people post at a venue or destination, the richer that location’s Story will be.
How to view Snap Map Stories
To view Snap Map Stories, users simply need to open the Snap Map within the Snapchat app and zoom into a location. Any available Stories will appear as circular icons that can be tapped to view the Snaps. The Stories play as slideshows, with each individual Snap advancing to the next after it ends. There are a few ways to access Map Stories:
- Tap a Story icon on the Map – Stories for venues, events or locations appear as colorful circles that can be tapped to view the Snaps.
- Search for a place – Typing a place name in the Snap Map search bar shows relevant Stories for that location.
- View from Snap memories – If you’ve contributed to a Snap Story in the past, you can find it again under the Snap Map memories tab.
Viewers don’t have to follow the individual Snapchat users who posted to be able to see the Map Stories. The Stories are public compilations visible to everyone.
How do you add to a Snap Map Story?
To contribute Snaps to a Snap Map Story, there are two options:
- Post to your personal Story – Turn on Location Services in Snapchat, then post Snaps to your own Story. These are automatically added to Map Stories if you have a public profile.
- Submit to a local Our Story – Open Snap Map, tap the “Our Story” icon at a location, then submit Snaps directly to that shared Story.
When posting to your own Story, keep in mind only public Stories (viewable by anyone) will be integrated into Snap Map Stories. Private Stories visible only to friends do not get added to the Map.
Controlling what appears in Snap Map Stories
Users have a few options for controlling their presence in Snap Map Stories:
- Turn off Location Services – This prevents your Snaps from being added to Map Stories automatically.
- Use Ghost Mode – Ghost Mode hides your location from the Map, including Stories.
- Make your Story private – Private Stories do not get compiled into public Map Stories.
- Remove Snaps – You can also long-press on any Snap in a Story to delete it.
Snapchat says Map Stories only include Snaps from users with public profiles who have opted to share their location. However, turning off Location Services is the only surefire way to avoid appearing in Map Stories completely.
Snap Map Story privacy considerations
Snap Map Stories make it easier than ever to get insight into what’s happening at different locations, but they also raise some privacy concerns, including:
- Location tracking – Your location is visible to Snapchat when Location Services is on, even if you aren’t posting Snaps publicly.
- Data collection – Snapchat collects geographical data for mapping purposes.
- Public visibility – Snaps can be viewed by anyone and may show more than you intended.
- Story caching – Snapchat keeps Map Stories for up to 30 days before deleting them.
Experts recommend reviewing your Snapchat privacy settings, avoiding posting anything too personal or private, and turning off Location Services when you don’t want to be included in Map Stories. While Snap Map Stories provide fun windows into places and events, they require closely managing your sharing preferences to control what appears.
Conclusion
Snap Map Stories enableSnapchat users to get a crowdsourced visual perspective on what’s happening at various locations and venues. By compiling public Snaps from different users at a place into one Story, Snapchat creates living slideshows of events, landmarks and scenes from around the world. Anyone can view Map Stories by zooming into locations on Snap Map, making them a popular way to experience concerts, sporting events, holidays and more through the snaps of attendees. Users contribute by simply posting public Snaps with Location Services enabled, or submitting directly to Our Stories. Overall, Map Stories provide a powerful way to explore the world through the blended Snaps of the Snapchat community.