Snapchat introduced geotags as a way for users to share their location when posting snaps. Geotags display the name of a location, city, or venue at the bottom of a snap. They provide context on where a snap was taken. Geotags are an optional feature that users can choose to add to their snaps before sharing.
What is a Snapchat Geotag?
A Snapchat geotag identifies the location where a snap was taken. When users take a snap, they have the option to add a geotag by tapping on the location pin icon in the top right corner of the camera screen. This will open a map view where they can search for and select a specific location to tag their snap with.
Once a geotag is added, the name of the location appears in small text at the bottom of the snap. When viewers receive the snap, they can tap on the geotag to see the location pinned on a map within Snapchat. Geotags enable users to easily let their friends know where they are and what places they are visiting.
How Do Geotags Work?
Snapchat uses GPS technology in mobile devices to identify locations. When users open the Snapchat app, it accesses the phone’s location services to determine the geographic coordinates of where the phone is located. This allows Snapchat to generate a list of nearby places that can be used as geotags.
In addition to using GPS, Snapchat maintains a database of over 30 million locations around the world. This includes popular landmarks, businesses, restaurants, parks, and other public venues. If a user is snapping at one of these known locations, the corresponding geotag will automatically appear as an option to add.
Geotags only appear if the user’s phone has location services enabled for Snapchat. The accuracy of the tags depends on the strength of the GPS signal at the snap’s location. For example, geotags work best outdoors in open areas versus inside buildings where signals may be weaker.
Why Do People Use Geotags?
Snapchat users enjoy using geotags for several reasons:
- Show off where they are – Geotags let users share cool, interesting, or famous places they visit.
- Tell a story – Adding geotags provides context to snaps and stories.
- Remember places – Geotags create a visual journal of locations users have been.
- Discover new spots – Users can explore new nearby places based on friends’ geotagged snaps.
- Promote businesses – Brands can geotag snaps at retail stores or events to increase visibility.
Overall, geotags make Snapchat more interactive and engaging by tying snaps to real-world locations. They add another layer of context and information to the snapping experience.
Types of Snapchat Geotags
Snapchat offers three main types of geotags:
1. Standard Geotags
These are commonly used geotags that appear automatically based on the snap’s GPS location. They can include cities, neighborhoods, landmarks, parks, businesses, restaurants, and other public places. Standard geotags simply identify the name of the location.
2. Sponsored Geotags
Businesses can pay Snapchat to create a special geotag that features their brand name and artwork. These sponsored geotags promote events, stores, or locations related to the brand. They appear when users are snapping in the vicinity of the business.
3. Custom Geotags
Users can create their own custom geotags by submitting an application to Snapchat. Custom geofilters enable users to design geotags for their homes, parties, weddings, neighborhoods, and other private events. These require approval and a payment from Snapchat before they appear in the app.
How Much Do Snapchat Geofilters and Geotags Cost?
The cost to use geotags on Snapchat depends on whether it is a standard geotag, sponsored geotag, or custom geotag.
Standard Geotags
Snapchat’s regular geotags that appear based on GPS location are always free for users. There is no cost to add standard geotags from Snapchat’s database of public places.
Sponsored Geotags
For businesses, creating a sponsored geotag for a brand or location has these pricing options:
| Time Period | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 Day | $500 |
| 3 Days | $1,200 |
| 7 Days | $1,800 |
| 14 Days | $3,000 |
| 30 Days | $5,000 |
As shown in the table, sponsored geotags can range from $500 for 1 day to $5,000 for 30 days. The longer the time period, the higher the cost to promote a brand or location.
Custom Geotags
Users can create custom geofilters for personal events by submitting an application on Snapchat and paying these fees:
| Event Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Birthday (for an individual) | $5 |
| Wedding (for one venue) | $99 |
| Party (one filter for the event) | $10 |
| Graduation (one filter for the event) | $99 |
| Holiday Party (one filter for the event) | $20 |
Pricing is based per event and starts at $5 for an individual birthday geofilter. Weddings, graduations, and larger parties cost more at $99 each. The custom option allows people to design their own graphics.
Who Pays for Snapchat Geotags?
The entity who covers the cost of Snapchat geotags depends on the type:
- Standard geotags – These regular location tags are free for Snapchat users. Snapchat absorbs the costs of maintaining its location database.
- Sponsored geotags – Businesses pay Snapchat to create and display branded geotags. These promote events, stores, or locations.
- Custom geotags – Individual users pay Snapchat to design and use custom geotags for personal events like birthdays or weddings.
In general, Snapchat monetizes geotags by charging businesses for sponsored tags and individuals for custom designs. Standard geographic tags based on GPS locations remain free for all users.
How to Get a Free Snapchat Geotag
While sponsored and custom Snapchat geotags require payment, there are a few ways to get free geotags:
- Use Snapchat’s standard geotagging for public places and landmarks.
- Check Snapchat’s On-Demand Geofilter program – during certain events they offer free custom geotags.
- Become a brand partner – Snapchat sometimes gives free sponsored geofilters to official partners.
- Wait for a special promotion – Occasionally Snapchat offers free geofilters on holidays or other occasions.
The most reliable way to freely add geotags is by using Snapchat’s default database of tens of millions of locations worldwide. While custom and sponsored tags require paying Snapchat, standard public geotags will always remain free to attach to snaps.
Pros and Cons of Snapchat Geotags
Here are some key advantages and disadvantages of using location tagging on Snapchat:
Pros
- Make snaps more engaging and informative
- Enable discovery of new places based on tags
- Help document memories and travels
- Fun way to interact with friends
- Promote businesses and events (sponsored tags)
Cons
- Costs money for sponsored and custom tags
- Can track user locations and raise privacy concerns
- Not always accurate if GPS signal is weak
- Can be abused by strangers to locate people
- Limited effectiveness for businesses (sponsored tags)
Conclusion
Snapchat geotags provide an optional way to tag snaps with location information. The main costs include:
- Standard public geotags – Free for users
- Sponsored geotags – $500 to $5,000 for businesses
- Custom geotags – $5 to $99 for individuals
Geotags can enrich the Snapchat experience by displaying place names and enabling location discovery. However, privacy risks are a downside and sponsored business uses may provide limited value. Overall, Snapchat geotags are a fun way to engage friends when used properly.