Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to share photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. One of the key features of Snapchat is the ability to control who can view your content. When setting up your Snapchat account, you can choose between a private account or a public account.
What is a private account on Snapchat?
A private account on Snapchat means your profile and content will only be visible to friends you approve. Your profile, name, username, and Snapcode will not show up in any searches on the app. Your stories will only be viewable by friends you add and accept. You have full control over who can see your Snaps on a private account.
Some key things to know about private Snapchat accounts:
- Your profile is invisible to anyone not on your friends list
- Only friends you add can view your stories
- Your name, username, and Snapcode are hidden from searches
- You have to approve friends before they can view your content
- Your privacy settings can only be seen by you
Overall, a private account gives you the most privacy and control over who interacts with you on Snapchat. It’s the best option for avoiding unwanted attention from strangers.
What is a public account on Snapchat?
A public account on Snapchat means your profile and content are visible to everyone on the app. Your profile information, username, Snapcode, and stories will be discoverable by all users. You don’t need to approve friends on a public account.
Here are some key things about public Snapchat accounts:
- Your profile is visible to all Snapchat users
- Anyone can view your public stories
- Your username and Snapcode are searchable
- You don’t have to approve friends or followers
- Your privacy settings are viewable by everyone
Public accounts are best suited for people who want to expand their audience and get more views on Snapchat. Brands, influencers, celebrities, and media companies typically have public accounts to increase visibility. But keep in mind you lose privacy and exclusivity with a public profile.
Can you switch between private and public on Snapchat?
Yes, it’s easy to switch your Snapchat account between private and public at any time. Just go to your profile settings. Under the “Who Can” section you’ll see options to change from a private account to a public account and vice versa.
When switching from private to public:
– Your profile will become visible to all Snapchat users.
– Your username will appear in searches.
– You won’t have to approve new friends or followers.
– Your stories will be viewable by everyone.
When switching from public to private:
– Your profile will become invisible to those not on your friends list.
– Your username and Snapcode will disappear from searches.
– You’ll have to approve new friends requests again.
– Only friends will be able to view your stories.
So feel free to experiment with both private and public settings on Snapchat. You can change back and forth at any point as you see fit.
What are the pros of a private Snapchat account?
Choosing a private Snapchat account has a number of advantages:
- You have total control over who can interact with you.
- There’s less risk of unwanted messages or friend requests.
- Your content stays exclusive to people you know and trust.
- It’s more secure and discreet since you’re invisible to strangers.
- You avoid getting spammed by brands or businesses.
- There’s less pressure to accumulate views and followers.
- You can feel comfortable sharing certain content with real friends.
Overall, a private account creates a tighter-knit social circle on Snapchat. It’s great for avoiding unwelcome attention while still connecting with close friends.
What are the pros of a public Snapchat account?
Choosing a public Snapchat account has some different advantages:
- You can easily get more views and grow an audience.
- It allows you to connect with people you may not know in real life.
- Brands and businesses can discover you more easily.
- Greater potential to go viral since anyone can see your content.
- More Snapchat trophies and achievements are unlocked.
- Feels less restrictive than only sharing with friends.
- Can lead to collaborations, events, or sponsorship opportunities.
Public accounts suit Snapchat influencers, artists, businesses, activists, and extroverted personalities. The increased discoverability comes with more opportunities if you want to build a following.
Should you choose a private or public Snapchat account?
So which option is better – private or public? Here are some things to consider when deciding:
- Private is best if you prioritize privacy from strangers.
- Public is best if you want to gain a wide audience.
- Consider a private account if you only want to interact with real friends.
- A public account builds opportunities with brands and collaborators.
- Choose private if you post sensitive content meant just for close connections.
- Public accounts work for sharing your talents with the world.
In the end, it comes down to your personality and goals on Snapchat. An extrovert who craves attention may thrive on a public account. But an introvert may feel more comfortable in a selective private sphere.
You can always try out both for a while and see which style suits you better. The good news is switching between public and private is quick and easy depending on your mood.
Conclusion
Snapchat offers users both private and public account options. Private accounts provide the most privacy and exclusivity, with full control over who can interact with you. Public accounts offer more potential growth and visibility to strangers. Ultimately it depends on your priorities and preferences. The great thing is you can easily switch between private and public at any time. So feel free to experiment to find the right fit!