Snapchat subscriptions allow users to pay a monthly fee to access exclusive content from their favorite creators and publishers on the platform. Subscriptions provide creators with a way to monetize their audience and build deeper relationships with their most engaged fans.
How do Snapchat subscriptions work?
Creators can choose to offer subscriptions through their Snapchat account. They set the price, which can range from $0.99 to $49.99 per month.
Users who subscribe gain access to exclusive Stories, custom Snapchat lenses, badges and emojis to use in chat, and other benefits offered by each creator.
Subscriptions are purchased and managed directly through Snapchat. Users can subscribe by going to the creator’s profile and tapping the “Subscribe” button.
The monthly fee is billed to the payment method linked to their Snapchat account. Users can cancel subscriptions at any time.
Creators can publish subscriber-only content to their Snapchat Story. These Stories are marked with a purple emoji icon and are only visible to users who have subscribed.
Subscriber badges also appear next to subscribers’ names in chat.
Types of Snapchat subscriptions
There are a few main types of subscriptions available on Snapchat:
Individual creators – Users can subscribe to popular Snapchat creators to get exclusive content. These are often social media influencers, online personalities, and celebrities.
Media publishers – Major news, entertainment and sports publishers like ESPN, NBC News, and BuzzFeed offer subscriptions that unlock newsletters, shows, and other subscriber-only content.
Products and brands – Some brands use Snapchat subscriptions to promote loyalty programs and early access to new products.
Benefits of subscribing
Snapchat subscriptions allow closer, elevated relationships between creators and fans that is difficult to replicate for free.
The exclusive content, chat benefits, special access and other subscriber-only perks let paying supporters go deeper with their favorite Snapchat personalities in exchange for a monthly fee.
For the biggest superfans on Snapchat, the ability to get VIP status and privileges with beloved creators makes subscriptions well worth the cost.
Access to Exclusive content like Behind-the-scenes
Subscribers can view exclusive Stories and Snaps that feature behind-the-scenes footage, daily vlogs, enhanced filters and lenses, and other special content that gives them a privileged viewing experience.
For fans who crave more intimate access into the lives of their favorite Snapchat celebrities, influencers, and creators, the subscriber-only content provides that insider perspective into their daily activities, creative process, and personal life updates.
Chat perks
Subscribers on Snapchat stand out from normal followers with special perks like badges, emojis, and other indicators attached to their account.
These VIP symbols visually set subscribers apart in comment sections and chats, demonstrating their financial support and loyalty to the creator.
Subscribers also tend to receive priority responses and engagement from the creators and publishers themselves. Many creators promise more frequent replies, answers to questions, and one-on-one interactions with their paying fans rather than those just watching for free.
For subscribers who want meaningful back-and-forth with those they admire and follow, the higher degree of direct access and responsiveness is a major benefit.
Merch, discounts and perks
Some creators and brands offer exclusive merchandise, events, promotions and other special perks strictly for their subscribers as well.
Paid subscribers may get first access to new merchandise drops, limited-edition physical goods, or digital products that won’t be available to the general public.
Subscriber-only contests, meet-and-greets, livestreams, and other events provide paying fans with amazing in-real-life experiences and interaction opportunities that money can’t typically buy.
Whether it’s getting discounts in online stores, early previews of upcoming projects, or other subscriber perks, fans on Snapchat gain more privileged membership within their favorite creator’s inner circle.
Drawbacks of subscriptions
Even though Snapchat subscriptions provide exclusive perks for loyal fans, there are some potential drawbacks users should consider before subscribing.
They cost money
The most obvious issue is the monthly cost, which can range from $0.99 on the low end up to $49.99 per month for some premium accounts.
These recurring fees add up over time, especially for users subscribed to multiple creators. With many popular Snapchat personalities pushing paid subscriptions, maintaining several subscriptions simultaneously could quickly become an expensive habit for fans.
Users will want to carefully evaluate if each subscription they purchase will provide enough value to justify the monthly expense.
They could encourage creators to hold back
Another concern is that exclusive subscriber-only content could encourage creators to strategically withhold their best and most interesting material for paying fans rather than share widely.
Some observers argue subscriptions may perversely incentivize creators to save premium content “behind the paywall” rather than post freely for their general audience.
This could degrade the experience for non-paying loyal fans who helped build the creator’s platform and popularity from the start.
Managing multiple subscriptions is a tricky task
More subscriptions means more account management overhead.
Keeping track of billing dates, cancelling unwanted subscriptions, monitoring multiple feeds, and navigating different subscriber perks can become a hassle, especially for users signed up to a large number of creators.
Subscription fatigue is real – users may get worn out trying to keep up with too many subscriptions and exclusive content libraries from different accounts.
There’s no guarantee for meaningful access or interaction with creators.
Subscribing does not guarantee users will get meaningful access or interactions with creators themselves.
Some subscribers feel let down when their paid membership does not result in personal replies, responses, or engagement from the influencers and celebrities they admire.
Disappointment can arise when subscribers don’t feel the promised level of VIP treatment and community after paying their hard-earned money.
While Snapchat subscriptions provide benefits, users should weigh the monthly costs against these potential pitfalls before committing their cash.
As with any paid membership program, subscribers receive the most value when creators deliver on their promises of exclusive content and privileged fan experiences.
Tips for managing subscriptions
Here are some tips to get the most value out of Snapchat subscriptions:
- Only subscribe to creators you regularly watch and enjoy. Avoid blindly subscribing without evaluating if it will be worth it.
- Review the exclusive benefits being offered before subscribing. Make sure they provide value to you.
- Monitor how often you actually view subscriber-only content. If you rarely watch, it may not be worth the cost.
- Set a monthly budget for Snapchat subscriptions so costs don’t get out of hand.
- Cancel subscriptions you no longer use or enjoy. You can always resubscribe later if you change your mind.
Subscription alternatives
For fans who want to support their favorite Snapchat creators without paying for subscriptions, there are a few alternative options to consider.
The simplest way is to continue engaging with the creator’s free public content. Viewing, liking, commenting on, and sharing their non-exclusive Stories and Snaps still helps boost their visibility and recognition on the platform.
Non-paying fans can provide value by being active supporters even without accessing subscriber-only content.
Another great option is to make a one-time donation through third-party services like Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee. Platforms like these allow fans to tip and send cash gifts directly to creators in a simple transaction.
Even a small donation can be meaningful for creators while avoiding an ongoing monthly subscription.
True superfans can also gift subscriptions to other fans. Buying gift subscriptions for friends is a creative way to expand the creator’s subscriber base and exposure through positive word-of-mouth. Gift subscribers may organically become paying subscribers themselves after seeing firsthand the benefits of the exclusive content and perks.
Beyond direct financial support, non-paying fans can provide feedback, ideas, and suggestions to help creators improve their content. Constructive comments and engagement creates value for creators by giving them insights into what resonates most with fans. Users can play an active role in shaping the creator’s future content and business decisions.
Merchandise purchases are another great subscription alternative. Buying creator-designed clothing, accessories, and other items generates revenue while giving fans stylish ways to showcase their fandom.
Paid merchandise is a win-win for creators and fans alike.
While subscriptions are now commonplace on Snapchat, non-paying supporters still have options to add value through engagement, feedback, merch purchases, and other creator-focused activities.
Fans can choose the best approach that matches their budget and level of desired involvement with the creator.
As Snapchat continues growing as an entertainment and social media platform, subscriptions could become an increasingly important way for the company to generate revenue and help creators build their business on Snapchat.