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What are the basics of Snapchat?

What are the basics of Snapchat?

Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send photo and video messages that disappear after being viewed. The app has a variety of features for messaging, stories, lenses, filters, and more. Here we will cover the basics of how Snapchat works.

How does Snapchat work?

The core functionality of Snapchat is taking a photo or video called a “snap”, adding filters, effects or text if desired, and sending it to friends. The snap disappears after being viewed, usually within 1-10 seconds. This makes the experience feel more like an in-the-moment interaction than a permanent post.

Once a snap is sent, the recipient opens it to view it once, after which it is deleted. The sender is notified when a recipient opens their snap. Replays allow a recipient to view a snap again before it disappears, but replays are limited per day. Recipients can screenshot or record snaps if they want to save them.

Snaps

To take a snap, users tap the capture button in the app and can take a quick photo or hold to record a video. From there, options include adding filters, text, stickers, drawings, and more. Geofilters specific to locations can also be added.

Snaps can be sent directly to friends, or added to your Story which allows all your friends to view them. You can also post snaps to public stories based on events or locations.

Stories

Stories allow you to string multiple snaps together into a narrative that stays available for 24 hours. Friends can view your Story to see what you’ve been up to all day. You can also view friends’ Stories to keep up with their daily activities.

In addition to personal Stories, there are also public Stories centered around events, holidays, or locations. Snapchat curates these public Stories by gathering snaps submitted by users at specific events or places.

Chat

Snapchat also features a Chat section where you can send text, photos, videos and call friends. These messages are not deleted by default and you can scroll back through your conversations. You can chat one-on-one or with groups.

Camera and lenses

Snapchat’s camera has a variety of augmented reality lenses and effects. Lenses add real-time effects and alterations to a user’s face or surroundings, like filters that change your look and facial features. There are also special lenses linked to holidays, events or brands.

Core features

Here are some of the key features that make Snapchat popular:

  • Disappearing messages – Snaps, chats, and stories disappear after being viewed once, creating a feeling of impermanence
  • Augmented reality lenses and filters – Fun ways to alter your look and surroundings
  • Stories – Share daily moments and narratives that disappear after 24 hours
  • Chat – Messaging with friends using text, video, images
  • Snap Map – View snaps and stories linked to locations on a map
  • Discover – Watch curated collections of content from media companies
  • Snapcodes – Add friends easily by scanning their unique Snapcode
  • Bitmoji – Personalized avatars you can customize to look like you

Privacy

Snapchat has some key privacy features:

  • By default, only friends you add can contact you or view your Story
  • You can choose to share your location with friends or no one
  • Enable Ghost Mode to stop sharing your location on the Snap Map
  • Block friends at any time
  • Enable Screenshot notifications to know if someone takes a screenshot of your snap

While snaps disappear, they can be recovered using third-party apps or captured via screenshots. So it’s important to be careful about what you send, even if the app is intended for ephemeral sharing.

Advertising on Snapchat

Brands and businesses have leveraged Snapchat for advertising in a few key ways:

  • Sponsored lenses, filters and geofilters that users can overlay on snaps
  • Sponsored stories – Brand stories promoted in public content
  • Sponsored ads in Discover section
  • Shoppable ads that allow purchases within the app

Snapchat provides detailed analytics to advertisers on views, engagement and conversions. Since Snapchat skews toward a younger demographic, it offers a way to reach millennial and Gen Z audiences.

Snapchat lingo

Here’s a quick glossary of some common Snapchat terms:

Snap A photo or video captured using the app to send to friends
Lens Augmented reality special effects and filters for faces or environments
Geofilter Location-based overlays and stickers specific to neighborhoods, cities, events, etc.
Snapcode A personalized QR code that allows easy friend adding
Snapstreak A notification of the number of consecutive days you’ve snapped with a friend
Replay Viewing a snap again before it expires
Snap Map A map letting you view public snaps by location

Tips for using Snapchat

Here are some handy tips for getting started and using Snapchat effectively:

  • Edit your profile to add a Bitmoji avatar, bio, links, etc. This lets friends learn about you.
  • Customize your privacy settings like who can see your Story or contact you
  • Don’t open snaps right away if you can’t respond – this avoids accidentally opening without replying.
  • Use camera tricks like double tapping to switch cameras and pinch to zoom
  • Draw or add text to your snaps to personalize them before sending.
  • Check Snap Map to see public Stories happening around you
  • Use Snapchat for fun visual communication – send memes, reactions, inside jokes, and more.
  • Leverage new Snapchat features as they are released, like games or group video chat.

Conclusion

Snapchat is a top social app focused on ephemeral photo, video and text messaging with friends. Key aspects include impermanent sharing, stories, filters, lenses, discovering content, and visual communication. For brands, Snapchat offers advertising opportunities through sponsored lenses, geofilters, stories and ads.

By understanding Snapchat’s core features for messaging and stories, how to use lenses and filters, plus tips for customizing privacy, you can have fun connecting with friends in a more casual and temporary way. Aspects like the Snap Map and Discover also open up experiences for learning about what’s happening around the world.