Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to share photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. It has become one of the top ways people communicate and share content, especially among younger audiences. Here’s a look at some of the key things you need to know about Snapchat.
The Basics
Snapchat was created in 2011 by Evan Spiegel, Reggie Brown, and Bobby Murphy. The premise was to allow people to share moments that disappear after being viewed once. This provided a more private, intimate way to share than traditional public social media.
Users can take photos or videos (called snaps), add text, drawings, filters, music and more. These snaps are shared with friends in the app and can be viewed for 1-10 seconds before disappearing.
The app gained rapid popularity after launching, especially among teens and young adults. By 2012 it already had over 100 million snaps being sent per day.
Some of the core features of Snapchat include:
- Snaps – Photos/videos that disappear after being viewed.
- Stories – Photos/videos compiled together that remain available for 24 hours.
- Filters – Fun special effects and lenses that can be added to snaps.
- Chat – Messaging friends within the app.
- Discover – Watch curated content from brands, publishers, celebrities.
- Snap Map – See where friends are located on a map.
Snapchat User Statistics
Here are some key stats on who uses Snapchat and how often:
- More than 265 million daily active users as of Q4 2022.
- Over 75% of Snapchat users are between the ages of 13-24.
- Users spend an average of 30+ minutes per day on Snapchat.
- 60% of users create content every day.
- The app reaches 90% of all 13-24 year olds and 75% of all 13-34 year olds in the US.
Clearly the youth market, especially teens, dominate the Snapchat landscape. However, usage has been increasing among older demographics as well.
Features
Let’s explore some of the main features that make Snapchat popular and unique:
Snaps
The core of Snapchat is sharing photos and videos called snaps. Users take a snap, add filters, effects, text or drawings, then select friends to send it to. Snaps disappear after being viewed once. Users are notified if a recipient takes a screenshot of their snap.
Stories
With stories, snaps are compiled together to create a narrative that remains available for 24 hours. Stories give a glimpse into what someone is doing throughout the day. Users can also create stories to group events together like vacations, concerts, etc.
Filters & Lenses
Thousands of filters are available on Snapchat that add fun effects, graphics, and music to snaps. Popular examples include the dog filter, flower crown, face-swapping lenses, and more. Lenses use advanced facial recognition technology to add effects that move when a user moves their face.
Snap Map
If activated, the Snap Map allows users to share their location on a map so friends can see where they are. Location sharing needs to be enabled, otherwise a user’s Bitmoji will just appear at their most frequently used location.
Chat & Video Chat
Users can chat or video chat with friends through the app. Like snaps, chats disappear once viewed. Users are notified if the recipient takes a screenshot. Video calling makes it easy to have face-to-face conversations.
Snap Originals
Snapchat has expanded into original TV-like series and shows produced exclusively for the app. These mini-series can range from comedy to drama and documentaries. Snap Originals represent the platform’s venture into original content.
Our Stories
Our Stories compile together public snaps from events and locations to share what’s happening in the world. For example, you can view Our Story at a concert or major sports game to see the event unfold from multiple perspectives.
Memories
Memories allows users to save their sent snaps, stories, and messages in one private location. So even though shared snaps disappear, users can still look back at ones they’ve saved to Memories.
Snapchat Discover
Discover is a feature where users can watch curated content from major publishers, media companies, brands, celebrities and more. Discover offers everything from news to entertainment.
Snapchat Ads
Snapchat has an advertising platform enabling businesses to create sponsored lenses, filters, and stories to promote brands and products. Snap ads embed natively into the visual, fun style of the app.
Tips for Using Snapchat
Here are some helpful tips for effectively using Snapchat:
- Edit your snaps – Use the editing tools to draw, add text, music, emojis, etc. This makes your snaps more unique and fun.
- Views your memories – Look back at your saved stories, snaps, messages and more by tapping the Memories section.
- Share to your Story – Compile snaps together to create a narrative story that lasts 24 hours.
- Watch Discover – Check out the Discover section for curated content from publishers.
- See the Map – Enable location sharing and see where your friends are on the Map.
- Video call friends – Have face-to-face conversations using the video chat feature.
- Snap creative content – Use Snapchat at events, concerts, traveling, etc. to share fun visual content.
Parental Concerns
Snapchat is extremely popular among teens, which raises some concerns for parents:
Disappearing Content
Parents may worry that disappearing snaps and chats could encourage risky behavior since there’s no evidence retained. Teens may also prefer Snapchat since parents can’t monitor their activity.
Location Sharing
Sharing location on the Snap Map can enable tracking or unwanted contact if not used cautiously. Parents will want kids to disable Snap Map sharing or use the “Ghost Mode” to hide their location.
Screenshot Notification
While notified if someone screenshots their snap, precautions should still be taken with sensitive content. The recipient could still take a photo of the snap before it disappears using another device.
Communication With Strangers
Like most social apps, Snapchat presents risks of inappropriate contact with strangers. Parents may want to review their child’s friend list and limit communication only to people they know.
Addiction
Snapchat’s threads and stories feature fosters constant browsing. Teens may become addicted to using Snapchat on a frequent, compulsive basis. Time limits and moderation is advised.
Conclusion
Snapchat has cemented itself as one of the top social apps, especially for younger generations who love sharing quick, fun photos and videos. Snapchat provides a more intimate social experience than traditional public platforms like Facebook.
With its engaging mix of ephemeral messaging, Stories, lenses, filters and video chat, Snapchat makes it easy to share experiences in the moment. While teens dominate the user base, Snapchat has also seen growth among older demographics looking for a more private, discreet social option. Going forward, Snapchat aims to expand revenue by increasing its original video content and advertising opportunities.