Quick Answer
When someone sends you a friend request on Snapchat and you accept it, you are agreeing to add them as a friend on Snapchat. This allows you to send snaps (photos/videos) back and forth with that person. You will also be able to view their public Snapchat story if they have one. Accepting a friend request gives that person access to view your public Snapchat story as well. It does not allow them to view your private messages or memories unless you intentionally send those to the friend. Accepting a friend request simply connects you as friends on the app.
Explaining the Snapchat Friend Request Process
Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send disappearing photo and video messages called “snaps” to their friends. In order to snap with someone on Snapchat, you must add them as a friend. Here is an overview of how the Snapchat friend request process works:
Sending a Friend Request
To add someone as a friend on Snapchat, you must first search for their username and then send them a friend request. This is done by tapping the “Add Friend” icon from their profile screen. When you send someone a friend request, they will receive a notification that you want to add them as a friend.
Accepting a Friend Request
If someone sends you a friend request, you have the option to accept or ignore it. If you want to become friends with that person and connect with them on Snapchat, you would accept their friend request. When you accept it, that user is added to your friend list and vice versa.
Accepting a friend request allows you to:
- Send snaps back and forth with that friend
- View and contribute to shared Snapchat stories if you both have them
- See their public Snapchat story if they have one
- See their Snapchat score and emoji
Accepting a request does not allow access to your private messages or memories. You have to intentionally send those snaps to a friend for them to view it.
Declining or Ignoring a Request
If you do not want to connect with someone on Snapchat, you can decline their friend request by tapping the “X” icon. This prevents them from viewing any part of your Snapchat account.
You can also ignore a friend request, which just leaves it pending. The user will not know if you’ve seen their request or not unless you accept, decline, block them, or report as spam.
Why People Send Snapchat Friend Requests
There are a few main reasons why someone may send you a friend request on Snapchat:
1. To Connect with Friends
The most basic reason is simply to connect with their real friends on the app. Snapchat is built around sharing moments and chatting with your close friends list. Sending Snapchat friend requests allows people to easily build up their Snapchat network.
2. To Connect with New People
Snapchat users often add new friends they meet in real life such as classmates, coworkers, friends of friends, etc. People also add friends they’ve met online through mutual interests or social media connections. Expanding Snapchat friendships opens up new possibilities for snapping.
3. To Follow Celebrities or Influencers
Many popular social media stars, athletes, musicians and celebrities have public Snapchat accounts. Fans will send them friend requests in order to follow their story and get a behind-the-scenes look at their daily life.
4. To Grow a Business or Brand’s Reach
Companies use Snapchat and may send friend requests to followers to grow their brand’s audience and increase engagement. Accepting requests from brands allows you to view their stories and snaps.
5. For Romantic Interests or Flirting
Some Snapchat users send friend requests to people they are interested in romantically as a way to connect with them flirtatiously. Snapchat can feel more intimate than other social networks.
6. For Network Marketing or Spam
In some cases, you may receive a random Snapchat request from someone you don’t know who found your username online. This could be multi-level marketing reps or spammers trying to grow their network. Use caution when accepting these types of requests.
Managing Your Snapchat Friends List
Your Snapchat friends list reflects who you interact with on the app. Here are some tips for managing it:
Keep it Selective
Don’t feel obligated to accept every friend request. Only add people you know and want to chat with. Keep your friends list refined.
Remove Inactive Friends
It’s okay to remove friends that you no longer snap with or have lost touch with. A curated friends list leads to better engagement.
Organize Friends into Groups
Use Snapchat’s Custom Friend Emojis feature to sort friends into different groups. This makes it easier to manage larger friends lists.
Block or Report Spam
Don’t hesitate to block or report suspicious accounts sending you requests. This keeps your account secure.
Talk to Friends Outside Snapchat
If someone you know sends you a friend request and you don’t want to accept, politely decline and let them know outside of the app why you don’t want to connect.
Conclusion
Accepting a Snapchat friend request allows that person’s account to connect with yours on the app. You can send snaps back and forth, view public stories, and interact once the request has been accepted. People send Snapchat friend requests to genuinely connect with friends, expand their social network, follow brands/celebrities, or in some cases for marketing and spam. Manage your friends list by only adding people you want to chat with and removing inactive friends over time.
| Friend Request Action | What it Allows |
|---|---|
| Accepting the Request |
|
| Declining the Request |
|
| Ignoring the Request |
|
| Reason for Friend Request | Details |
|---|---|
| Connect with friends | Add real friends to snap back and forth |
| Connect with new people | Meet friends of friends or online connections |
| Follow celebrities/influencers | View their behind-the-scenes public story |
| Grow a brand’s audience | Engage with fans and followers |
| Romantic interests | Flirt and connect more intimately |
| Network marketing or spam | Gain followers and reach through Snapchat |