Snapchat recently rolled out a new update to its popular Snap Map feature. The Snap Map allows Snapchat users to see where their friends are on a map in real-time. It also includes helpful information like popular Snap spots around you. The new update introduces some key changes to improve the Snap Map experience.
Showing Friends’ Locations Opt-In Only
One of the biggest changes with the new Snap Map update is that showing your location on the map is now opt-in only. Previously, Snap Map automatically showed your location to friends by default when the feature first launched. Many users were concerned about privacy issues with this default setting.
Now, your location will not appear on any friends’ Snap Maps unless you intentionally choose to share it. There are three options for sharing (or not sharing) your location:
- Ghost Mode – Your location is never shown on the Snap Map
- My Friends – Your location is only visible to friends you’ve added on Snapchat
- Select Friends – You can customize exactly which friends can view your location
These customizable options give users much more control over who can see their location at any given time. You can change these settings at any time based on your preferences.
New Context Cards
The updated Snap Map also has new Context Cards that appear when you tap on Snap spots. Context Cards provide useful information about popular locations, local businesses, restaurants, and more.
For example, tapping on a concert venue may show a Context Card with the event lineup, ticket links, and reviews. Tapping on a restaurant could display its hours, menu, and contact info. Context Cards aim to give Snapchat users helpful details about places right within the Snap Map.
Improved Visual Design
Along with the new features, the latest version of Snap Map has an upgraded visual design. Icons are cleaner, cartography is sharper, and the overall style aligns with Snapchat’s latest branding.
Snap Map’s color scheme is now dominated by yellow accents, evoking Snapchat’s iconic yellow ghost logo. The map itself features more defined elements like roads, buildings, parks, etc. Making the map visualization more clear at all zoom levels.
New Memories Feature
The Snap Map update also introduces a new Memories feature. This lets you look back at Snaps you’ve taken in various locations over time. You can scroll back through your old Snap Map activity by location and date. It’s perfect for reminiscing about trips, events, and other memories tied to places.
Tapping into the nostalgia aspect of maps is a clever addition for Snapchat. It provides a new way to resurface old Snaps that you may have forgotten about otherwise.
Real-Time Events
For major events like concerts, sports games, and festivals, the updated Snap Map will showcase curated Stories from the event in real-time. So even if you can’t be there in person, you can tap in and experience it live through the event’s Snap Story compilation.
This feature helps capture the buzz and energy at big happenings. It turns the Snap Map into a portal for seeing what’s happening at hotspots in real life right now.
Local Lenses
Special location-specific Lenses will also begin rolling out in the new Snap Map. These Local Lenses will appear when you’re at certain landmarks, events, or businesses. The Lenses will be themed around custom artwork and effects tied to those locations.
For example, at a concert venue, there may be a music-themed Lens to capture the essence of the show. At a sports arena, fans may get access to team logo Lenses. This adds some fun personalization and creativity to the Snapchat experience when you’re out and about.
Ads in Snap Map
With the latest update, Snapchat is beginning to integrate ads into the Snap Map as well. Expect to start seeing sponsored content from businesses mixed in with regular Snaps and Context Cards.
For example, a restaurant may promote their daily lunch specials or a store could advertise a weekend sale. The ads will be clearly labeled as such, and can provide nearby deals and offers tailored to your location.
Ads were inevitable as Snap looks to monetize Snap Map’s capabilities and audience reach. As long as the ads don’t become too intrusive, they could actually serve as helpful suggestions of places to go near you.
Integration with Dynamic Ads
Snapchat is connecting its new Dynamic Ads product with the updated Snap Map. This means businesses can target customers with specific offers based on their real-time location shown on the map.
For example, if you’re near a retailer that sells the shoes you were browsing on their website yesterday, they can deliver a personalized promo offer encouraging you to stop by the store. This tight integration blends online browsing behaviors with in-person location signals.
Partnerships with Top Brands
Big brand partners like Ticketmaster, The Infatuation, and Michelin have created tailored experiences within the new Snap Map aimed at engaging their target demographic.
Ticketmaster is powering a new way to find upcoming concerts nearby. The Infatuation is bringing its restaurant discovery and reviews content to restaurant Context Cards. Michelin provides ratings badges for Michelin-approved restaurants.
These partnerships demonstrate Snap Map’s potential as an enhanced local discovery and e-commerce platform. More brand collaborations are likely on the horizon as Snap continues rolling out Snap Map updates.
How to Use the New Snap Map
Using the updated Snap Map is easy! Just follow these steps:
- Open Snapchat and pinch to zoom out on the Camera screen. This will open the Map view.
- Tap the Settings (gear) icon in the top-right and select who you want to share your location with.
- Scroll and zoom around the Map to see your friends, Snap spots, Context Cards, and more.
- Tap and hold on a location to drop a custom Map Pin there.
- Tap on Snap spots or Context Cards to view Snaps and details from places.
- Tap on the Memories icon in the bottom-right to look back at old Map activity.
Take some time to poke around the new Snap Map to discover locations, local hotspots, events, and more in a whole new interactive way!
Parents’ Guide to Snap Map Safety
With the latest Snap Map update, parents may be wondering how they can help keep kids safe while using the feature. Here are some tips:
- Have an open conversation about sharing locations online and when it’s appropriate.
- Use Ghost Mode or Custom settings to limit who can view their location.
- Remind them to be selective about posting public Stories with identifiable locations.
- Check their Friends list and make sure they only add people they know in real life.
- Consider setting up Family Center controls to manage their Snapchat experience.
- Encourage kids to always share their location with parents when going out.
- Tell them to be aware of their surroundings when viewing the Map while out.
While Snap Map can be fun and convenient, it does require some forethought to use safely. Having ongoing discussions with kids about location-sharing is key.
Pros and Cons of the New Snap Map
Like any new platform update, the latest Snap Map has both beneficial features and some downsides to consider:
Pros
- Greater user control over location sharing
- Helpful local business information
- Engaging real-time events content
- Fun way to view memories by location
- Opportunities for local business marketing
- Enhanced map visualization and design
Cons
- Potential for increased targeted ads
- Possible kid safety concerns without right settings
- Can be distracting to view while out and about
- Promotes constant passive consumption of content
Overall, the option to opt-in to location sharing is a big privacy plus. But the social nature of Snapchat means users should still be thoughtful about what they broadcast on Snap Map to friends and strangers.
Snap Map vs. Find My Friends Comparison
Snap Map is often compared to Find My Friends, Apple’s friend locator app. Here is how the two platforms stack up:
| Feature | Snap Map | Find My Friends |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time location | Yes | Yes |
| Control sharing | Granular opt-in settings | All or nothing sharing |
| Map pins | Custom pins | Preset location tags only |
| Memories | Snap history by location | No memories feature |
| Content | Snaps from friends and events | Just map locations |
In summary, Snap Map focuses more on content sharing and discovery fueled by location, while Find My Friends is strictly for utility-based friend tracking.
Expert Opinions on Snap Map Changes
Industry analysts have weighed in on Snapchat’s new Snap Map update:
Improved Privacy Controls
“Giving users more granular control over location sharing is a smart move by Snap. It puts privacy back in users’ hands after the controversial launch of Snap Map.”
– Sarah Taylor, Social Media Analyst at Forrester
Local Business Potential
“Snap Map’s new local business profiles and ads could provide a nice revenue stream for Snapchat. It essentially builds a Yellow Pages into the app powered by maps and real-time data.”
– Jack Kent, Senior Editor at eMarketer
Kid Safety Concerns
“Even with improved settings, the Snap Map update requires careful parental oversight for younger teens. Location sharing with friends can become normalized very quickly without guidance.”
– Dr. Monica Anderson, Child Psychology Professor
Public Response
Early reactions from Snapchat users on the Snap Map update have been mixed:
Positive Feedback
- “Being able to pick who sees me on the map makes me feel way better about using it.”
- “The new visual design is much cleaner and more user-friendly.”
- “I love checking out Snap Map when I’m at a concert or big event to see what’s happening.”
Negative Feedback
- “Do we really need more ads shoved in our faces?”
- “It’s still distracting and dangerous to view the map so much when you’re out and about.”
- “I wish Snapchat focused more on improving functionality vs flashy new features.”
As with most platform changes, wider adoption depends on how intuitive and beneficial users find the update over time.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s new Snap Map update introduces helpful improvements like user control over location sharing and local business discovery features. But it also opens the doors for more ads and kid safety concerns if not used carefully.
Ultimately, Snap Map aims to leverage maps, friends’ locations, and real-time content to create an engaging new way to explore your surroundings. But users should considerprivacy risks, distraction potential, and social implications before opting in.
As Snapchat continues refining Snap Map, focus areas for future improvement could include more personalization options, tools for managing screen time, and wider accessibility features. Integrating moderation tools would also help maintain a safe, inclusive mapping environment.
With maps becoming core to so many mobile experiences, platforms like Snapchat now face an opportunity to innovate—as well as the responsibility to empower users to navigate this technology thoughtfully.