What is Snapchat? Key Features and Why You Should Use

If you are Gen-Z you may be familiar with Snapchat because it is favorite among teens to send streaks (Snaps) with friends. Since its launched in 2011, it upgraded features like message dissappearing, lenzes, filters and privacy have attract the users to have fun on platform.

It allows users to share moments, activities, personal photos, and messages with friends that disappear after a while.

However, it is different from other social media platforms, like making fun with filters and connecting with friends through streaks and safety. So, what is Snapchat? Here is a guide for you.

Let’s get started.

Snapchat is an American multimedia messaging app mainly used by screen-obsessed teens and young adults fascinated due to advance features.

The days when this app was only used for sharing pictures between your friends are over. Snapchat has exponentially grown since its release in 2011. With the introduction of new features, this platform has become a must-have for increasing your business. 

Today, Snapchat boasts 452 million Daily Active Users (DAUs) worldwide, with over 5 billion Snaps created every day. Its primary user base consists of Gen Z and Millennials, with approximately 75% of the 13-34 age demographic in the US using the app regularly.

Now, users can create a Snapchat public profiles to share stories and spotlights that do not disappear after a while until you delete them.

1. Message Disappearing

Snapchat is known for its privacy and disappearing features of messages, whether text, photos, or videos. However, you can set the limit for your snaps or pics on whether they disappear after one view or 24 hours.

One thing to keep in mind: anyone can take a screenshot, but the Snapchat app will notify you if someone takes a screenshot.

2. Snapstreaks

Spanstreak is a major feature of Snapchat that connects two users to send at least one snap in 24 hours. There is no limit to how many days of streaks you can make with friends. It is a fun activity and lets you share your moments with loved ones.

Snapstreaks increase snapscore, and Snapchat shows special emojis and hearts called Snapchat planets in front of friends. These hearts and planets are assigned based on your activity and chats with your friends; for example, Snapchat’s yellow heart is a sign of happiness and loyalty to a friend.

3. Snap Map

Snapchat map is another great feature for finding your friends’ locations if they haven’t turned on ghost mode.

You can turn on ghost mode on Snapchat to hide your location; otherwise, your friends can see your location. The map also shows signs of any event or news anywhere in the world.

4. Snapchat Stories

Same as Facebook or Instagram stories, Snapchat Stories allow users to post photos and videos that remain visible to their friends for 24 hours. Users can create:

• Group stories where multiple friends can contribute content
• Personal stories are visible to all friends or a custom audience
• Private stories for selected friends only

5. Snapchat AI

Snapchat AI is a new feature on Snapchat. It uses NLP to converse like with human with humans. The developers have added this feature to offer a seamless user experience. You can ask anything as you question, and it provides robust answers based on web data.

If don’t want AI pinned on your Snapchat, you can get rid of AI but you need a Snapchat plus subscription.

6. Lenses and Filters

Snapchat pioneered augmented reality (AR) filters that can transform your appearance or add entertaining elements to your photos and videos. These include:

• Face lenses that alter your facial features or add digital accessories
• World lenses that modify your surroundings
• Geofilters specific to locations or events
• Custom filters created by users for special occasions

7. Discover

The Discover section features content from publishers, creators, and brands in a magazine-like format. This content includes news, entertainment, and lifestyle pieces tailored to users’ interests.

8. Memories

This feature allows users to save Snaps and Stories in a personal archive for future viewing or resharing. Memories can be organized into collections and edited with Snapchat’s tools.

9. Spotlight

Snapchat’s answer to TikTok, Spotlight, showcases user-created short-form videos. Popular content can earn creators financial rewards through Snap’s creator fund.

10. Snap Score

Your Snap Score increases based on your activity on the platform, including sent and received Snaps, Stories posted, and other engagements. While primarily a gamification element, some users take pride in achieving high scores.

Here are the things that strongly argue for the importance of using Snapchat for personal or business purposes.

For Personal Use

• Authentic Communication: The temporary nature of content encourages more genuine, unfiltered sharing compared to platforms where posts remain permanently.
• Visual Expression: Extensive filters, lenses, and creative tools allow for playful, creative communication.
• Privacy Focus: Content that disappears by default offers greater privacy than permanent social media posts.
• Close Connections: Features like Snapstreaks encourage consistent communication with close friends.
• Stay Updated: Discover and Stories features keep users informed about friends’ activities and current events.

For Businesses and Marketers

With Gen Z and Millennials controlling an estimated $1 trillion in direct spending power, Snapchat presents a valuable marketing opportunity for brands targeting these demographics. Here’s how businesses can utilize the platform:

1. Share Engaging Stories

Maintain an active presence by posting consistent, concise Stories about your products or services. The ideal frequency is approximately four times daily, spaced about five hours apart, to maximize visibility without overwhelming followers.

2. Promote User-Generated Content

Encourage followers to share photos and videos of themselves using your products, then repost this content to your Story. Consider creating challenges or contests with prizes to motivate participation.

3. Partner with Influencers

Collaborate with celebrities or influencers who align with your brand values. Allowing them to take over your account for a day can expose your brand to their established audience. These partnerships typically involve compensation through direct payment or commission arrangements.

4. Cross-Promote Across Platforms

Link your Snapchat account to your other social media profiles by adding your Snapchat link to your bio sections. This simple integration can significantly increase your follower count across platforms.

5. Offer Exclusive Promotions

Create Snapchat-exclusive discount codes or promotions to drive sales and reward followers. Limited-time offers align perfectly with Snapchat’s ephemeral nature.

Privacy and Safety Considerations

While Snapchat offers unique communication features, users should be aware of several privacy and safety aspects:

• Disappearing doesn’t mean deleted: Although content disappears from the app, recipients can still take screenshots or record screens.
• Location privacy: Always be mindful of your location sharing settings in Snap Map.
• Friend requests: Consider limiting who can contact you through privacy settings.
• Content guidelines: Snapchat prohibits bullying, harassment, explicit content, and illegal activities.

Parental controls: Parents can use Family Center to monitor their teen’s contacts while respecting privacy.

• Download the app: Available on iOS and Android devices.

• Create an account: Sign up with an email address and select a unique username.
• Add friends: Connect through phone contacts, usernames, Snapcodes, or nearby users.
• Customize settings: Adjust privacy preferences and notification settings.
• Explore features: Familiarize yourself with the camera, chat, Stories, and Discover sections.

Consider Snapchat+: For power users, this subscription offers additional features like custom app icons, story rewatch indicators, and more.

Snapchat has become an unavoidable part of the marketing field. It is an app that is undervalued or underestimated by many as they don’t know its potential. Only a few have realized that this is not just an app, but it is an untapped elixir of growth.

If your business does not have a Snapchat account, this is high time to create one. Even if you’re new to Snapchat or trying to up your Snapchat game, we are sure that the strategies shown above are the most realistic, practical ones you can use.