What Is Snapchat? Key Features, How It Works and What It’s Used For

Snapchat is a multimedia messaging app that is used to share videos or images that called snaps to friends and family. I can chat by using the privacy feature, see friends on Snap Map, and get creative with Lenses, Filters, and Bitmoji avatars🧍.

Snapchat AI (My AI) and Snapchat Plus also enhance creativity and offer exclusive tools, while privacy controls like Ghost Mode and disappearing messages keep my interactions secure.

Snapchat known for real-time, authentic sharing, interactive games, content discovery through Spotlight, and even creative AI features.

In this guide, you’ll explore Snapchat’s features, uses, privacy tools, and how to get started, giving you all the essential information you need.

Snapchat works as a camera-first messaging app that focuses on real-time sharing. Snapchat app lets users communicate through photos, videos, and short messages that are temporary by default.

The app organizes communication into Snaps and Chats, rather than public timelines.

How Snaps and Chats behave on Snapchat:

• Snaps focus on photos and videos
• Chats support text, media, and voice
• Messages are private by default
• Content disappears automatically
• Users control visibility settings

Today, Snapchat boasts 943 million Monthly Active Users (MAUs) worldwide, with over 4.75 billion Snaps created every day. Its primary user base consists of Gen Z and Millennials, with approximately 82% of US teenagers use Snapchat once a month.

What Do Disappearing Messages Mean on Snapchat?

Snapchat disappearing messages are messages that automatically delete after viewing or after a set time. Snapchat uses this system to encourage casual, pressure-free communication.

Snapchat message duration options:

• Delete after viewing
• Delete after 24 hours
• Keep messages manually in chat

Disappearing messages are the default behavior on Snapchat, not an optional feature.

Can Snapchat Messages Be Saved or Screenshotted?

yes, Snapchat messages can be saved when users tap to keep them in chat. Saved messages remain visible until removed by either person.

Snapchat allows screenshots, but the app notifies users when a screenshot or screen recording happens.

What Snapchat notifies users about:

• Screenshots of Snaps
• Screenshots of chats
• Screen recordings

Important to know:

• Saved messages stay in chat
• Screenshots cannot be blocked
• Disappearing does not mean unrecoverable

Information About Snapchat Slang Use by Gen Z

• Streaks (Snapstreaks): Daily Snap exchanges with a friend to keep a streak alive.
• SB (Snap Back): A request asking someone to send a Snap back.
• SFS (Shoutout for Shoutout): A way to promote each other’s accounts for more followers.
• PMOYS (Put Me On Your Story): Asking someone to feature you in their Story.
• WYLL (What You Look Like): A way of asking for a selfie or Snap.
• LMR (Like My Recent): Asking friends to like or view a recent Snap or Story.
• OTP (One True Pairing): Shared when showing a couple or favorite pair on Snapchat.
• HMU (Hit Me Up): A casual invite to chat or Snap.

Snapchat uses different chat colors to represent the status of your messages. These colors helps you know whether your Snap or chat has been delivered, opened, or pending.

Here’s what each color means describe in the table below:

Snapchat features focus on temporary communication, visual sharing, and AI-powered creativity. Snapchat uses a camera-first system where photos, videos, and interactions disappear by default.

Snapchat Stories and Temporary Sharing

Snapchat Stories allow users to share photos and videos that remain visible for 24 hours. Snapchat Stories appear in a vertical sequence and update in real time.

Snapchat temporary sharing reduces long-term content visibility and promotes casual posting.

Snapchat Stories features:

• 24-hour auto-expiration
• Public or friends-only visibility
• View counts and replies
• Story pinning for profiles
• Automatic removal after expiry

Snapchat Spotlight and Content Discovery

Snapchat Spotlight is a public short-video feed. Snapchat Spotlight uses viewing behavior to surface trending and personalized videos.

Snapchat Spotlight supports creator discovery and content reach beyond friend networks.

Snapchat Spotlight attributes:

• Vertical video format
• Algorithm-driven discovery
• Music and effects integration
• Creator analytics access
• Monetization eligibility

Snap Map and Location-Based Features

Snap Map shows friend locations and local activity. Snapchat Snap Map updates location status based on user settings.

Snapchat Snap Map prioritizes location privacy through visibility controls.

How Map of snapchat functions:

• Live or last-seen location sharing
• Ghost Mode for hidden presence
• Friend arrival notifications
• Local events and hotspots
• Travel and public stories

Lenses, Filters, and AR Experiences on Snapchat

Snapchat Lenses apply real-time augmented reality effects to faces and environments. Snapchat Lenses respond to facial movement and gestures.

Snapchat Filters add overlays based on time, location, or activity.

Snapchat AR tools include:

• Face-tracking lenses
• AI-generated animations
• Sponsored brand lenses
• Interactive 3D objects
• Video transformation effects

Bitmoji, Snapstreaks, and AI-Powered Creative Tools

Snapchat Bitmoji represents users with a customizable avatar. Snapchat Bitmoji appears in chats, Snap Map, stickers, and stories.

Snapstreaks track daily Snap exchanges between two users. Snapchat Snapstreaks increase when both users send at least one Snap every 24 hours.

Snapscore measures overall Snapchat activity. Snapchat Snapscore increases through sending and receiving Snaps, not chats.

Snapchat Planets show friendship ranking for Snapchat Plus users. Snapchat Planets display closest friends as planets orbiting a profile.

Snapchat Yellow Heart 💛 indicates a top mutual best friend. Snapchat assigns the Yellow Heart when two users send the most Snaps to each other.

Snapchat Games and Minis for Social Interaction

Snapchat Games and Minis are interactive in-app experiences designed to play solo or with friends.

Snapchat Games properties and attributes:

• Integration: Playable directly within chats or group stories
• Multiplayer support: Connects friends for turn-based or real-time games
• Leaderboards: Tracks scores between friends
• Mini Apps: Small utility apps for polls, shared activities, or competitions
• Snap Sharing: Snap results and achievements can be sent to friends
• AR Elements: Some games use augmented reality for interactive gameplay

Snapchat Dark Mode is a feature that changes the app’s interface from light to dark, improving readability, reducing eye strain, and saving battery on OLED screens. Snapchat allows users to enable Dark Mode manually or sync it with system-wide settings.

Notes: Some Android devices may require system-wide dark theme enabled if App Appearance is not visible.

My AI on Snapchat is an AI-powered chatbot built into the chat screen. Snapchat My AI responds to questions, gives suggestions, and helps with everyday tasks inside the app.

Snapchat places My AI at the top of the chat list by default.

My AI core properties:

• Chat-based assistant interface
• Text and image understanding
• Personalized suggestions
• In-app availability only
• Optional for paid users to customize

Uses of Snapchat AI for Creativity and Assistance

Snapchat AI Algorithm tools support creative editing and user assistance. Snapchat applies AI across the camera, Bitmoji, lenses, and snap chat features.

Snapchat AI improves speed and personalization during content creation.

Snapchat AI use cases include:

• Generating AR lens effects
• Enhancing photos and videos
• Creating Bitmoji poses and scenes
• Suggesting captions and replies
• Assisting with searches and questions

Can Users Control or Remove Snapchat AI?

Yes, Snapchat AI controls allow users to manage visibility and interaction. Snapchat lets users clear chats, limit interactions, or hide My AI.

Snapchat Plus subscribers receive expanded customization options.

Snapchat AI control options:

• Clear My AI chat history
• Mute or restrict conversations
• Unpin My AI from chat feed
• Adjust privacy preferences
• Remove My AI with Snapchat Plus

Snapchat Plus adds paid tools to the standard Snapchat app. This feature focuses on customization, visibility insights, and early feature access.

Snapchat keeps core messaging free while offering premium controls for advanced users. The premimum version of snapchat targets power users and creators who want more control and insights.

Snapchat Plus properties:

• Monthly or yearly subscription
• Optional upgrade
• No ads in selected areas
• Early access to new tools
• Expanded customization options

Additional Features Included With Snapchat Plus

Snapchat Plus features enhance personalization and analytics. Snapchat Plus expands control over chats, profiles, and AI tools.

Snapchat Plus includes:

• Custom app icons
• Profile badge visibility
• Story rewatch indicators
• Pin best friends or conversations
• Snapchat Planets friend ranking
• Full My AI removal
• Extended Bitmoji and AI tools

The purpose of Snapchat is to send private messaging, creative sharing, trend discovery, and brand engagement. Snapchat combines temporary content, AR effects, and interactive tools to enable personal communication, entertainment, and public reach.

Private Communication With Friends

Snapchat private communication allows users to send text, photo, and video messages that disappear after viewing. Snapchat messaging supports ephemeral sharing, chat reactions, and Snapstreak tracking.

Private communication with snap chat features:

• One-to-one or group chats
• Disappearing messages with screenshot alerts
• Snapstreaks to maintain daily interaction
• Friendship emojis and Yellow Heart tracking
• Pinning conversations for easy access

Snapchat private messaging strengthens friend connections while maintaining privacy and short-lived content.

Creative Expression and Entertainment

Snapchat creative tools enable users to express visually through photos, videos, AR lenses, filters, Bitmoji, and games. Snapchat integrates AI and AR to enhance content originality.

Creative expression tools include:

• Lenses and face-tracking AR effects
• Filters and geofilters for location-based personalization
• Bitmoji stickers and animated avatars
• AI-powered captions and Snap suggestions
• Snapchat Games and Minis for interactive entertainment

Snapchat creativity encourages playful, expressive sharing and social interaction.

What Does Snapchat Do For Discovering Trends and Public Content

Snapchat public content features allow users to explore news, entertainment, and trending videos. Snapchat Spotlight, Discover, and Snap Map provide curated and algorithm-driven content feeds.

Discovery features include:

• Spotlight short videos with trending and personalized content
• Discover news, lifestyle, and entertainment channels
• Snap Map showing local stories and global trends
• Public profiles and shared stories for influencer or creator content

Snapchat discovery supports trend awareness, content inspiration, and social learning.

Brand Presence and Community Engagement

Snapchat brand tools enable businesses to reach audiences with interactive, visual campaigns. Snapchat advertising, AR lenses, geofilters, and Stories create measurable engagement.

Brand engagement options:

• Sponsored lenses and filters
• Spotlight and Discover ads
• Community challenges and contests
• Location-based targeting via Snap Map
• Analytics for content performance and audience insights

Snapchat brand presence improves audience reach, marketing creativity, and community interaction.

SnapchatStory Viewer shows who viewed your Stories and manages visibility. Some users explore friends’, public, or Spotlight Stories anonymously. Viewer activity is tracked, though privacy settings and third-party tools can affect anonymous access.

Key attributes for Story viewing:

• Viewer tracking per Story
• 24-hour content lifespan
• Custom audience selection
• Spotlight and public Story access
• Anonymous viewing considerations

Story Privacy and Who Can See It

Snapchat Story privacy allows control over who can view Stories. Users can prevent specific friends from seeing a Story or restrict visibility to certain groups.

Privacy options affecting anonymous viewing:

• Friends Only: default visibility for added friends
• Custom: select friends for Story access
• Public: viewable by all Snapchat key users
• Block specific users to hide Story activity
• Ghost Mode: location-based Story restrictions

Story Views and Interaction

Snapchat tracks Story views to show who opened the Story and how many times. Anonymous viewers appear if they do not interact or use workarounds.

Story interaction insights:

• Viewer list shows usernames for standard viewing
• View count per Story
• Snap reactions (emojis, replies) reveal engagement
• Screenshot alerts notify Story owners
• Anonymous viewing requires avoiding interaction

• 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.

I’ve seen Snapchat grow from a simple “disappearing photo app” into a full platform by giving the edge of privacy that blends AR, AI, gaming, entertainment, and marketing. Many people undervalue its potential, but I believe it offers unique ways to connect, create, and grow.

If you want to experience playful, immersive, and real-time communication, I recommend giving Snapchat a try. If your business doesn’t have a Snapchat account yet, now is the perfect time to start.

Even if you’re new or trying to improve your Snapchat game, I’m confident the strategies above are practical and easy to use.