Snapchat is one of the most evolving social media apps in the modern era. Ever since its launch in 2011, it has continued to introduce features that keep its users hooked. In truth, the ‘Stories’ feature that Instagram is famous for was actually launched by Snapchat first. But this app is popular for its funny filters and an easy-to-understand interface. It makes connecting with friends much easier, and one of the features meant to increase the bond of friendship is Snapchat Planets. But what is this feature about? And is it encouraging friendships or breaking them apart? What are the other features that Snapchat introduced in recent years? This article will explain:
A. What is Snapchat?
Snapchat is a social media app that was launched in July 2011 as Picaboo on IOS. The creators are three Stanford University students, Reggie Brown, Bobby Murphy, and Evan Spiegel. In September of the same year, they changed the app’s name to Snapchat due to some legal issues. The initial concept was that photos uploaded would disappear after being viewed. The user can also set a timer for how long the photo can exist on the platform. And soon, videos and stories originated with the same disappearing concept.
B. Fame and Fortune:
Snapchat was a massive success, as the social media culture and public platforms gained prominence. And slowly, other features like chats were added to the app. Around 20 million snaps were uploaded daily, and a year after its launch, it was also introduced on Android phones. The concept of vanishing photos gave the users privacy, something that wasn’t available in competing apps like Facebook and Instagram. The app also introduced Snapstreaks based on the user’s time on the app, which was entertaining. It was a hit among teenagers, and it had the parents curious about the app, which also acted as coverage for Snapchat. In 2016, its parent company changed into Snap Inc., and a year later, the company went public with a value of $24 billion. And in the same year, they even launched their first hardware product, the Snapchat Spectacles.
C. Snapchat+:
In 2022, the premium version of the app, Snapchat+, was launched, with special features. It offered an early peek at new tools and other options in the platform. This subscription-based service gave Snapchat another mode for revenue, and to the users, it gave access to the experimental concepts in Snapchat. And one of the exclusive features it consisted of was the Snapchat Planets.
D. Features of Snapchat+:
Snapchat+ has some interesting features and is liked by many users. And the premium is also affordable:
a. Story Rewatch Indicator:
This feature allows the user to know how many times their stories were watched by their friends. Apps like Instagram and WhatsApp only show who viewed the story, but not how many times. And this feature shows how many times the story was watched, but not by whom.
b. Ghost Trails:
This feature allowed users to see the activity of their friends on the platform, only before 24 hours. And it is only possible if the friend shares his or her location with the users. It is a fun way to see what friends did on the Snap Map.
c. #1 BFF Badge:
This feature is where the user can title one of their friends as the #1 BFF, and it is only visible to the user.
d. Customisation:
Snapchat+ also gives users the scope to decorate the inside of the app, like the icons and ‘bitmojis’. The latter even has many options like glitter, space, and flames. This gives a different feel to the user’s profiles and other controls in the app.
E. Snapchat Planets:
One of the premium features of Snapchat+ is Snapcat Planets, which was introduced in 2023. It is where users’ first eight friends are shown as a planet in the solar system, based on the interactions on the app. And the user is the sun, at the centre. The friend with whom the user interacted the most will be shown as Mercury, and so on. This visual element was quite fun to see and was only visible to the user. But soon, it became a problem.
F. Key Features:
a. Visualisation:
Snapchat Planets gives a brief view to the user on who they interacted with the most and the least. It will let them know who they need to catch up with on the platform.
b. Interaction:
The ranking in the solar system is based on the number of video calls, snaps sent, and chats with friends. And each planet has its own icon.
c. Dynamic:
The app updates the solar system and rankings based on the interactions. A friend who was Jupiter could be Venus.
G. Users’ opinions:
Some liked Snapchat Planets, but some did not. Though it is a fun visual representation of the closest friends, people did not like how friends were given ranks based on interaction. Friendships cannot be data on charts and presentations, but a feeling of closeness. Planets can show who the user is interacting with more, and it can show jealousy and hatred among friends. Some many even interact excessively in order to increase their position in the solar system. Friendship is a feeling, and it cannot be ‘ranked’ or forced. Hence, though the feature was fun at first, people slowly saw flaws in it.
H. Is it worth it?
At the end, Snapchat+ has many interesting features and opens doors for users in terms of personalising their profiles and chats. Snapchat Planets is fun, but only until it doesn’t creates problems and rifts between friendships. If one feels anxious about why they aren’t your Mercury, it can create unnecessary conflicts between friends. And though it increases engagement on Snapchat, it might also make teenagers, who are in a sensitive stage, more insecure. Sure, it can be a fun feature until it isn’t. It all matters from the perspective.
To conclude, Snapchat has been introducing many features over the years, and it has increased its likability among its users. And hence, it should introduce more features that bring people together instead of creating chances of a rift. And as of now, it still is part of the premium version and has to be enabled manually. But the app is releasing updates to increase its accuracy.
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