INTRODUCTION
Since launching in 2011, Snapchat has experienced exponential growth. Company leaders now claim the app reaches 75% of people ages 13-34 in more than 20 countries.
The company continues to develop new features in hopes of both retaining current users and attracting new ones.
These are some of the changes to Snapchat in 2022.
PAID VERSION
Users can now pay $3.99 a month to access Snapchat+ features. The app will continue to run ads as an additional revenue source.
Snapchat+ gives users the ability to use a web version of the app, see who rewatched a story, change the cosmetic appearance of the mobile app, pin another user as your No. 1 friend and see where friends have recently moved.
The paid tier can be used by businesses to access features before others and to use the web version of Snapchat, which may be easier to use in an office atmosphere.
The web version, available at web.snapchat.com, supports chats, voice calls and video calls to friends. Snapchat also plans to incorporate some of the fun mobile app lenses into the web version.
AR CREATION SUITE
Snapchat’s platform, 3D Asset Manager, is an augmented reality (AR) creation suite that allows businesses to work with designers and make products for Snapchat users to try on virtually. Snapchat’s AR shopping experience also can be integrated into a business’s own app through the Camera Kit for AR Shopping. While setting up a business account is free, it is unclear what costs may be associated with this feature.
Snapchat users can use the Dress Up Lens to virtually try on products such as glasses and clothing with their phone camera. Their camera displays the product on them, and the product information is presented at the bottom of the screen. Some users have more advanced access that allows them to favorite products, add the products to their cart and purchase items from the app.
Snapchat reported that it is working on offering similar virtual shopping tools for other items, like furniture, that can be virtually projected into a space through the Snapchat camera.
INFATUATION
Snapchat is encroaching on food review platforms with a new feature, Infatuation. The Infatuation feature is layered on Snap Maps and shows users reviews for restaurants and stores in the area.
Snap Maps is a feature that allows users to see their friends’ locations on a map of the area around them. It also shows hot spots where stories are being posted, and it includes landmarks like stores and streets.
Infatuation is available in select cities such as New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Denver. It can be seen in more than 50 cities internationally.
To access the Infatuation reviews, users must select the Infatuation icon in the corner of Snap Map. They can then read and leave reviews for restaurants they visit through Tripadvisor. Popular times, reviews, contact information and a directions button are also available through this layer. Businesses can use Tripadvisor to respond to ratings and post photos to their shop.