Gen Z and Snapchat, are just like peanut butter and jelly, a match made in digital heaven. But why is it just an app? Snapchat does not have enough fancy resources like Facebook. But this app is quite popular among the new generation. It’s a dose of dopamine for those who use it regularly. The addiction is real. Is it the funky filters, the Disappearing Act, or the Snap stories that drove people crazy?
Snapchat brings the vibe of a private club and it’s never about broadcasting to the world; it’s about sharing with your inner circle and hosting a mini-party in your digital living room. So in this article, we will be going to discuss why Gen Z is hooked on Snapchat, the most popular trends, and why it’s the comfort spot.
Snapchat And It’s Fascinating Journey
Early Days
Stanford University has a reputation for standing out in the tech world as it has contributed to a lot of popular apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. It’s not surprising that Snapchat, which is the popular multimedia app, was launched in September 2011 by Bobby Murphy, Reggie Brown, and Evans Eagle while they were students at Stanford University. They wanted to create an app that was not only about text messages but fun activities as well.
When Snapchat was introduced, the founders had to face a lot of challenges because there was tough competition in the market from popular social media platforms such as Facebook, and Twitter. It was extremely difficult for Snapchat to survive in such a saturated market. Many investors rejected Snapchat at the start but it eventually managed to grab seed funding of $485,000 from light-speed ventures.
Snapchat wasn’t the initial moniker on the table. At the start, the founder tried the app “Peekaboo” and the idea behind it was simple yet interesting: that users could share videos and photos that disappeared after a few seconds. Isn’t it cool? This unique approach was done to enhance privacy but at the same time give it a fun element.
Before Snapchat came into the picture, the founders, Spiegel and Murphy tried another app called Future Freshman, which again didn’t gain much popularity but when Brown arrived they decided to give it a try again. It was during this reboot that the concept of disappearing messages took birth, this unique and groundbreaking feature was the starting of something great called “ Snapchat”. Finally, Snapchat came into being.
Snapchat Gains Popularity
In 2021, Snapchat had a whopping 428 million monthly active users worldwide and it’s predicted to reach 500 million users by 2024. But initially, people did not give it the social acceptance it deserved because of its unique features that were bothering many tech giants.
The same feature of disappearing messages was a prominent factor in its early success. No one could love this feature more than the younger generation, especially the teenagers who value control and privacy in their online presence. The ease of communication that Snapchat offers is incomparable to any other social media platform. Initially, Snapchat also introduced features like filters with creative and funny effects.
Another feature that came along with it was the advent of Snapchat stories in October 2013 and they became popular right after they were launched. In this feature, people share a series of stories and photos that are only available for up to 24 hours and then they disappear. This feature was a ground-breaking one as it was not just limited to individual messages but people were able to share daily narratives with their loved ones or even strangers without any hesitation.
Interesting Trends And Key Insights On Snapchat
- Snapchat Daily Active Users
When talking about Snapchat’s daily active users there are 406 million daily active users as of 2023. Probably an increase of 43 million year over year so it’s making huge waves in the industry. This big number shows that Snapchat keeps on growing and is a major presence in social media and people from all over the world use it. The monthly engagement is proof that it’s liked by young people more.
- How Far Does Snapchat Reach
So how far does Snapchat reach? As popular as it is, in April 2023, it’s like a global party because these figures are impressive. India kicked off the festivities with a whopping 182.4 million Snapchatters, now this is a huge crowd! The United States didn’t let India steal the show and it showed a cool 108.8 million users, showing they’ve got some serious Snapchat love too. Now let’s move to Pakistan, France, and the United Kingdom with 26.4 million, 25.9 million, and 23.2 million Snapchat users. Saudi Arabia, Germany, Mexico, Iraq, and Egypt all joined Snapchat and have added a few more millions It’s not just numbers; it’s a human tale of people connecting, sharing, and having a community to share their stuff.
- Engagement Metrics Of Snapchat
By now, you know Snapchat is for sending and getting video messages, either just to friends or for everyone to see. But here’s the cool part, people on Snapchat are using it more than 30 times every day! And guess what? They’re not just sending random snaps; they’re using it to chat directly with their loved ones. Snapchat is indeed the simplest place.
Think of it like your friend Sarah and she’s on Snapchat, not once or twice but over 30 times a day! Why? Because Sarah loves sharing funny moments, silly faces, and quick hellos with her besties and family. It’s like having a little chat window open with the people she cares about, for most part the day. That’s why Snapchat is a favorite for people like Sarah – it’s not just an app; it’s like a pocket full of moments that are waiting to be shared.
- Teens Using Snapchat
Facebook is no longer having the same edge as it used to have in 2014, this is probably due to the advent of Snapchat. Snapchat has also taken over the Instagram audience, especially the teenagers. Perhaps most notably, Snapchat’s emphasis on ephemeral content has revolutionized how teenagers consume and engage with social media. The fleeting nature of Snapchat stories and messages creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity, driving users to stay active on the platform to avoid missing out on the latest updates from their friends and favorite accounts.
- Snapchat’s Huge Advertising Revenue
As we know most of the Snapchat traffic comes from Asia specifically from southern Asia, Southern Asia having 144.8 million users in total. So, if you’re a brand from Asia, North America, or Europe, or if you want to reach people in these places, think about using Snapchat. Furthermore, leveraging Snapchat for advertising enables brands to stay relevant and participate in ongoing conversations and trends. The platform’s interactive features, such as lenses, filters, and stickers, offer creative opportunities for brands to engage with users in a fun and memorable way, fostering brand awareness and loyalty.
- Do not underestimate Snapchat Stories
Snapchat stories are an interesting feature they are like your digital diary where you share moments with your friends. Instead of just sending one snap, you can create a whole story with pictures and videos and everything comes up with a day and date.
Then your friends can see your story for 24 hours, making it a fun way to share your day in little chapters. It’s like telling a mini-adventure about your life, and your friends are a part of it! In 2022, there was a 300% increase in Snap Stories with music. Some of the top tunes people used included “Happy Birthday” by Vitamin A “El Haraka De” by Ahmed Helmy, and “Like Me Better” by Lauv. There were a lot more songs as well.
- Snapchat Is Killing It With Trends
Snap streaks on Snapchat refer to the consecutive days of sending snaps (photos or videos) to a friend. To keep a streak going, both users must send snaps at least once every 24 hours. The app displays a flame emoji and the number of days the streak has been going, encouraging users to maintain the continuity.
Snap streaks have become a popular and fun feature on Snapchat and provide consistent communication and interaction between friends. Users often take pride in keeping and extending their snap streaks as a symbol of their ongoing friendship or connection on the platform. Have you ever thought about who holds the world record for the longest Snapchat streak? Well, then meet Hannah and Lauren Luckey. These smart streak-keepers have been doing their streak since the feature made its entry on April 6, 2015. Now that’s some serious love and devotion.
- Snapchats Phenomenal Video Views
Snapchat’s video feature is like a magic camera on your phone and instead of just taking pictures, you can make short videos, showing off what you’re up to. Add funny filters or cool effects, and you can send these videos to your friends. It’s a bit like making your mini-movies to share all the fun moments with your friends and family. Data says that over 60% of users watch videos with sound on and it’s the reason why Snapchat video views are in billions. This also shows the importance of sound effects and audio branding. ( Source: Tubular Labs, State of Online Video 2023)
- Messaging Frequency Of Snapchat
Every day, people on Snapchat send and get around 4 billion Snaps! This shows how important Snapchat is for talking to each other and people use it a lot for chatting and sharing, from regular talks to fun messages with filters and stickers and whatnot. It’s like a lively hangout where people from all over the world connect and have fun together.
Here is a lesser-known fact among the elderly generation about Snapchat: a large percentage of young people use Snapchat to share private pictures. People send messages on Snapchat basically for the same reason they would send texts. The main reason some folks use Snapchat for sending intimate photos is because of the whole “Once it’s seen, it disappears” idea that Snapchat was known for.
- Snapchat Engagement And Bitmojis
More than 200 million users actively use Bitmojis, which are basically cool personalized avatars, on Snapchat. It just goes to show how much people love these customizable digital versions of themselves. Bitmojis act like virtual identities by letting users create playful and expressive cartoon versions of who they are. This adds a fun touch to conversations and stories on the platform. With Bitmojis, users can make their interactions more personal, showing off their unique personalities and making Snapchat a lively and personalized chatting space for the younger generation. Bitmojis are just like your digital identity.
- Geofilter Usage On Snapchat
Imagine you’re in a magical place like Disneyland, right? Geo filters on Snapchat are like special stickers or decorations that only appear when you take a picture in that magical place. So, if you’re at Disneyland, you can swipe and find cute Mickey Mouse ears or a cool Disneyland logo to put on your picture. It’s like adding a little bit of magic to your photos, but only in specific places!
Every day, Snapchat users use Geofilters in about 1.5 million Snaps. This shows that people like adding these cool location-based designs to their photos. Geofilters make their pictures more interesting and personal only by adding a special touch to their stories and making their content unique. It’s like a fun way to share experiences, places, and events in a cool and visually appealing way that fits right into where they are.
5 Reasons Why Snapchat Is Popular Among The Young Generation
Since its popularity in 2015, Snapchat has taken social media by storm and it has never failed to amaze us with its new features and colorful additions. Here are some of the reasons why it’s popular among the younger generation especially:
- Messages That Disappear: Snapchat lets you send photos and videos that vanish after a few seconds. This is great because it feels more private and spontaneous. You can share funny moments without worrying they’ll stick around forever.
- Chatting in Real Time: You can chat with your friends instantly through text or video. It’s like having a conversation in real life, but on your phone. This makes staying in touch with friends feel more immediate and personal.
- Fun Filters and Effects: Snapchat has cool features like filters, stickers, and lenses that you can add to your photos and videos. It’s fun to play around with these and make your snaps look unique and creative.
- Discover Cool Stuff: On Snapchat, there’s a section called Discover where you can find interesting stories from news, entertainment, and more. It’s a great way to learn about what’s happening in the world and discover new things you’re interested in.
- Feeling Connected: When you see your friends’ Stories, it makes you feel like you’re part of their lives, even if you’re not together in person. It’s like getting a little peek into what they’re up to, and it makes you feel connected even when you’re apart.
Why Does Snapchat Have A Massive Female User Base?
More than half of Snapchat’s users worldwide are women and they are up about 51% so this means a little more than half of all the people using Snapchat are women. Now there are some possible reasons why women are the primary consumers of this platform.
Why do more ladies love Snapchat? Well, some think it’s because of cool stuff like disappearing messages and funny filters but who knows, it’s like a Snapchat mystery! Maybe, back in the day, when Snapchat was the new kid on the app block, it caught the eye of the younger crowd.
And you know how it is, once someone discovers something awesome, they tell their close ones, and it spreads like wildfire like the coolest secret party ever! Plus, studies say that women are like the social butterflies of the internet, sharing more stuff than guys. So, it’s like Snapchat is the ultimate hangout for the ladies who love sharing and having a good day.
Wrapping It Up
Looking at Snapchat’s impact globally, it’s clear it’s a big deal in the social media world. People from all corners are ditching Instagram, YouTube, Messenger, and others to join the Snapchat party. Whether you’re in Saudi Arabia, Germany, Egypt, France, Mexico, or North America, Snapchat is where it’s at for sharing photos and videos. It’s like a cool spot for all kinds of people, not especially for millennials but at least Genzee and we know why.
Moving on in 2024, Snapchat is still popular in the social media scene so it’s a prime spot for businesses to connect with their audience, no matter where they’re based. And don’t forget Snap Inc. has been crushing it for over 12 years.
