Snapchat is an instant messaging application developed by students at Stanford University and first released in 2011. It is known for its ‘burn-on-sight’ photo-sharing feature, which allows users to take and send photos or videos (known as ‘snaps’) and set a viewing time for the content, after which it is automatically deleted.
Key features
- Burn After Reading: Snapshots sent by users automatically disappear after a set period of time for added privacy.
- Stories: Users can gather snapshots into ‘stories’ and share them with all their followers, with content visible for 24 hours.
- Rich filters and effects: Snapchat offers a wide range of filters and augmented reality effects, enabling users to create interesting content.
- Snap Map: Allows users to share their real-time location with friends and see what they are up to.
User Groups
Snapchat's main user group is young people between the ages of 13 and 25, but in recent years there has been a growth in users over the age of 40. It is often used to send selfies and everyday moments.
History
Snapchat has grown rapidly since its launch, having gone through several rounds of funding and a successful IPO in 2017. It has become one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, alongside competitors such as Instagram.
