What Is Snapchat?

Snapchat is a well-known multimedia messaging app that lets users share pictures and videos (called snaps) globally. The content is meant to disappear after it’s viewed, so this temporary nature of the app was designed to encourage a natural flow of interaction between users.

Snapchat app was created by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown, former students at Stanford University, and developed by Snap Inc. (originally Snapchat Inc.).

It is popular among the younger generations because this app gives them what they really want: a simple and quick way to share everyday moments with their friends. There are more than 180 million people who use the app every day.

Snapchat features

Snapchat has a feature called Snap Map that displays locations on a map in real-time. Your Snapchat friends can see where you are and you can see their locations, too, if they have opted into Snap Map. There is the option to turn off this feature or use it in Ghost Mode, which is great for safety reasons, especially for underage users.

Besides letting you connect with your friends, this app provides plenty of awesome stuff: photo and video editing tools, cool Snapchat filters, games, quizzes, news, and entertainment.

Snapchat is promoted as a “new type of camera” because, in the end, this app is about taking pictures or videos, adding filters or various effects, and sharing them with friends all over the world.

How does Snapchat work?

First thing’s first: Download the app, it’s free. (the terms of service show that users must be 13 to use the app). The next step is creating an account. Search for people you know and add them as friends.

Keep in mind that Snapchat photos usually start a conversation, not text, so tap the camera button to take a snap. Customize your picture then share it with your friends or add it to your story (where your friends can see the snap for 24 hours).