EOTO #1: Snapchat's History and Impact

 Snapchat is a multimedia messaging app that allows users to send photos and videos that disappear after a short period of time. It was created by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown, and was initially released in September 2011. The history of Snapchat can be divided into several key milestones.

In 2011, Snapchat was founded by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown, who were students at Stanford University at the time. The idea for Snapchat came about as a way to share photos that would disappear after a short period of time, offering a more private and ephemeral form of communication. The app was initially called "Picaboo" and was released in July 2011. Later that year, the name was changed to Snapchat. In 2013, Snapchat gained rapid popularity among young users, particularly teenagers and young adults, due to its unique features such as disappearing photos and videos, as well as creative filters and lenses. By 2013, Snapchat had already gained millions of active users and was known for its unique and innovative approach to messaging. In November of 2013, "...Mark Zuckerberg attempted to buy Snapchat for 3 billion dollars in November of 2013.. but his offer was refused"(BCG). 


In the beginning of 2014 til 2016, Snapchat continued to evolve with the introduction of new features such as Stories, which allowed users to share photos and videos that would disappear after 24 hours, and Discover, which provided a platform for publishers to share content. These updates helped Snapchat further differentiate itself from other messaging apps and solidified its position as a leading social media platform. 

In March 2017, Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, went public with its initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange. However, Snapchat faced increased competition from other social media platforms, particularly Instagram, which introduced similar features such as Stories and ephemeral messaging. This led to a decline in user growth and engagement for Snapchat, and the company faced challenges in retaining its user base. In an effort to address the challenges it was facing, Snapchat underwent a major redesign in early 2018, which was met with mixed reviews from users. Despite the initial backlash, Snapchat continued to innovate and introduced new features such as Snap Map, Bitmoji, and AR (augmented reality) lenses, which helped to regain some momentum. 


As of 2022, Snapchat continues to be a popular social media platform, particularly among younger users. The company has continued to roll out new features and updates to stay relevant in a constantly evolving social media landscape, including partnerships with various brands, influencers, and celebrities. Snapchat also continues to face competition from other platforms, and the future of the app will likely depend on its ability to adapt to changing user preferences and market dynamics. Everyone I know my age uses snapchat, and it is used by many as their primary source of communication.

Snapchat has had a tremendous impact on how Millennials and Get-Z use technology, as well as how other social media platforms are formatted.

Snapchat popularized the concept of disappearing content, where photos, videos, and messages shared on the platform automatically vanish after a short period of time. This unique feature has been widely adopted in many other social media platforms and messaging apps, changing the way people communicate and share content online. Snapchat was also one of the first apps to introduce AR filters, which are interactive overlays that users can apply to their photos or videos to add special effects or alter their appearance. This innovation has revolutionized the way people interact with AR technology and has spurred the development of AR filters in other platforms, apps, and devices. Snapchat popularized the use of vertical video, which is shot and viewed in portrait orientation, as opposed to the traditional horizontal video format. This has influenced the way video content is created and consumed on mobile devices, leading to the rise of vertical video as a standard format in social media and other platforms.

Snapchat pioneered the concept of "Stories," which are collections of photos or videos that disappear after 24 hours. This format has been widely adopted by other social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, as well as by other apps and websites. The Stories format has transformed the way people share and consume content, providing a more immersive experience.

Snapchat's emphasis on private, visual, and interactive messaging has reshaped the way people communicate digitally, with a focus on real-time and authentic interactions. This has influenced the messaging features of other social media platforms and messaging apps, with an increased emphasis on multimedia messaging and content. Snapchat becomes an addiction for many, as the real-time interactions feel as though they need to be addressed immediately. However, Snapchat's temporary nature of disappearing content has drawn attention to privacy and security concerns, prompting discussions and debates about digital privacy and data protection. This has raised awareness about the importance of user privacy and security in the digital era and has led to increased focus on privacy features in other technology products and services. As we know from previous lesson in week 2, privacy is seemingly becoming a thing of the past.

Snapchat has had a unique and evolving history, characterized by its innovative approach to messaging, rapid growth, competition with other platforms, and ongoing efforts to stay relevant through updates and new features. Snapchat has also had a global impact on technology by introducing and popularizing features such as disappearing content, AR filters, vertical video, Stories format, user-generated content, and reshaping messaging and communication norms. Its innovations have influenced other platforms and apps, shaping the way people communicate, share content, and think about privacy and security in the digital age.



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