Snapchat Adds New Features Hoping To Beat Instagram

Snapchat has just announced its latest strategies to help it stands head and shoulders above the competition against rivals like Instagram.

What it is planning to do includes original content, a platform that supports a multiplayer mode, and tools to add Snapchat stories to other platforms, like Tinder for example, as well as AR-supported features.

Here are what we can make out from these new additions. With the AR, we will have functions like math problem solving by direct the camera to the problems, partnership with Amazon so that you can buy what you see and with Shazam to know what songs you are hearing.

The partnership with Amazon will allow you to shop for anything you see

The most obvious reason for Snapchat to implement these changes is that it wants to engage its users more. Its camera will be in the center of this plan as it allows users to gain some kind of benefit from using the camera.

However, if users are addicted to Instagram’s Stories, this plan might not work as these new features are not enough to uproot them from the photo-sharing platform, which is also working on its AR-driven functions.

The developer kit, or the Snapkit, will allow developers to add Snapchat's content to their apps if they want. So if users stick with Snapchat, they might be able to share their experience on other applications.

Snapkit will allow developers to add Snapchat content to their apps if they want

Snapchat has already had Netflix and Tinder with them on this plan. Now users can implement Snapchat’s stories in their profile or share what they are watching with their friends. This might sound promising, but users are the ones who decide if these changes can lead to a better outcome or not. Instagram has already had a similar partnership with Spotify and Netflix already.

There are two more announcements to be analyzed here, which have the potential to exert a more significant impact than the Snapkit and the AR features. Snap Originals will have in its portfolio ten brand new shows after the success of the launch last year. Endless Summer has gained 28 million views, contributing to the overall accomplishment. The Dead Girls Detective Agency saw a similar outcome as 40% of those who watched the first episode continue to watch the rest.

The Dead Girls Detective Agency saw 40% of those who watched the first episode continue to watch the rest

Instagram went to a different path last year when it launched IGTV so that creators can create a similar thing to what we have on YouTube but for vertical videos.

The last statement is about the Snap Games, which enable multiplayers. In the launching event, Snapchat demonstrated six titles which do not require any extra installation and players can play on the chat window directly. The company project that they might entertain users when they are in conversation with their contacts. However, these games must be captivating enough to pull in players again and again.

These announcements suggest that Snapchat is steering away from its initial plan to be a camera company and put more effort into adding quality content. Copycats have been hindering the platform for a long time, and by sharing these functions, the company hopes that it can solve this problem.

According to Snapchat, in quarter 3 and 4 of 2018, its userbase did not have much of a change as it stayed at around 186million users. However, its ruling spot as the first choice of US’s teens has been taken by Instagram.

Snapchat is turning to India as a more promising market for its products. The company has already introduced the Discover section and worked with cricket teams to encourage users to visit its platform. Many people said that they were curious about the Snap Games and might give it a try to see if it can meet their expectations.