In an effort to make it even easier to use, Snapchat has overhauled its app with a fresh new redesign.
The makeover to separate ‘social’ and ‘media’, creating a clear distinction between interactions with friends and content from publishers and creators.
Snapchat now ‘learns’ who your favourite friends are and the Discover window will show content from brands and publishers.
The app redesign is rolling out to users in stages in countries including the UK, US, Australia and Canada.
In an effort to make it even easier to use, Snapchat has overhauled its app with a fresh new redesign. The new app is designed to separate ‘social’ and ‘media’, creating a clear distinction between interactions with friends (pictured left) and content from publishers (pictured right)
A Snapchat spokesperson said: ‘Updates as big as this one can take a little getting used to, but we hope the community will enjoy it once they settle in.’
Users can now swipe left to see the Friends screen, where they can chat with friends and watch their Stories.
They can swipe right to see the Discover screen, where they can watch Stories from publishers, creators, and the community.
During Snap’s annual earnings call, CEO Evan Spiegel said: ‘Our redesign separates social from media, solving many of the problems that arise when friends are commingled with professional content creators.
‘While we are still very early in the rollout, we are optimistic about the potential to unlock additional growth with the redesign of our application.
‘Our early observations support the thesis behind the new architecture and the many growth opportunities that it provides.
‘For example, in one of our first test markets, we saw that the number of Daily Active Users watching Publisher Stories on Discover grew by over 40 percent when compared to the old design of the application.’
As part of the redesign, Snapchat has added a few other additions. Your own Story can now be managed through your Profile page, while Group Chats now automatically have their own Group Story
The ‘Friends’ page is where users will see the friends they talk to the most.
The area shows friends’ Stories, their Bitmojis and users Chats all together.
To the right side of the camera, users will now find a brand new Discover page where they can watch Stories from publishers, creators, and the community that they find most interesting.
The new Discover page will serve this content in a full-screen, vertical scroll, ordered on what Snapchat has seen is most relevant and interesting to the user.
While the Stories on Discover are algorithmically personalised, Snapchat also curates and moderates everything that is promoted.
As part of the redesign, Snapchat has added a few other additions.
Your own Story can now be managed through your Profile page, while Group Chats now automatically have their own Group Story.
And finally, the Snap Map will now make an appearance on the Discover page in Search.
Mr Spiegel said: ‘Until now, social media has always mixed photos and videos from your friends with content from publishers and creators.
‘While blurring the lines between professional content creators and your friends has been an interesting internet experiment, it has also produced some strange side-effects (like fake news) and made us feel like we have to perform for our friends rather than just express ourselves.
‘The new Snapchat separates the social from the media.’
Users can now send snaps, and look at their personal and Group stories through their Profile page
To make the Discover page even more entertaining, Snapchat will also start providing creators with a more rewarding experience that includes better distribution and monetisation opportunities