Snapchat is among the most popular social platforms today with over 375 million daily users. It allows individuals to share their stories in the form of photos and short video clips. Individuals can also interact by sending direct messages to each other.
But as is the case with most platforms, Snapchat has its pros and cons.
Having a look at the two sides of the coin is a sure way to determine if it is the ideal platform for your specific needs. This is precisely what I am going to focus on in this post.
Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of Snapchat.
Pros of Snapchat
1. Snapchat is free
One of the greatest pros of Snapchat is that it is available completely free of charge. The process of signing up is relatively easy since you just need to provide a valid email and fill out your profile with details such as your first and last name.
You also have to pick a username because that is what will be visible to other users. The entire process of signing up and creating a profile takes up only a fraction of your time.
Once you have an account, you can chat with as many people as you like without having to worry about incurring any costs. You can also take and upload as many pictures as you like.
2. Snapchat is available for mobile devices
If you love the convenience that comes with mobile applications, you’ll certainly appreciate Snapchat because it is available for both Android and iOS devices.
One of the best things about the mobile app is that it comes in a file size of less than 300 MB which can download relatively fast. The application utilizes a fraction of your system’s resources so you won’t have to worry about experiencing any lags.
Another positive aspect of the app is that it opens directly to the camera. That means you can take instant photos and upload them with a few clicks of a button.
3. Snapchat on the web
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While Snapchat was previously available for mobile devices only, the developers recently released a new version that is compatible with most modern browsers.
You can, therefore, get to enjoy all the major functions of Snapchat from your browser. Some of the things you can do in this version include taking photos via your computer’s camera, chatting, and following stories from other users.
You’ll be pleased to know that you do not have to download any additional software to use this version of Snapchat. It can work seamlessly in browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera Mini.
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4. Has a beautiful interface
One of the first things you get to interact with when you sign up for Snapchat is the overall layout or interface. It is designed to give both new and expert users an easy time when navigating or using different functions.
The layout is pretty simple and straightforward which is why you do not have to worry about getting overwhelmed by unnecessary distractions. The intuitive interface makes it easy for just about anyone to initiate different functions including taking photos and uploading content.
Another exciting thing about Snapchat is that it has a light and dark mode option. This makes it possible for you to switch from one to another depending on prevailing lighting conditions.
This platform also includes plenty of tutorials and guides to help you find solutions to common problems.
5. Accommodates videos and photos
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An impressive thing about Snapchat is that it allows users to share their content in the form of videos and photos. This can be a good way to show your followers what is happening.
Keep in mind that most people on social media are likely to browse through photos or watch short video clips rather than have to read long articles. It is advisable that you share HD videos and photos to ensure that people keep coming back for more.
Once you share your content, it takes a specific amount of time before it automatically destructs. That means there will be no record of the photo or video you shared.
This can be a good thing especially if you are the type of person that believes in forgetting the past and embracing the present and future.
Explore: Snapchat vs TikTok
6. You get to know who is watching
Snapchat is one of the few social media sites that let you know exactly who is watching your posts. On a personal level, this can be a good way to find out if your ex, parent, sibling, or friend is monitoring your content.
If you are trying to promote your brand, you can get to know exactly who you are reaching and whether they are interested in what you are offering or not.
The good news is that you do not need any special software or skills to determine the number of people that are interacting with your posts.
The information is readily available if you click through the viewers’ section.
7. It creates a singular story from many perspectives
One of the most popular features of Snapchat is that it can collect pictures or videos from different people and use each to build a singular story. This feature is activated when different people attending the same event share their stories on Snapchat.
As each person’s story goes up, Snapchat picks up on it and uses the content to create a brilliant collage. At the end of the day, each person’s perspective is captured and shared with the world.
This feature can be one of the most exciting things to watch since it helps make people feel connected even though they are truly strangers.
Explore: Best Apps Like Snapchat For Kids
8. It incorporates geofilters
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Another impressive thing about this social platform is that it offers users area-specific filters popularly known as geofilters. These are filters that are activated once a user enters a specific area.
Geofilters make it possible for brands to carry out effective marketing because they target people in specific regions. They also help boost the rate at which individuals can interact because strangers get to find out if they are in the same location.
9. Direct interactions with brands
A lot of companies encourage their followers to take snaps next to their products or while receiving a service and in return win amazing prizes. This can be an excellent way to win customer loyalty while also making different people act like brand ambassadors.
Consumers also get to interact with service or product providers directly by sharing messages or video and photo stories.
It is worth pointing out that even celebrities take advantage of Snapchat’s video and photo-sharing capabilities to connect on a more personal level with their fans.
10. Offers a variety of filters
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Snapchat has a wide range of filters you can use to turn an otherwise boring video into an exciting work of art. From funny to scary and even moody filters, you can be sure to find something that will light up your social media space.
Also Read: How To Enable Snapchat Parental Monitoring On Your Child’s Device?
11. Commercial content is less interruptive
One of the most annoying things about mainstream social media platforms is that they incorporate popups and other forms of ads that can be quite disruptive.
For instance, if you search for a product on Google or Facebook, you’ll soon realize that many related popup adverts start to appear on your newsfeed.
Snapchat also allows brands to run adverts but these ads are not as disruptive as they often appear on other platforms. Instead, users have to search for adverts and watch them just the same way as they would with any other normal story.
12. Content is short and easy to consume
Snapchat allows users to share video clips of less than 60 seconds. This makes watching videos on this platform a breeze.
Even if you have a limited amount of mobile data, you can rest assured that you’ll get through a number of stories before you run out of data. Short clips are relatively easy to consume since you do not have to be focused for a long time.
It is equally important to note that creating videos that last less than 60 seconds is relatively easy, and therefore many people can do it without any special skills.
13. Video calls and live shows
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Many mainstream social media platforms allow users to interact with their friends or fans through text messages. Snapchat takes it a notch higher by facilitating high-quality video calls.
That means you can simply pick up your phone and call your friend to talk about anything. There is also the option of navigating to Snapchat’s Live section where you can stream events that are taking place in real-time.
Also Read: How To Use Disney-style 3D Filter On Snapchat?
14. Exceptional security
Another advantage of using Snapchat is that it takes safety and security seriously. There are measures in place to ensure that users on the platform are genuine and that they do not engage in any activity that can compromise the safety of another.
All messages sent over the site are encrypted to ensure that no third party can access them. Another point to note is that everything you post on the platform automatically self-destructs after 24 hours.
That means even if someone were to hack your account, they would not find any important information.
15. Multilingual support
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Snapchat supports over 37 different languages. That makes it one of the most accessible social media platforms for people around the world.
Additionally, the platform has a map section where you can simply click on any area of the map to view stories that are submitted by people in those regions.
Cons of Snapchat
Take a look at some drawbacks of using Snapchat.
1. Can’t share content outside the platform
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Many social media platforms have evolved to ensure that users can integrate with other platforms. This makes it possible to create content on one platform and then share it seamlessly on others.
Snapchat has not yet developed such a feature and that means all content created on the platform can only be viewed by users on the same site.
At the end of the day, you’ll need to download videos or photos from your Snapchat account before you share them on other sites.
2. Can be addictive
When something is associated with good experiences, it always runs the danger of becoming addictive. Snapchat is no exception as many people have found themselves spending a lot of time on the platform.
Developing addictive tendencies toward this social media platform can have some negative effects. For instance, you may find yourself spending time on the site instead of working on your project.
Students may also end up lagging behind in their studies all because they are distracted by the exciting stories they come across on the platform.
3. The video length can be an inconvenience
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In the beginning, Snapchat used to allow users to create 10-second videos but that has since changed and now users can create videos of up to 60 seconds. This can be an advantage for individuals with little to no skills when it comes to creating videos.
It can also be advantageous for those with limited mobile data. However, it can be an inconvenience for individuals that wish to create longer videos as a way of entertaining or sharing information with others.
The length of the video can, therefore, be termed as a pro or a con depending on the perspective you take.
4. Not the ideal platform for marketing
A lot of social media sites create a platform where startups and multinationals can showcase their services and products in the hope of boosting sales. Snapchat’s design is such that anyone that wants to run marketing campaigns must double the efforts to get the results they desire.
For instance, when you create a one-minute video, you’ll need to keep posting it on the site on a daily basis and that can be both tedious and time-consuming.
Short videos may also not achieve the results you can get when you pack your message into a two or three-minute clip.
5. Ads can be expensive for small businesses
If you are a startup or small business, you may find it quite expensive to run ads on this platform. That is because the cheapest paid package starts at $5 a day and that may not be enough to create the reach you want.
The platform advises that anyone that wants to make an impact should consider spending at least $20-$50 per day. This may not be the best rate for startups or small businesses that are in the initial stages of setting up.
6. Does not provide advanced analytics
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Apart from providing information about those who have viewed your posts, there is no other advanced analytics tool related to Snapchat.
That means you are unlikely to find out information about the average age of the people you are reaching, their gender, and their location.
This lack of advanced analytics tools means that you can always choose other alternatives including Facebook, which give you detailed insights regarding your posts and the people that you are reaching.
7. Self-destruct may not be as effective as desired
One of the main points used to promote Snapchat is that it has a self-destruct feature that ensures all stories are removed from the platform after 24 hours. This feature is meant to promote real-time connections while also protecting users.
The problem is that anyone can take a screenshot of your story and keep it for future use. That means even if the story is deleted from the platform, some other person can still have a record of it.
8. Geotargeting
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Snapchat includes geofilters that let others know exactly where you are. This can be useful if you want to let your parents or friends know your whereabouts.
However, it can pose some risks since people with malicious intent can also use the platform to know your location before executing their plan.
For instance, if a thief wants to break into your house, they may wait until you are away from home before they break in.
Stalkers and annoying advertisers may also end up harassing you simply because they know exactly where to find you.
9. Limited reach
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Snapchat has over 144 million users in India and about 108 million users in the United States. It also has a huge following in various other countries.
However, this platform is more popular with people between the ages of 18 to 24. That means when you are using Snapchat for marketing purposes, you are likely going to reach people that fall in this age bracket.
If your product or service is intended for an older audience, you’ll need to use more than this platform to carry out campaigns.
Also Read: Best Times To Post On Social Media
10. Restricted connectivity
Another downside to using Snapchat is that it offers restricted connectivity. That is because it does not have any options for you to make your profile public so that anyone can view it.
Instead, when you share a story only your friends are able to view it. Additionally, comments on stories go through a strict vetting process meaning you can post a comment only for it to take a long time before it shows up.
Note that it is up to the creator of the story to highlight your comment before others can see it. You’ll also be disappointed to know that Snapchat does not have a share button so it is quite difficult for content to go viral since your friends cannot lend a helping hand by re-sharing.
11. Can encourage dangerous behavior
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There are many Snapchat videos that have been created while people are engaged in serious activities such as driving or operating machinery.
In such cases, the capturing of photos or videos can end up distracting the user who may cause an accident.
Also Read: Best Private Social Media Platforms
12. False sense of reality
One of the things that makes Snapchat exciting can also work as a disadvantage and that is its filters. When people keep using things like beauty filters, they create unrealistic expectations from their fans or new contacts.
Living up to the beauty standards created by Snapchat filters can be quite depressing and may end up compromising the ability of people to socialize in a real environment.
13. Finding friends can be difficult
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When using mainstream social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, you can find your friends by simply searching for their real names or telephone numbers.
On Snapchat, you’ll need to know your friends’ Snapchat ID, Snapcode, or have their contact number embedded in your mobile device.
This can make things quite challenging especially if you wish to reconnect with someone that you have not been in contact with for some time.
Also Read: What Does MK, FYI & Other Slang Mean On Snapchat?
14. Clickbait is rampant
There is a growing concern that Snapchat may lose its appeal thanks to the growing number of people that are using it for the wrong reasons.
For instance, some people create content that promises one thing but when you click on them you find something that is totally unrelated to what was promised.
15. Offers no records for future reference
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All content shared on Snapchat automatically self-destructs after a time, therefore, leaving no record of it.
If you send an important message or video to a contact and they fail to check their Snapchat within the stated time, chances are that they may never know about the message you sent.
Wrapping Up
Social media platforms such as Snapchat have changed the way people interact throughout the world. They have improved the sharing of information and marketing and encouraged people from around the world to meet and build strong relationships.
However, these platforms also have significant downsides as mentioned above.
At the end of the day, it depends on us how we can make the best use of these platforms by carefully analyzing the benefits and drawbacks they have to offer.
