Snapchat is preparing to make a major design change that will mark 2024. The five-tab structure that the company has maintained for years is being replaced by a simpler and more user-friendly interface. With this new arrangement called “Simple Snapchat,” the application will now have only three basic tabs. This innovation includes important changes for both content creators and users. Announced at Snapchat’s Partner Summit in Los Angeles, this new design aims to make the basic functions of the application more accessible and simple.
Snapchat’s current interface consisted of tabs for Snap Map, chats, camera, stories, and TikTok-like Spotlight. The new design reduces that structure to three main tabs: a tab for messages and stories, a separate tab for the camera, and a stream featuring full-screen videos from creators. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel said the new design significantly simplifies both content discovery and in-app interactions. By combining stories with messages, users will be able to more easily access stories shared by friends while chatting with them.
Content discovery is being reshaped
Another notable aspect of the new arrangement is the changes made to the content discovery area. The new “For You” stream, which will be located to the right of the camera tab, will consist of videos shared by media organizations and content creators. This stream will be presented to users in a full-screen video format and will make content discovery faster and more fluid. Thus, Snap’s Spotlight feature, which competes with TikTok and Instagram Reels, will be combined with media content. Content from major publishers such as the Wall Street Journal and Daily Mail will also be included in this stream.
This combined content flow is also expected to produce significant results in terms of revenue for the company. Snapchat aims to increase advertising revenues in this area. Evan Spiegel stated that the innovation will be rolled out to users gradually and that changes in content dynamics will be closely monitored during this process. It is known that the company makes a significant profit from advertising revenues revolving around this content. The new regulation aims to further strengthen this revenue model.
Snapchat’s move aims to transform the app from a messaging tool to a broader content platform. Given the popularity of short-form video content in particular, it’s not surprising that Snapchat is investing more in this area. Evan Spiegel also says that content creators can reach a wide audience through short-form videos and that the new regulation will make this process even easier. Creators, who currently share more than a billion pieces of content on Snapchat every month, are expected to earn more views and revenue thanks to this new structure.
With the design change, Snapchat aims to not only simplify the user experience, but also provide more effective monetization for content creators and media outlets within the app. The change will be rolled out gradually to Snapchat’s 850 million users and aims to increase interaction between content creators and users.