In the ever-changing world of new technologies, creations occasionally emerge that challenge established norms and capture the public’s imagination. From the wheel to the Internet, each technological advancement opened new doors to a future filled with unexplored possibilities.
Social media, in particular, has transformed the way we communicate and share information. From the early days of Friendster and MySpace to the current omnipresence of platforms like Instagram and TikTokThese networks connected billions of people around the world, creating virtual communities that transcend geographical and cultural barriers.
In this context of innovation and global connection, it emerged 13 years ago Snapchat, an app that challenges convention by introducing the concept of ephemeral messages. Conceived by three college students as an experimental project, Snapchat soon became a phenomenon that in no time redefined how we share moments and experiences online.
Snapchat, to this day, allows users to send photos and videos that are only accessible for a limited time, before disappearing without a trace. This innovation not only captured the attention of millions of users eager for privacy and spontaneity, but also inspired other social networks to create new tools.
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How Snapchat was born, the social network that revolutionized sending messages on social networks
Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy and Reggie Brown met while they were students at Stanford University in California. In 2011, As part of a university project, they began to develop an app called “Picaboo”. The original idea behind Picaboo was to allow users to send photos that disappeared after a few secondsinspired by the idea of privacy and ephemerality in digital communication.
Initially, the response was mixed among friends and acquaintances, but the founders saw broader potential in their concept. They decided to relaunch the app under a new name, Snapchat, in September 2011. The new version kept the original concept of ephemeral messages but also introduced Significant improvements to interface and functionality.
Snapchat’s launch coincided with a time when social media and messaging apps were booming, but few offered such a different way to share moments. The ability to send photos and videos that disappeared after being viewed not only responded to the privacy concernsbut also introduced an element of spontaneity and fun that especially resonated with young people.
Over time, Snapchat evolved with new features. In 2013, they introduced “Stories,” a feature that allowed users to create sequences of photos and videos that could be viewed by their friends for 24 hours before disappearing. This transformed Snapchat from an ephemeral messaging app into a more complete and dynamic social platform.
In addition to Stories, Snapchat became known for its innovative augmented reality filters, known as Lenses, which allowed users to transform their faces in real time with fun and creative effects. This feature not only boosted Snapchat’s popularity, but also attracted the attention of big brands and advertisers who saw the platform as a unique way to reach a young, engaged audience.
Over the years, Snapchat has continued to innovate and adapt to the changing demands of its users and the market. From adding instant messaging features to expanding into original content and celebrity collaborations, Snapchat has proven to be much more than just an ephemeral photo app. Also, over the years, Snapchat and its owners resisted significant acquisition offers, including a tempting $3 billion offer from Facebook in 2013, which was rejected by its founders who saw even greater potential in their creation.
Despite other platforms being much bigger at the box office these days, Snap Inc., the company behind Snapchat, continues to compete in the social media landscape, competing with giants like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. According to Forbes, the company has assets valued at $7.2 billion, and its owner, Evan Spiegel, has an estimated net worth of $3.8 billion, ranking him 1,062nd among the richest people in the world.
