Snapchat Revives Retro Trends and Classic Features
Snapchat is turning back the clock with its latest update, bringing nostalgic elements into its modern platform. Aside from the obvious nostalgia value, this move aims to draw in both old and new users by bringing back a classic set of tools and features from the platforms’s earlier days.
One of the standout features of this update is the revival of Bitstrips, the precursor to Bitmoji, which once dominated social media. Snap is reintroducing Bitstrips through its Bitmoji Stories, now enhanced with 3D avatars. This new twist allows users to create and share comic-strip style stories featuring personalized avatars of themselves and their friends.
Another exciting addition is the lyric stickers, which enable users to add song lyrics to their Snaps. This feature not only caters to music enthusiasts but also positions Snapchat as a strong contender in the music engagement space. With TikTok’s future in the U.S. uncertain, Snapchat’s focus on music could be a strategic move to fill any gaps in the “MusicTok” space, especially given recent changes in the tools available to Snapchat+ subscribers.
Snapchat+ subscribers also gain the ability to rewatch Snaps they’ve sent for up to five minutes after sending. Additionally, Snapchat+ subscribers now have the ability to set custom ringtones for individual friends or group chats. Both of these are small but useful quality-of-life changes that will benefit both dedicated content creators and regular users alike.
Snapchat’s renewed focus on Bitstrip sand other similar retro features taps into a trends that once captivated millions, but still accounts for all the changes that the platform has been through over the years. It’s unclear if these features will all be a permanent addition, but this long list of positive changes will undoubtedly give Snapchat a boost in its user base.