Snapchat, like WhatsApp Business and Telegram, has launched a paid subscription service in an effort to increase revenue.
The subscription, dubbed “Snapchat+,” provides users with early access to new features as well as exclusive access to specific features in the ephemeral messaging app.
What exactly is Snapchat Plus?
It’s a messaging app’s premium subscription that grants users access to “a collection of exclusive, experimental, and pre-release features.”
It includes a slew of benefits, such as the ability to designate a friend as a BFF, an exclusive badge, a story rewatch count, and more.
However, it is important to note that the Snapchat+ subscription does not remove ads from the platform, which is a major disappointment.
Snapchat is not the only messaging app that has recently launched a subscription service.
Over the last few months, popular messaging services such as WhatsApp and Telegram have announced WhatsApp Premium and Telegram Premium, respectively.
Top Exclusive Features
- Personalized Story Expiration
Previously, Snapchat stories would expire after 24 hours. Snapchat+ subscribers, on the other hand, can now set custom timers on their stories. Subscribers can set a timer ranging from one hour to one week. This means you can now post a Snapchat story and keep it live for up to a week.
- Personalized Notification Sounds
Subscribers to Snapchat Plus can also customize notification sounds for specific contacts.
This can be useful in determining who sent you a Snap or a chat without having to search your phone for the sender’s name.
Within the Snapchat settings, you can configure custom notification tones for specific contacts. There are a total of seven sounds to choose from.
- Color Borders on Cameras
Another new Snapchat+ feature is the ability to add custom colored borders around the Snapchat camera view.
You can select from a variety of colours that will appear around your camera as you record videos or take pictures with the Snapchat camera.
- Pin Friend as #1 BFF
This will allow you to pin a friend as your #1 BFF to the top of the chat window. However, it doesn’t appear that you have to be best friends with the person to pin them.
Those who manage to be each other’s top friends for two weeks in a row will receive a red heart next to their names in the chats list and will be referred to as BFFs.
- Snapchat+ Badge
You will also receive an elusive star icon next to your Snapchat profile name as part of the Snapchat+ subscription to indicate that you are a subscriber. When others visit your profile, they will most likely notice your badge.
- Count of Story Rewatches
Snapchat+, as the name implies, will show you how many times your friends have rewatched your story. However, it appears that the feature is currently experimental and may be expanded to other users in the near future.
- Ghost Trails
Ghost Trails on Snap Maps allows you to view your friends’ location history for the last 24 hours. It’s worth noting that Ghost Trails will only appear if your friend shares their location with you.
- Icons Exclusive to Snapchat
Custom icons are also new with the Snapchat+ subscription. According to Alessandro Paluzzi’s most recent tweet, there are over 30 icons to choose from. More icons for Snapchat Plus users may be added in the future.
- Responses to Priority Stories
If you have a subscription, your replies to Snapchat Stars’ (Snap Stars’) stories will be prioritized and more visible to them.
- Post View Emoji
The subscribers will be able to choose an emoji that will appear when their friends view the Snap. This means that you can now have a sort of sign-off after each snap you send.
How do I sign up?
Here’s how to sign up to get access to exclusive, experimental, and pre-release features:
- Navigate to your Profile.
- Tap the Snapchat+ banner card at the top of the screen.
- Select a subscription to begin your 7-day free trial.
- After successfully subscribing, you may need to restart the Snapchat app to see the feature options.
It costs $3.99 USD per month, $21.99 USD for six months, or $39.99 USD per year. To be eligible for this feature, you must have the most recent version of the app.
To read our blog on “You may now use Snapchat on the web,” click here