It is interesting that Snap would launch a web-based portal after more than ten years of providing just mobile services; this shows that Snap is emulating its main user base as they become older and transition from mobile devices to desktop computers in the workplace.
The mobile-first messaging app Snapchat is now accessible on the web, but you must be a paying customer or a resident of a particular area to use it.
Some of the most popular messaging features from Snapchat are available on the web, including Chat Reply and Chat Reactions. Others, like Lenses, are reportedly coming shortly. Users will be able to begin a call or continue where they left off on mobile with the online site.
More than 330 million people use Snapchat daily, and more than 100 million Snapchat users utilise the app’s voice and video calling capabilities on a monthly basis, claims Snap.
Starting today, Chrome users in the US, the UK, and Canada, as well as regular Snapchat users in Australia and New Zealand, may test out Snapchat for the Web. Later on, support for more browsers will be included.
Last month, Snapchat introduced its premium membership service, which costs $3.99 a month and grants subscribers exclusive access to beta and experimental features. Notably, advertising are not removed in the premium tier.
Snap’s stock is up over 3% on the announcement, although it has lost close to 70% of its value so far this year.
To read our blog on “Snapchat is experimenting with a premium membership service called Snapchat Plus,” click here.