Why Snapchat is Worth More Than 3 Billion

Snapchat, the disappearing picture messaging app, recently exploded in the news due to its refusal to be bought by Facebook for 3 billion dollars. The app has more than tripled in popularity this year, and is now a top 10 app on both Android and iOS platforms. The app is most common amongst teens and young adults, but it is used in 20% of all iPhones on the network. Snapchat is unique in that it automatically deletes messages just seconds after they are viewed. While this could lead to problems, especially amongst young users, the app seems to be very beneficial and entertaining for the community.

The problem that was first presented to Snapchat was the issue of sexting. The app seems to be the perfect tool for sending potentially dangerous pictures because it deletes them automatically. But Snapchat has proved to be more useful than just that. While sexting definitely still exists on the app, it is not a problem to most users. First of all, users can control who sends them messages, so no one can send messages to you without your approval. But more importantly, the community of Snapchat promotes a much more appropriate environment.

For most people, the app feels like a way to avoid the ever-present reminder that we are always being watched. It has been drilled into our heads that we have to be careful on the internet and that what we do will always be permanent. But Snapchat promises to change this, and it lets people communicate freely without the risk of it coming back to hurt them. This especially promising to young people, because Snapchat allows them to be themselves without the risk of embarrassment.

Snapchat also boasts an elegant yet simple design which is very user friendly. Everything in Snapchat is very easy to set up, whether it is creating an account or changing your privacy settings. Snapchat also streamlines the picture messaging process. Simply take a picture and check the friends to send to. This makes communication much more easier than the alternative of group multimedia messages, which have a plethora of bugs and problems. Most impressively, Snapchat manages to bring this whole experience without costing the user anything – not even ad placements. Snapchat has yet to earn any money for the company (Snapchat, Inc.), and yet it is one of the most successful apps on the marketplace.

Because Snapchat has not made any revenue yet, it is digging around for potential income. Although the company has been given millions from venture capitalists, it is most likely going to look into in-app purchases to bring money in form its already strong user base. The mindset is that since millions of people already have the app, they can just ask those users to pay for more premium content, without the risk of losing any users. A move like this could lead to singificant income, which is probably why Snapchat decided to hold off on the Facebook deal.  

 While Snapchat does, of course, have its down sides, it has become a very fun app and it has been accepted by the younger generation, due to its simplicity and freedom. Snapchat does not look like it is going anywhere and it is worth a download if you have not given it a try. Odds are you will have more friends than you think on Snapchat, and it will not cost you a thing. Although it is still a young app, and it will need to find revenue soon, Snapchat has proved itself as a powerful app that deserves your attention.