When Was Snapchat Created?
A Comprehensive History of the Popular Social Media App
Snapchat, the popular messaging app known for its disappearing messages, has a rich history that dates back to 2011. Here's a comprehensive timeline of the app's key milestones:
2011: The Birth of Snapchat
Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown, three Stanford University students, launched Snapchat on July 8, 2011 under the name "Picaboo." The app initially allowed users to send photos and videos that disappeared after a few seconds.
2012: Rebranding and Rapid Growth
In September 2012, the app was rebranded as "Snapchat." It quickly gained popularity among teenagers and young adults, thanks to its unique disappearing messages feature. By the end of the year, it had over 1 million daily active users.
2013: Expansion and Innovation
Snapchat introduced several new features in 2013, including the ability to send text messages, add filters to photos and videos, and create stories. The app's user base continued to grow rapidly, reaching 10 million daily active users by the end of the year.
2014: Snapchat Stories and International Expansion
In 2014, Snapchat launched Snapchat Stories, a feature that allowed users to share multiple photos and videos that disappeared after 24 hours. The app also expanded internationally, launching in several new countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
2015: Continued Growth and Competition
Snapchat continued to grow in popularity in 2015, reaching over 100 million daily active users. However, it faced increased competition from other social media apps, such as Instagram, which launched its own disappearing messages feature.
2016: IPO and Spectacles Launch
In March 2017, Snapchat went public with an initial public offering (IPO) that valued the company at $24 billion. Later that year, the company launched Spectacles, a pair of sunglasses with a built-in camera that allowed users to take photos and videos that could be shared directly to Snapchat.
2017: Rebranding and Focus on AR
In 2017, Snapchat rebranded itself as "Snap Inc." and announced a new focus on augmented reality (AR). The company released several AR-powered features, including Lenses, which allowed users to add virtual objects and effects to their photos and videos.
2018-Present: Continued Innovation and Expansion
Snapchat has continued to innovate and expand in recent years. It has introduced new features such as Snap Originals, a series of original shows produced exclusively for the app, and Snapchat Maps, a location-based feature that allows users to share their location and see what their friends are up to. The app has also expanded internationally, reaching over 500 million daily active users worldwide as of 2023.
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