Snapchat update lets you send Stories to people who don't use the app
They can watch the clips through a new video player on the company's website
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Snapchat users can now share Stories with people who aren’t on the app.
The company has introduced a new sharing feature, which you can use to send Official Stories, Our Stories and Search Stories to people who don’t use Snapchat.
They can then watch them through a new video player on Snapchat.com. A link will appear in the corner of screen, directing them to a download page for the Snapchat app.
The feature is currently only available to Snapchat users who have received the update for the new, redesigned version of the app. That update started rolling out at the beginning of the year, but is yet to reach all users.
Snapchat is facing increased competition from Instagram Stories and WhatsApp Status – both of which are almost identical to Snapchat Stories – and the company is looking for ways to attract new users.
While Snapchat has 178 million daily users, Instagram Stories and WhatsApp Status had 300 million in November.
To share Official Stories, Our Stories or Search Stories with people who don’t use Snapchat, you first have to swipe left on the camera screen, to get to the new Discover screen.
From there, you need to tap and hold a Story tile, select the Share Story option and choose how you’d like to share the Story.
SMS, email and a selection of messaging platforms are available, and you can also copy a link.
“Official Stories help Snapchatters discover and identify interesting Stories more easily. If a Snapchatter has an Official Story, their name will appear under an Official Stories header when you search for them in the Add Friends screen. An emoji will also appear next to their name, so you know they’re the real deal,” says Snapchat.
Official Stories are currently only available to a “small group” of Snapchat users, and if you share one with somebody who isn’t on Snapchat, it will only be available to watch for 24 hours.
“Our Stories make you feel like you’re at an event, festival or celebration anywhere in the world and are hand-curated or automatically created by Team Snapchat. You can find Our Stories by swiping left to the Discover screen and tapping on the Our Story you’d like to watch, or by using search,” says Snapchat.
If you share one with somebody who isn’t on Snapchat, it will be available to watch for 30 days.
“Search Stories are another way to discover user generated Snaps on Snapchat. Stories that appear in Search typically appear in the order of what’s relevant to you, trending, or happening nearby,” the company explains.
“You can also search keywords in Search to see Snaps from the community. Search Stories are algorithmically generated so you can find Stories on just about anything on Snapchat.”
If you share a Search Story with somebody who doesn’t use Snapchat, it will be available to watch for 30 days.
The Independent asked Snapchat if users will be able to share their own Stories with people who don’t use the app in the future.
The company responded: “It’s just Official Stories, Our Stories and Search Stories. Users can share their stories on Snapchat with friends directly, or save to Memories, or to camera roll and then share in other ways.”
Snapchat decided to redesign its app in November, because some users found it difficult to understand and use.
However, the changes haven’t gone down well with some users, who say they’re struggling to find their favourite features.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments