Snapchat update: New version of the app attracts fierce criticism from users
Fans say they’re struggling to find and use some of their favourite features, like Stories
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.The new version of Snapchat is attracting fierce criticism from users, who are pleading with the company to reverse the changes.
The app has been completely redesigned, and fans say they’re struggling to find and use their favourite features, like Stories.
These have been moved to the new Friends page, where they sit alongside regular Snaps and messages. Here’s a breakdown of all the changes, and how to use the new version of Snapchat.
Feedback from Snapchat users on Twitter has been overwhelmingly negative.
The Snapchat Support Twitter account has been busy replying to complaints from users, some of whom are threatening to delete the app unless they can get the old version of Snapchat back.
Snapchat, meanwhile, is aware of the complaints, with a company spokesperson this week saying: “Updates as big as this one can take a little getting used to, but we hope the community will enjoy it once they settle in.”
The alterations have been designed to help Snapchat make money, and the company this week revealed strong fourth-quarter financial results.
The new version of Snapchat started reaching users around the turn of the year, but the company is now stepping up the rollout.
It announced the redesign last November, after reporting revenue and user growth well below Wall Street expectations. It also said some users found the app difficult to understand and use.
“There is a strong likelihood that the redesign of our application will be disruptive to our business in the short term, and we don’t yet know how the behaviour of our community will change when they begin to use our updated application,” Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel said at the time.
“We’re willing to take that risk for what we believe are substantial long-term benefits to our business.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments