Snapchat vs Instagram
Instagram announced it will be having a new component called Instagram stories. If you feel like Instagram stories has a similar ring to Snapchat stories, you’d be completely correct. If you felt Melania plagiarized Michelle Obama’s speech, Instagram may have topped it. Let’s look more closely at how these two apps are similar.
Time Sensitivity
Snapchat started off as an application where individuals could message each other more candid pictures of themselves. They were a one time open until Snapchat introduced a replay feature (probably as a monetization scheme?). Snapchat really started to blow up once it introduced stories. Here, we see a compilation of videos and pictures that disappear after 24 hours. Instagram has taken this right out of Snapchat’s playbook and implemented the same 24 hour window for stories to be seen.
User Interface
Both Snapchat and Instagram have implemented the touch to next picture/video. Also, swiping right goes to the next person. Swipe right for filters.
Drawing
One of the defining features of Snapchat was drawing. Again, Instagram has integrated that feature as well.
Communication Between People
When viewing a story of someone’s snapchat, you can swipe up and send a personal message. Instagram’s version is sending a direct message while guess “swiping up” (legitimately sliding into your DMs).
Views
Swipe up to see who has viewed your 10 sec story. Pretty standard.
Ok, enough hate on Instagram. Let’s talk realistically though. Instagram starting stories is a further confirmation that Snapchat’s strategy works. It’s the same way that Google+ confirmed that Facebook was killing it.
So the real question is can Instagram replace Snapchat or will it fall flat?
I want to address this by discussing what makes Instagram stories different and better. I’ll then address how Snapchat is better.
- On Instagram, you can easily search for your friends, celebrities, and businesses you like. You can follow them or just watch their stories. It’s much easier to build an audience.
- You don’t have to commit to following someone (or adding them as a friend *cough* Snapchat) to see how their stories look like.
- Instagram has many users worldwide who aren’t using Snapchat. These users will begin to use Instagram stories rather than downloading another app
- Drawing is more robust than Snapchat’s. You can change the thickness of the brush as well as find specific colors very easily. You even have a glow pen!!
Snapchat
Let’s see where Snapchat is better
- Snapchat is better because people already know how to use it (which is probably why Instagram copied and pasted the entire thing).
- You open right to the camera. It may not seem like big advantage, but in the midst of the moment, the fewer clicks you have to take a picture, the less likely you will miss the shot.
- Geotags and lenses. Enough said.
- Streaks. I’ve seen some of my friends have streaks lasting over 300 days. There is something just rewarding of having a number next to your best friend. (maybe we should start evaluating our friendships based on this number)
While Instagram has the same feeling of snapchat, there are a couple things that have made it better. With hashtags and high quality “regular” posts that already exists on Instagram, it is easier to build an audience with an additional form of interaction. On the other hand, Snapchat content creators have to push aggressively on other platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to grow their audience because of the lack of search capabilities.
With two apps that accomplish the same task (candid-time; sensitive content), I am excited to see what type of content is shared on both. While I don’t see users sharing the same content on both platforms. I can see each platform developing a niche similar to how Facebook and Instagram have developed different niches.
If you have read all this, thank you and I hope you found some value in it. This is where I am going to shamelessly plug my social media.
Snapchat: vamzzz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vamthebam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VamshiAdimulam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vamshi.adimulam
P.S: pressing the heart would really make my day :) Happy snapping or gramming I guess?
