What Is Snapchat and How Does It Work? Guide to Snap Score & Live Location

Snapchat is one of the most common social media platforms in the United States, particularly among Gen Z and millennials. For newcomers, or returners after a break, it may feel a little confusing. If you are wondering what is Snapchat and how does it work, or features such as Snap score and live location, this is your guide.

What Is Snapchat and How Does It Work?

Let us start with the basics. What exactly is Snapchat and how does it work? In basic terms, Snapchat is a messaging platform that allows a user to send a friend images, videos, or messages which are called Snaps. Unlike traditional messaging, the key distinction with Snapchat is that the communication disappears after it has been viewed.

All of the conventional features of social media platforms are there (when declarations are made publicly such as advertising) with regard to Snapchat, but wherein Instagram and Facebook become permanent, Snapchat is primarily swift and succinct messaging.

Additionally, there are the features of Stories, Lenses, Bitmojis, and Chat that ADD to a more fun platform - Snapchat promises to keep it engaging, interactive, and a more interesting space to communicate.

How Does Snapchat Work for Beginners?

If you're just starting off and asking yourself how does Snapchat work, here is an overview:

• Create an Account: You can register with an email address, phone number, and a birthday.
• Add Friends: You can look them up by username or sync your contacts.
• Send Snaps: Tap on the camera, take a photo or video, and send it off.
• Use Filters and Lenses: Swipe through your options to add fun effects.
• Post Stories: Stories allow you to post content for 24-hour visibility.
• Use Chat: You can use the chat function to send text, stickers, Bitmojis and even video conversation.

Now that you know how does Snapchat work, think of it as your private photosharing app which also allows you to play with augmented reality filters, have conversations, and track your friends.

What Is a Snap Score and How Do Snap Scores Work?

When you start using Snapchat, you will have a number next to your name and friends' names. This number is called a Snap Score. But, many users often ask, how do snap scores work and what does it actually mean?

Your Snap Score is a number generated by Snapchat, that is based on activity in the app. This includes:

1. The number of Snaps you send and receive.
2. The number of Stories you post.
3.  How frequently you use Snapchat.
4. Your interactions with friends.

There is no official formula, but there definitely appears to be a combination of several metrics based on user information

How to Increase Your Snap Score?

Now that you have a better understanding of snap scores, you’re probably wondering how to increase yours. Here are ways users in the USA commonly use to meet this deadline:

1. More Snaps: Ideally make it as many people as possible.
2.  Open the Snaps you receive: every snap counts!
3. Post Stories: Your story will count to your score.
4. Consistently send Snaps, not just text in Chat: It should always be a photo or video Snap.
5. Be active every day: Snapchat rewards you for doing things consistently.

If you would like to flex your Snap Score among your fellow USA users, the best way is to Snap, and post a Story daily.

How Does Snap Location Work?

Another feature is Snap Map. It begs the question, how does this Snap location work? When you open Snap Map, it will display your location on the map, as well as where your friends are (if they shared their location), it uses the GPS embedded in your phone.

So, let's summarize how Snap location works:

1. Ghost Mode: Your location is hidden.
2. Friends Only: Only friends can see you.
3. Update Trigger: Only updates while the app is live.

This creates a lot of privacy concerns in the U.S, and it is recommended users only enable location sharing to their trusted friends only.

How Does Live Location Work on Snapchat?

Live location allows you to share where you are in real-time with your friends for a certain amount of time, similar to the live tracking in Google Maps. Live location is different because it's not just an update, like Snap Map, where your location updates passively, it sends you real-time updates, even while the app is closed.

To use it:

• Open a chat with your friend.
• Tap on their profile.
• Select "Share My Live Location."

This is useful for safety, for example, when you are out at night or during long drives in the U.S.

Key Features That Make Snapchat Unique in the USA

Now that you know how Snapchat works, let’s talk about why it’s so popular in the USA:

• Privacy First: Messages disappear.
• Snap Streaks: Encourages daily engagement.
• Augmented Reality Lenses: Crazy popular with teens and content creators.
• Snap Originals and Discover Tab: Local U.S. news, shows and entertainment.
• Bitmoji Integration: Americans love using custom avatars.

So, what is Snapchat and how does it work in terms of social and entertainment purpose? It’s a creative blend of messaging, content and real-time updates created for modern mobile phone users.

How Do Snap Scores Work for Friendships?

Many users in the U.S. take Snap Scores seriously. Some users even judge how "close" you are to someone by your interaction history with your Snap Score.

If you and a friend are snapping each other frequently your friendship emoji could change. Keeping streaks can help raise your score. An increase of scores typically shows that someone has a more active social life.

So, a clear understanding of how do snap scores work is more than just numbers, it’s also social currency.

How Does It (Snap) Work for Businesses?

If you are a business in the United States and you are wondering what is Snapchat and how does it work for businesses, you are in the right place! Snapchat's ad formats (like Story Ads, Snap Ads, and filters) can help you reach a younger audience in the U.S. With over 100 million users in the United States, Snapchat presents an opportunity to reach those promoting fashion, food, tech, and entertainment.

Conclusion

Now that you have all the basics of what is Snapchat and how does it work, and what are Snap scores and how does Snap location work, you can confidently join the conversation! Whether you are using Snapchat to connect with friends across the United States, or proudly tracking your snap score, there is something for everyone on the platform. The next time someone asks you how does Snapchat work (and how does live location work on Snapchat) you will have all the answers!