Snapchat Update Causes Backlash
One of the world’s most popular phone apps, Snapchat, has risked losing its 187 million loyal users, ironically through an effort to gain new ones.
Snapchat released an update in February that overhauled its design, and its core users are not pleased. Over one million people have signed a petition demanding a return to the old design. The update features a new friends page containing direct messages, as well as your friends’ stories. However, stories about user friends are now separated from the stories created by publishers and celebrities.
You can count Chrissy Teigen as one of the millions of Snapchat users upset by the changes. She commented on the new disconnect between public figures and their audiences by saying, “I’m seeing the same comment so often. I liked that you guys felt like we were friends. I’m sad it doesn’t feel like that anymore. How many people have to hate an update for it to be reconsidered?” The corporation argued the update was necessary to expand its user base. However, it risks alienating its millions of active daily users in the process.
