Snapchat is looking to lean into the rising trend of collaborative content with the launch of a new ‘Shared Stories’ option, which enables users to invite other Snapchatters to contribute to their Story with their own takes and insights. Based on the examples, when you create a Shared Story, you’ll be able to choose people who’ll be able to contribute with their own Snap additions.
These Stories will then be viewable by your connections and theirs, providing expanded exposure potential, while also enabling new types of collaboration within your Snap content.
Stories For Two
Snapchat explains:
“Shared Stories is a new iteration of Custom Stories, a product that previously allowed Snapchatters to create a Story and add friends to view and contribute. Now, with our new and improved Shared Stories, Snapchatters who’ve been added to the group can add their friends as well, making it easier for the whole soccer team, camp squad, or group of new coworkers to get in on the fun.”
This expanded potential could lead to more Snap Stories gaining bigger traction, fueling more creation and engagement in the app. Such has been a key trend on TikTok, where users are invited to not only consume the latest memes and trends but also contribute with their own takes. This sharing dynamic has been a key element of TikTok’s success, which is why Snap, Pinterest, Instagram, and others are all now looking for more ways to invite collaboration and contribution for their similar products.
Though Snap does note that this isn’t entirely new. Custom Stories enabled similar, though it was more limited by location, whereas Shared Stories will enable anyone to contribute, so long as they’re invited to the group. As with regular Snap content, Snaps sent to a shared Story delete after 24 hours. Talking about security, Snap will also notify users if they’ve joined a Shared Story with someone they’ve blocked.
“This gives Snapchatters the opportunity to leave the Shared Story, and ensures Snapchatters are always in complete control over who they share content with on our platform.”
The Wrap
It’s a smart addition by Snap, which could potentially lead to all-new sharing behaviors, with people adding others who add others, leading to longer streaks of Story contributions. For brands, it could also help facilitate influencer collaborations or enhanced community by inviting User Generated Content (UGC). There are definitely a lot of insights here, which could help greatly boost your Snap engagement.
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