When Did Snapchat Come Out?

Snapchat, a popular social media platform, was thought up in April 2011 by Stanford University students Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown.

The app, initially launched as “Picaboo” in July 2011, was exclusive to iOS users and aimed to provide a form of communication where messages, particularly photos, would disappear after a short time.

Following a legal dispute over its name, it was rebranded as Snapchat and relaunched on iOS in September 2011.

The Android version was released in November 2012, facilitating the app’s rapid growth. Snapchat’s unique messaging feature and its innovative additions like Stories, Geofilters, and Lenses have significantly influenced digital communication practices.

The Idea and Inception Of Snapchat

The idea of Snapchat was born in April 2011 when Stanford University students Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown decided to create an app where messages, specifically photos, would disappear after a short period of time.

The idea came from Brown who wanted an app that would delete photos after they were sent. The motive was to facilitate a form of communication that was more spontaneous and natural, allowing users to share moments without worrying about leaving a digital footprint.

The Initial Release

Snapchat was initially launched under the name “Picaboo” in July 2011. It was exclusive to iOS users and didn’t gain much traction initially.

The application got rebranded as Snapchat later that year in September, after a legal dispute with another company that had the same name.

After the rebranding, Snapchat was relaunched on the iOS platform.

Expansion to Android and Growth

Snapchat made its way to Android devices in November 2012, which significantly expanded its potential user base.

The app quickly gained popularity, particularly among teenagers and young adults, due to its unique ephemeral messaging feature.

By the end of 2012, users were sending over 20 million snaps a day.

Innovative Features and Continued Success

Snapchat has continued to innovate by adding new features like Stories in October 2013, a feature that allows users to post snaps that can be viewed by their friends for 24 hours.

This was followed by the introduction of Geofilters in July 2014, Lenses in September 2015, and many other features that have continued to engage users and drive Snapchat’s growth.

As of today, Snapchat is used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide and stands as one of the most influential social media platforms.

The concept of ephemeral messaging that Snapchat introduced has since been adopted by many other social media platforms, a testament to the app’s significant impact on the world of digital communication.

Friction Between The Founders

The co-founding of Snapchat was not without its share of controversy.

Reggie Brown, who initially proposed the idea of an app for sharing disappearing photos, was embroiled in a legal dispute with the other co-founders, Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy. Brown claimed that he was ousted from the company without any compensation for his contributions.

After being removed from the company, Brown filed a lawsuit in February 2013 against Spiegel and Murphy for breach of implied contract.

He demanded a one-third stake in the company, citing that he was a chief contributor to the initial concept of Snapchat.

After a lengthy legal battle, the dispute was finally settled in September 2014, with Brown reportedly receiving $157.5 million, though the company did not publicly disclose the exact amount.

FAQs About Snapchat’s Launch:

1. Who were the original founders of Snapchat? Snapchat was originally founded by Stanford University students Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown in 2011.
2. When was Snapchat first launched? Snapchat was initially launched under the name “Picaboo” in July 2011. It was later rebranded as Snapchat and relaunched in September 2011.
3. What was the original idea behind Snapchat? The original idea behind Snapchat was to create an app where messages, particularly photos, would disappear after being viewed. This concept was intended to facilitate more spontaneous and natural communication without the concern of a permanent digital footprint.
4. When was Snapchat made available for Android users? Snapchat was released for Android devices in November 2012.
5. What is the controversy surrounding Reggie Brown’s involvement in Snapchat? Reggie Brown claimed to have proposed the initial idea of Snapchat. However, he was allegedly forced out of the company without any compensation. In February 2013, Brown filed a lawsuit against Spiegel and Murphy for breach of implied contract, demanding a one-third stake in the company. The lawsuit was settled in September 2014, reportedly awarding Brown $157.5 million.
6. What are some key features that have driven Snapchat’s growth? Snapchat introduced several innovative features like Stories in 2013, Geofilters in 2014, and Lenses in 2015. These features, along with its unique ephemeral messaging concept, have contributed significantly to Snapchat’s popularity and growth.
7. Has Snapchat influenced other social media platforms? Yes, Snapchat’s concept of ephemeral messaging and features like Stories have been adopted by several other social media platforms, indicating Snapchat’s significant impact on digital communication practices.