Snapchat is allowing all users to add links to their Snaps, along with a series of creative tools including the ability to change backdrops and voice sounds.
When composing a Snap, the user can now click on the new paperclip option, added to the right hand vertical tools list.
Once there, they can enter a URL to link to and ‘Attach to Snap’. When sent, the recipient will see a link option at the bottom of screen, prompting them to swipe up, taking them through to that link.
One of the key marketing issues with Snapchat, and with Instagram, has been the limitation on driving direct traffic, with no way to link people back to your owned properties.
Snapchat added ‘deep linking’ back in 2015 to make it easier for publishers, specifically, to drive direct traffic the other way, to their Snap content, while more recently they’ve added new discovery tools like Search and Snap Maps which can help boost brand exposure within the app.
This new ability to add links is a significant upgrade for businesses looking to make best use of the platform, giving users direct link to the relevant page, driving traffic.
Snapchat will also display a preview of the link in a pop-up next to the ‘Swipe Up’ arrow to help users avoid clicking through on questionable links.
In addition to links in Snaps, Snapchat’s also added new creative tools to hold user interest: Backdrops and Voice Filters.
Backdrops lets users identify objects within an image then add a colourful background to give it a new spin. Users can use a scissors icon to trace around a selected object to insert a backdrop.
Meanwhile, Voice Filters let users remix the sound of voices in Snaps. Previously, voice filters were only part of visual augmented reality lenses, but now users can tap the speaker icon at the bottom of the screen and select from a range of character voices.