Snapchat's History: Evolution Of Snapchat And Timeline (2024)
Ever wonder what Snapchat looked like when it first launched in a dorm room back in 2011?
As you've probably heard, once something is on the internet, it's on the internet forever.
With a bit of digging, we found what the original Snapchat website looked like, what the app first looked like, and even the very first people to ever leave an app store review for the now billion dollar tech giant.
This post will outline Snapchat's history and will give you a timeline of important events throughout the company's history.
Also, you'll get an exclusive look at what Snapchat's app and website initially looked like when the company first launched in 2011.
What Snapchat.com's website currently looks like in 2021:
What Snapchat.com's website originally looked like in 2011:
What Snapchat looks like in the App store today, in 2021:
What Snapchat first looked like in the App Store in 2011 when it was first released:
The 3 first app store reviews that Snapchat ever received (in 2011):
Who created Snapchat?
Evan Spiegel
Bobby Murphy
Reggie Brown
Who was the first person to use Snapchat?
The first person to use Snapchat besides the creators of the app is not known at this time.
However, the first person to leave a review in the app store appears to be 'Clabie1869' (as seen in the image above).
Here's Snapchat's first ever blog post (announcing what is to come for the app in the future), written by CEO and founding member of Snap, Evan Spiegel:
What the Snapchat app looked like when it was first released to the public in the spring of 2011:
History Of Snapchat:
Snapchat Timeline From 2011 to 2024
July 2011
When did Snapchat start?
Snapchat is released in the App Store in the living room of Evan Spiegel's father's home in July 2011.
However, Snapchat was originally named “Picaboo” until the founders were sent a cease-and-desist from another company who had already trademarked the Picaboo name.
October 29, 2012
Snapchat launches their app in the Android Store
October 2013
Snapchat launches 'Stories'
November 2013
Around two years after Snapchat launched, Mark Zuckerberg attempted to buy Snapchat for 3 billion dollars in November of 2013.. but his offer was refused.
August 2014
Snapchat first introduced Geofilters to the public in August 2014.
End of August of 2014
40% of adults in the United States were using Snapchat on a daily basis.. and the rest is history.
January 2015
When did snapchat filters come out?
Snapchat introduces 'Discover' and 'Lenses' (also known as filters) in January 2015.
End of January 2015
Snapchat hits around 75 million users
March 29, 2016
When did snapchat streaks come out?
Snapstreaks came out on March 29, 2016, in Snapchat's 'Chat 2.0' app update.
Before May of 2016
Google offers to acquire Snapchat for a reported 30 billion dollars in May of 2016.. but is rejected.
June 2016
Snapchat hits 150 million daily active users
July 2016
Snapchat introduces 'Memories' and 'Bitmojis'
August 2016
Instagram launches 'Stories'
September 2016
Snapchat rebrands to 'Snap Inc.', parent company to Snapchat and Spectacles
March 2nd, 2017
Snap Inc. goes public
November 2017
Snapchat changes the Stories feed to an algorithmic feed
April 2018
Snapchat reverts back to reverse-chronological Stories feed after harsh backlash.
April 4, 2019
Snapchat hosts the first ever Snap Partner Summit
Snap announces Snap Originals
November 20, 2020
Snap launches ‘Spotlight’, the company’s new TikTok clone
Snap announces new revenue sharing program that pays out $1 million per day to creators on the platform
June 29, 2022
Snap launches Snapchat+ (a new subscription that starts at $3.99/month)
January 31, 2023
Snapchat+ Passes 2 Million Subscribers
February 10, 2023
Snapchat shuts down the ability to run sponsored Filters
February 16, 2023
Snapchat reaches 750 million monthly active users
February 27, 2023
Snap launches ‘My AI’ (a new AI chatbot that adds OpenAI’s ChatGPT inside Snapchat)
March 31, 2023
Snapchat shuts down the ability to run On-Demand Geofilters