Snapchat’s Biggest Redesign in Years Brings Simplicity and Full-Screen Video

Snapchat is undergoing a major transformation with its biggest redesign in years, streamlining its interface from five tabs to three, bringing friends’ messages and Stories closer together, and introducing a unified feed of full-screen videos. Dubbed “Simple Snapchat,” this overhaul was unveiled at Snap’s annual Partner Summit in Los Angeles, signaling a fresh approach to how users interact with the app.

The Simplified Snapchat Experience

Previously, Snapchat’s interface was divided into five distinct tabs: Snap Map, private chats, camera, Stories, and Spotlight (Snap’s answer to TikTok and Instagram Reels). The new design trims it down to just three:

1. Messages & Stories Tab – Merges chats and Stories from friends and creators.

2. Camera Tab – Focuses on Snap’s core feature, allowing users to quickly capture and share moments.

3. For You Feed – A TikTok-style feed of full-screen videos from both creators and publishers.

With these changes, Snap aims to simplify content discovery and put a renewed focus on video consumption, bringing it more in line with competitors like TikTok and Instagram.

Bringing Stories and Chats Closer

In Simple Snapchat, Stories from friends and the creators you follow will now be housed in the same tab as your conversations. This makes it easier to transition from chatting with friends to viewing their Stories without jumping between sections. The Snap Map, which was previously its own tab, will also be integrated into this section, allowing users to see where their friends are on the map without leaving the messaging tab.

According to Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, this redesign “brings Stories closer to conversations, simplifies content discovery, and brings people straight into our camera to express themselves.” The company hopes that by merging these key features, it will streamline the user experience and make it easier for users to stay engaged with the people and content that matter most to them.

A Unified Feed for Video Creators

To the right of the camera is the For You feed, a new unified tab that merges content from Snap’s Spotlight feature with videos from media publishers like The Wall Street Journal and The Daily Mail. This tab offers a continuous feed of full-screen vertical videos, much like TikTok’s addictive format.

This shift reflects Snap’s growing emphasis on video content, a strategy that has been increasingly important for its creators and advertisers. By making it easier for users to discover new videos and creators, Snapchat hopes to drive more engagement and give creators better opportunities to monetize their content.

A Slow Rollout to Ensure Success

With 850 million active users worldwide, Snap is being careful with the rollout of Simple Snapchat. Spiegel explained that the company will take a slow approach to introducing the new design, ensuring they can understand how it impacts user behavior and content dynamics. This measured launch strategy will help Snap maintain its delicate balance of content while optimizing the app for both users and advertisers.

What This Means for Creators

The redesigned Snapchat could be a boon for content creators. Spiegel emphasized that the new layout will make it easier for creators to grow their audience and monetize through Snap’s revenue share program. Short-form video content, which has been instrumental in growing creators’ followings, will now be more seamlessly integrated into the app’s layout, allowing for better visibility and monetization opportunities.

“We believe this app layout will make it easier for creators to monetize their content,” said Spiegel. With over 1 billion pieces of content shared on Snapchat every month, the platform is positioning itself as a serious player in the short-form video space.

Final Thoughts

Simple Snapchat is more than just a redesign—it’s a strategic shift for the app as it seeks to reclaim its place in the competitive social media landscape. By simplifying its interface and prioritizing video content, Snap is hoping to make the app more accessible and engaging for both users and creators. With Stories, chats, and a full-screen video feed all in one place, Snapchat is poised to offer a fresh, streamlined experience that appeals to its millions of users.