Islamabad, 1 May, 2025: Snapchat Scraps its minimalist app redesign after just seven months of trials, reversing course following critical user feedback and disappointing adoption rates.
The announcement was part of Snap Inc.’s Q1 2025 earnings disclosure, which also highlighted increased revenue and a focus on integrating advanced AI technologies later this year.
The redesigned interface, intended to streamline user experience, removed two prominent features Snap Map and Stories and condensed the platform into three core sections: Chat, Camera, and Spotlight.
However, long-time users found the transition disorienting, as many relied on the eliminated tabs for daily interaction and content discovery.
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Snap Chief Executive Evan Spiegel admitted the attempt to simplify had fallen short, noting that many loyal users found the navigation more cumbersome.
During an investor briefing, Spiegel explained that the three-tab approach made key functionalities harder to access, especially for those familiar with the full version of the app.
Responding to feedback, Snap is now trialling a new five-tab interface that aims to strike a balance between innovation and familiarity.
This revamped format reintroduces the Snap Map while enhancing the visibility of Spotlight Snapchat’s video feature competing with TikTok.
The update also retains the tiled design that encourages easier content discovery.
Snapchat Scraps the earlier minimal layout with an eye toward regaining traction among its most engaged audience base.
The company confirmed that it is learning from the experiment and pivoting to a more comprehensive structure that accommodates varied user preferences.
While the platform saw global growth, with daily active users reaching 460 million a year-on-year rise of 38 million it experienced a slight decline in North America.
The number of daily users in the region dropped by one million, falling to 99 million during Q1 2025.
Despite the dip, Snap posted strong financial results. Quarterly revenue climbed to $1.36 billion, marking a 14% increase compared to last year.
The growth was attributed to expanding Snapchat+ subscriptions and enhanced ad performance.
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Snap also revealed that usage of its My AI feature in the United States surged by over 55% in the past year.
Further updates in artificial intelligence and augmented reality tools are expected before the end of 2025, reinforcing the company’s commitment to evolving user engagement through emerging technologies.
