Why are Snapchat notifications silent?
Have you ever wondered why Snapchat notifications are silent by default? While most apps make a loud alert sound or vibrate when you receive a message, Snapchat’s notifications just quietly appear on your lock screen. This unique notification behavior has become a defining feature of the popular social media app. But why did Snapchat decide to buck the trend and implement silent notifications? In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating history behind Snapchat’s silent notifications and the clever psychology that motivates their discretion.
History of Snapchat
Snapchat was initially created in 2011 by Stanford University students Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown as a photo messaging app called “Picaboo” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapchat). The original purpose was to allow users to send photos that would disappear after being viewed. This provided a way to share fun, temporary photos without them being saved permanently as they would on other platforms.
According to The Street, Snapchat was inspired by the idea of ephemeral content that more closely mimicked real-life interactions (https://www.thestreet.com/technology/history-of-snapchat). The disappearing photos gave users the freedom to be more casual, funny, and in-the-moment without worrying about consequences. This set Snapchat apart from the permanence and pressure of platforms like Facebook.
After launch, Snapchat quickly caught on as a way for users to communicate visually and authentically. By 2012, it had become hugely popular among young people as a way to send funny, casual, and self-deleting photos and videos. Its explosive growth demonstrated the appeal of impermanent sharing.
Importance of Discreet Notifications
Many users, especially younger demographics, prefer subtle or discreet notifications for certain apps. This allows them to receive alerts without drawing unwanted attention in work, school, or social settings (source). For example, someone may want to get a notification from a dating app without their companions noticing. Apps like Snapchat that allow for private conversations recognize this user need for discretion.
Discreet notifications give users more control over their privacy. The subtle vibration or visual cue allows them to be aware of the alert, while keeping the contents private if they choose not to reveal their phone screen. This caters to user preferences for transparency about notifications coupled with control over privacy (source).
Technical Reasons for Silent Notifications
The main technical reason Snapchat notifications are silent by default is that the sound for push notifications is controlled by the app, not the device. When an app like Snapchat sends a push notification to a user’s device, the app specifies whether the notification should make a sound or not. The device operating system (like iOS or Android) honors this setting from the app and shows the notification silently if requested.
The Snapchat app has chosen to make notifications silent by default when installed. This gives Snapchat control over the user experience, rather than letting device settings determine notification sounds. It allows Snapchat to provide a uniform experience across devices and versions of iOS/Android. As OneSignal documentation explains, apps can choose to play custom branded notification sounds if desired.
In summary, the technical ability for apps to override device settings and specify silent notifications is why Snapchat notifications arrive quietly. Snapchat has deliberately configured this behavior upon installation to control the notification experience.
Advantages of Silent Notifications
Silent notifications offer many benefits to users. One key advantage is they avoid disturbing people at inconvenient times. Silent notifications will not make sounds or pop up banners that interrupt someone during a meeting, while sleeping, or in other situations where an audible alert would be disruptive. This allows users to stay focused without constant distractions from their devices (source: https://medium.com/macoclock/the-unexpected-benefits-of-using-do-not-disturb-on-my-iphone-2504c587aee5).
Another major advantage of silent notifications is increased privacy and discretion. With audible alerts disabled, private messages and notifications will not be overheard or seen by others around the user. This prevents potentially embarrassing or confidential information from being accidentally shared publicly. Silent notifications give users more control over keeping their activities private (source: https://medium.com/@gauravkeswani/what-are-silent-push-notifications-and-why-should-you-care-about-them-eb1979883e72).
Disadvantages of Silent Notifications
While silent notifications can help reduce distractions, they also come with some drawbacks users should be aware of. One of the main disadvantages is the potential to miss urgent messages. Since silent notifications don’t make any sounds or vibrate the device, users may overlook time-sensitive notifications about breaking news, emergency alerts, or messages from loved ones needing immediate assistance. This could result in missing important information or failing to respond promptly in crucial situations. As noted in an article on bobcares.com, “Silent push notifications can not wake android devices from sleep state which might cause users to miss urgent updates” (https://bobcares.com/blog/silent-push-notification/). Users who want to avoid missing urgent notifications may need to enable sounds, vibrations, or visual alerts for select apps even when silence mode is activated.
User Customization Options
Snapchat allows users to customize their notification settings based on their preferences. Users can control whether they receive notifications at all, and can also determine if those notifications are silent or if they play a sound.
On iOS devices, users can go to their profile icon, tap the settings icon, select “Notifications”, and then choose “Manage Story Notifications.” From here, they can toggle notifications on or off for individual friends or groups. They can also tap the gear icon to select if notifications are silent, play a default sound, or play a custom sound that they select.
On Android, users access notification settings by tapping the settings icon in their profile, selecting “Notifications”, and toggling “Enable Notifications” on or off. They can also tap individual friends or groups to customize if notifications are silent or if they play a sound for those specific contacts.
Overall, Snapchat provides granular control over notifications to match users’ preferences. With custom sounds and toggles for individual friends, users can craft an experience unique to them. For those wanting silent notifications, that option is easily accessible in the settings on both major mobile platforms.
Business Strategy Behind Default Settings
Snapchat’s decision to have silent notifications by default is a strategic part of their business model and aims to encourage user engagement and addiction. As noted in the Think Insights article (Snapchat Business Model), Snapchat’s key activities focus on growing and engaging their user base. Having silent notifications helps achieve this in a couple key ways:
First, silent notifications encourage more frequent app opens and checks. With no audible alerts, users have to manually open Snapchat to check for new snaps and messages. This drives increased app usage and provides more opportunities for users to create content and interact. As the Four Week MBA article (The Snapchat Business Model) notes, Snapchat’s model relies on high engagement and addiction.
Second, silent notifications differentiate Snapchat from other social platforms like Facebook that have loud, audible alerts. Snapchat aims to be an intimate messaging app, not a broadcast platform. Silent notifications make Snapchat conversations feel more private and discreet compared to other apps. This helps Snapchat stand out and carve out a unique positioning.
Recent Changes and Updates
In 2022, Snapchat rolled out some new notification options and customizations for users. One of the biggest changes was the ability to select different notification sounds for individual friends or groups on Android devices. This allows users to assign unique sounds to their closest friends for easy identification without having to look at the phone screen. Snapchat noted this was a frequently requested feature from users.
Snapchat also launched notifications settings called “Priority” and “See First.” With Priority notifications, users can pin specific friends to the top of their feed so they don’t miss chats from their closest friends. The See First setting similarly prioritizes notifications from selected friends when the app is opened. These settings give users more control over their notifications from friends.
Additionally, Snapchat introduced a new notification called “Story Spotlight.” This highlights when friends post to their stories, allowing users to stay updated on new content from their friends. Users can toggle this setting on or off as desired.
Overall, Snapchat has focused on giving users more granular controls over notifications from both the app in general and specific friends. The company seems responsive to user feedback by rolling out customized sounds, priority levels, and options to mute distractions when needed. These changes reflect Snapchat’s recognition that notifications are a key part of the user experience.
Conclusion
In summary, Snapchat’s notifications are silent by default for several key reasons. The app was originally designed around being discreet, given its auto-deleting messages. Silent notifications align with that mission of privacy and ephemerality. Additionally, Snapchat caters to a younger demographic that often uses the app in school or other settings where loud notifications would be disruptive. While users can opt to turn on sound, Snapchat seems unlikely to change the default silent setting anytime soon. It’s a strategic decision to protect their core user base.
Going forward, Snapchat may continue tinkering with notification options as the app evolves. They have already introduced some configurable settings to accommodate user preferences. However, the default experience will likely remain centered around silent, private notifications that embody Snapchat’s identity. As long as that remains true to their core users, Snapchat notifications are likely to stay mute.