Snapchat Topic Chats: Public Conversations Now Available

Snapchat Introduces Public Conversations with “Topic Chats”

Historically centered around private messaging, Snapchat is now venturing into public discourse with the introduction of a new feature called “Topic Chats.” This development allows users to engage in conversations centered around current events and diverse communities.

Maintaining User Privacy

User profiles will remain private to those who are not already connected as friends. This design choice aims to mitigate unwanted friend requests and direct messages, according to Snapchat.

While a user’s display name will be visible alongside their contributions, direct access to their profile from within a Topic Chat will be restricted. Snapchat confirmed to TechCrunch that display names are not searchable, unlike traditional usernames.

Safety and Moderation

To ensure a secure environment, Snapchat will employ LLM technology and other safety protocols to moderate Topic Chats. All messages are required to comply with the platform’s existing Community Guidelines.

Users have the ability to report any inappropriate content. Snapchat has stated it will enforce its policies through warnings and, if necessary, account blocking.

Discovering Shared Interests

The feature will also allow users to see which Topic Chats their friends are participating in. This functionality is intended to facilitate the discovery of common interests and encourage broader engagement.

Integration with Spotlight

Beyond text-based messages, Topic Chats will also showcase relevant Spotlight videos – Snapchat’s short-form video content, similar to TikTok.

Inspired by Community Interaction

Prior to this launch, public conversations on Snapchat were largely confined to comments on Spotlight videos. The company observed the vibrant public interactions within these comments and sought to provide a dedicated space for such discussions.

As stated in a company blog post, Snapchat users generate billions of Snaps daily, and the platform has noted a strong community interest in publicly commenting on trending topics and events.

Rollout and Access

The “Topic Chats” feature will initially be available to users in Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. It will be integrated into various sections of the app, including Chat shortcuts, search results, the Stories page, and Spotlight videos.

Users can join a chatroom by clicking a prominent yellow button labeled “Join the Chat” found on Stories or Spotlight content.

Message Retention

Snapchat has announced that messages exchanged within Topic Chats will be stored for a period of up to five years.