Have you heard about Snapchat’s new update? We’re kidding. Of course, you have. The app upset hundreds of thousands of users when it rolled out its new design this month. Snapchat rearranged the format and it struck a nerve in teens, adults, and celebrities using the app. We think there’s a valuable lesson to learn here though.
Power in the Palm of Many Hands
When Social Spice first saw the Snapchat petition emerge, it had around 85,000 signatures until it swelled to 600,000. Now, the petition is filled with over 800,000 furious users (and growing by the second!) demanding access to the previous version and format. Nic Rumsey from Australia started the petition on Change.org and his goal is to get to 1,500,000 signatures. This number continues to grow and change as more digitally sign it. Users are even backing the petition with money and promoting it all over social media. The website sends you an email once you sign the petition encouraging you to share it across other social platforms and with your friends to increase awareness.
A Message Sent to Snapchat Directly
It didn’t take long for our team to discover the message one user sent to Snapchat via Twitter where they ask for retweets in exchange for the old layout. We came across the message from @isaacsvobodny who wrote, “The Snapchat update sucks. RT to save a life!”
The original message from the Twitter user said, “Hey Snapchat, this update is terrible. How many RT’s would it take for you to change it back?” They responded back within 11 minutes stating, “Though we have been receiving many complaints on the new layout, we understand that it just may take some getting used to. If it appears to be a general consensus that people want the old format back, we will take that into consideration. As far as retweets go, how does 50,000 sound?”
Clearly, Snapchat is fine with falling back on their promises because the tweet was retweeted over 1.4 million times. (We have proof, too! Just take a look at that number in green in the second photo.)
New Features and Hashtags to Appease the Angry
We thought it was almost comical how Snapchat released new, fun fonts on their app after the uproar from the update occurred. Were they trying to appease angry users with some new features? We think Snapchat could roll out as many fancy new features as they want, but users still won’t be satisfied until they get what they want. Social media users may not be aware of it, but they are selfish. They only want to see what is relevant to them and use apps that benefit them – key ingredients in marketing when developing successful apps, strategies, and campaigns to reach your targets.
In the meantime, people seem to be blowing off steam with new hashtags like #BringBackSnap. Search the hashtags on Twitter and find a plethora of angry tweets. Some users have mentioned they’re boycotting it, while others reluctantly continue to the use the app to maintain their Snapchat Streaks.
Social Movements that Pick Up Momentum
People are powerful with the world in the palm of their hands and can create their own marketing campaign or social movement within minutes. Social media gives people the power to communicate and reach a large amount of people within days, hours, and even minutes. Over 800,000 people are actively engaged in the status of Snapchat releasing their tight grip on the old update. Imagine the reach potential and exposure businesses have with a large portion of the world invested in social media.
What do you think the outcome of the petition will be? Are retweets enough to force Snapchat to revert to the 2017 layout? Let us know your thoughts!
Get in touch with us to discuss social media packages that can help grow your business and increase your exposure to the social-media-obsessed world. Call (805) 482-8312 to talk to our team now.
