One of the first signs that Facebook was copying Snapchat was in March 2016 when it bought MSQRD, an app that overlaps silly live filters on your selfies.
The app allows users to apply filters to their faces – similar to Snapchat Lens filters.
One of the first signs that Facebook was copying Snapchat was in March 2016 when it bought MSQRD, an app that overlaps silly live filters on your selfies. The app allows users to apply filters to their faces (pictured right) – similar to Snapchat Lens filters (pictured left)
April 2016 – QR Codes
In April last year, Facebook added QR codes to Messenger profiles.
Snapchat uses QR codes to allow users to add other users without having to search.
December 2016 – Location-based filters and in-app camera
Facebook has introduced custom location-based camera filters that overlay images and videos – similar to Snapchat “geo-filters”.
Users create “frames” on any design platform, submit them to Facebook and then close friends will have access to the creations.
That same month, a Messenger Camera was designed to make it easy to capture and share photos and videos without having to leave chats – a feature that already existed on Snapchat.
In December, Facebook introduced custom location-based camera filters (pictured right) that overlay images and videos – similar to Snapchat “geo-filters” (pictured left)
March 2017 – Stories
In March, Facebook introduced Facebook Stories along with two other new Snapchat-like features – Facebook Camera and Direct.
Facebook Stories tags decorative content horizontally through the news feed that disappears in 24 hours – just like Snapchat stories.
Facebook Stories (pictured right) hides decorative content horizontally above the News Feed that disappears in 24 hours – just like Snapchat Stories (pictured left)
The section in the app called “Direct” looks a lot like Snapchat streaming one-on-one group messaging.
The update encourages users to use Facebook’s webcam feature and also allows them to place their friends’ stories at the top of their News Feed.
In the same month, it also introduced Messenger Day, which allows users to share photos and videos with illustrated filters and stickers that disappear in 24 hours – as do Snapchat stories.
November 2017 – Series
In November, Facebook copied Snapchat by testing a new feature that encourages friends to send messages back and forth for days on end.
Like Snapstreaks on Snapchat, Facebook Messenger Streaks has emojis next to the name of any user who sends regular messages.
According to Facebook, this will encourage users to “continue your streak”.
In March, Facebook introduced Messenger Day, which lets users share photos and videos with illustrated filters and stickers that disappear in 24 hours – as do Snapchat stories.
January 2018 – Screenshots
In January, Instagram, a Facebook-owned app, began testing a feature that lets your followers know if you’ve taken an insidious screenshot of their Story.
The Snapchat-inspired feature is expected to be released soon on the image-sharing platform and is currently being tested in Japan.
May 2018 – Bitmoji
As with Filters, Snaps and Stories, Facebook has revealed that it is copying the Bitmoji feature used in Snapchat.
Inside the code of Facebook’s Android app, developers have found an unreleased feature that allows users to “create personalized, illustrated versions of themselves for use as stickers in Messenger and comments.”
November 2021 – Rage Shake
Instagram copied Snapchat with the release of a feature called “Rage Shake”.
Users just need to shake their phone with the Instagram app open and a small pop-up window appears allowing them to report an annoying technical issue.
It’s very similar to Snapchat’s “Shake to Report”, which already allows users to shake their smartphone to report an error.
