Snapchat vs Instagram: How Teenagers Perceive These Platforms in 2017

When evaluating the use of Snapchat and Instagram among teenagers in 2017, it's crucial to understand that these platforms, despite their visual-centric natures, are very distinct products. People who haven't actively used these platforms often overestimate the similarities between the two, but teenage users clearly differentiate the two based on their unique features and usage patterns.

Instagram: Visual Showcase of Life

Instagram is a visual exhibit of one's life. The images posted on this platform are meant to last forever and are showcased to everyone in your friend circle. The likes you receive serve as a neon sign for your social standing and your sense of fashion. This creates a significant incentive for users to carefully curate their content, aiming to present a positive image or at the very least to avoid giving off a negative one.

The extensive process of photo-sharing—choosing the picture, making edits, applying filters, inventing a clever caption, and posting at a specific time—reflects the effort users put into portraying their lives in the best possible light. Additionally, the rise of finstas (fake Instagram accounts) further underscores this reality, as many teens prefer to keep their personal and more curated images separate from their social media feeds.

Snapchat: Part Messaging, Part Better Twitter

Snapchat, in its early days, was a photo-messaging app where users could capture and send funny, interesting, or nostalgic images with accompanying text. Over time, the app added drawing tools, selfie filters, and a Chat feature, providing a more intimate and fun way to communicate. The app is often used as an alternative or supplement to SMS and iMessage.

In 2013, Snapchat introduced Stories, a feature that allowed users to share a funny, clever, or timely image or message with their friends. This transformation turned Snapchat into a social media platform. However, unlike traditional social media like Twitter, Story posts are informal, ephemeral, and organized chronologically within one's friend circles. These posts disappear after 24 hours, ensuring a more private and less public environment.

Primary Competitors for Attention, Not Function

Snapchat and Instagram primarily compete for attention rather than specific functions. While Instagram has been copying some Snapchat features such as Instagram Stories and Direct Messages, Snapchat’s unique position remains strong. Instagram Stories, though present, is used infrequently and mainly by users who do not have a Snapchat account. This indicates that both platforms serve distinct niches within the realm of social media.

Key Observations from Teen Social Media Usage

Further evidence of teenagers’ primary social media usage preferences is evident from studies. According to a Pew Research Center report, teens mainly use Snapchat as their primary social platform in 2017. This underscores the importance of understanding the distinct usage patterns and preferences of teenagers in this period.

Overall, while Snapchat and Instagram both cater to the growing online attention of teens, they serve different needs and attract different user segments. Understanding these differences is key for marketers and content creators looking to target this demographic effectively.