Snapchat announced on Wednesday that its Snap Map feature has surpassed 400 million monthly active users, marking a significant milestone for one of the app’s cornerstone products.
Originally launched in 2017, Snap Map was designed to allow users to share their location with friends and view public snaps from around the globe. Since its debut, the feature has grown in scope considerably, transforming into a popular tool for discovering local hotspots, activities, and events.
The success of Snap Map is particularly significant for Snapchat, distinguishing the app from major social media rivals such as Instagram and TikTok, neither of which offer equivalent real-time location-based discovery features. Meta-owned Instagram, in recognition of Snap Map’s popularity, has reportedly been developing its own similar feature called “Friend Map,” which will allow users to track their friends’ locations live.
In a statement, Ceci Mourkogiannis, Snapchat’s Vice President of Product, highlighted Snap Map’s influence, calling it “one of the most widely used mobile maps globally,” and expressed excitement around the feature’s growing user base. She noted that the platform helps hundreds of millions of users “connect with friends, explore favorite places, and discover ongoing events,” fostering increased global connectivity and community engagement.
Snapchat’s commitment to expanding Snap Map’s offerings has also included several new features over time. Last year, the company introduced “Footsteps,” allowing users to visualize their personal travel histories and track the places they’ve visited. Additionally, Snap rolled out “Promoted Places,” giving businesses the opportunity to showcase their locations directly on the map and enabling users to easily discover commercial hotspots and events nearby.
