A little over a year ago, Instagram uploaded a very identical feature of Snapchat – Instagram ‘Stories’. Although at the time it caused a lot of outrage, it has also been one of the speediest features to take off for Instagram in such a short space of time. However, with the introduction of Snapchat Specs and the millions of active users on Instagram, we really use want to know the answer to one question…

Snapchat or Instagram?

SNAPCHAT

With over 300+ million monthly active users, it would be difficult to ignore Snapchat even if you do not have the app on your phone. Millions of people everyday share their daily activities through the app, creating a buzz around a particular event. This has worked spectacularly for brands and celebrities alike by being more personal and being able to share the amount they want to without feeling as though their personal space is being invaded by paparazzi. DJ Khaled is one of many celebrities who gets a high response on Snapchat by giving advice, allowing people to see his daily activities [yes, including what he eats!], and his family life at home.

Over a million snaps are created every day allowing consumers to exchange snaps with their personal friends, individually, or to their whole followers list. However, although Snapchat was primarily considered a video sharing app, 65% of users upload their photos onto Snapchat too.

Roughly 75% of Snapchat users are female – this has been especially highlighted with beauty bloggers doing quick make up tutorials or giving out quick tips rather than having to create a whole YouTube video and taking the time to upload it. Within minutes, a brand or individual could have a video shared with their followers making them current and on trend as opposed to distant and unreachable – which we all know, is not a popular feat amongst fans!

INSTAGRAM

With an impressive 800 million monthly active users on Instagram, it’s safe to say it is a loved mobile app. Brands, individuals and small businesses have gained immense popularity by simply creating an aesthetically pleasing page. Images are taken, edited and filtered to perfection to create an idealistic world that one could only dream to live in. In reality, a lot of time and care is taken in considering the strategy of the photos. Unlike Snapchat, Instagram offers you a wide range of editing features and a selection of features to get the image ‘just right’ which enhances the artistic and image quality of each individual photo.

Through hashtags, you are able to follow, source images and find relevant content to you which boosts profiles and enables others to find you also [if you are not on a private profile].
Another feature that Instagram have added is the ability to run ads on Instagram similar to that of Facebook. Along with Snapchat, Instagram created ‘Instagram stories’ which enabled the user to create 60 seconds videos and share them directly to an individual follower or their whole following list.

Amid the controversy that Instagram had directly copied this feature from Snapchat, it still proved extremely popular with many individuals deciding to post solely on Instagram as opposed to Snapchat.

OptiCommerce did a short survey and 61% had chosen Instagram stories over Snapchat stories.

Both apps bring a lot to the table. Not only do these apps have a mass following but they are constantly evolving and bringing out new products and features to entice the consumers even more.

So, what’s next for 2018? We predict Instagram and Snapchat will have to bring some tangible products to the market in order to keep interests high and also to be fresh and ever-changing. With technology and the digital space moving so fast, it’s hard for a brand to keep momentum if they don’t change along with the times.

What is your favourite? We’d love to hear from you!