Snapchat scraps ‘simple’ redesign as it loses users in North America

The Verge - Apr 29th, 2025
Open on The Verge

Snap has decided to pull back from its planned simplification of Snapchat's design after reporting a loss of 1 million users in North America in Q1 2025. Initially, the company tested a 'Simple Snapchat' layout that reduced the app's navigation to three tabs. However, feedback indicated a preference for the traditional five-tab setup, prompting Snap to refine rather than simplify its design. The updated layout will feature more Stories and an easily accessible Spotlight tab.

Despite the user decline in North America, Snap's revenue increased by 14% year-over-year, reaching $1.36 billion, driven by advertising and Snapchat Plus subscriptions. Global daily active users grew to 460 million, demonstrating stronger performance outside North America. This development highlights the delicate balance Snap must maintain between innovation and user satisfaction, especially in a competitive social media landscape.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and clear account of Snapchat's recent strategic decisions regarding its app redesign, supported by data on user engagement and revenue. It effectively communicates the company's rationale and current outcomes, making it accessible to readers with an interest in technology and business news. However, the story lacks balance and depth, as it primarily presents Snapchat's perspective without incorporating diverse viewpoints or independent analysis. The reliance on company-provided information without additional corroboration from external sources affects the overall reliability of the report. While the article addresses topics of public interest, its impact is limited by the absence of controversial elements or broader societal implications. Greater transparency and inclusion of varied perspectives could enhance the article's quality and engagement potential.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story provides a detailed account of Snapchat's decision to reverse its redesign plans, citing specific figures such as the loss of 1 million users in North America and the drop from 100 million to 99 million daily active users. These claims appear to be consistent with available data. However, the article lacks specificity regarding the extent of the redesign rollout and does not provide details on where it was tested, which are important for verifying the full impact of the changes. Additionally, while the article mentions user frustration as a reason for the redesign reversal, it does not provide concrete evidence or user testimonials to substantiate this claim.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents Snapchat's perspective, focusing on the company's strategic decisions and the rationale behind them. It quotes a letter to investors, which could introduce bias by presenting the company's viewpoint without counterbalancing perspectives, such as user feedback or expert opinions on the redesign's impact. There is a lack of voices from users or independent analysts that could provide a more rounded view of the situation. This omission results in an imbalanced presentation that leans heavily towards Snapchat's narrative.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and concise, with a logical flow that makes it easy to follow the narrative of Snapchat's redesign decisions. The structure is straightforward, leading readers through the company's initial plans, the reasons for reversing those plans, and the current state of user engagement and revenue. The language is neutral and accessible, avoiding technical jargon that could confuse readers. However, the lack of detailed explanations about certain aspects, such as the testing process, slightly detracts from full comprehension.

5
Source quality

The story relies on information from Snapchat's earnings report and a letter to investors, which are primary sources from the company itself. While these sources are authoritative concerning the company's actions and intentions, they may not provide an unbiased perspective. The absence of independent sources or expert commentary limits the depth of the analysis and the ability to critically assess the company's claims. The reliance on company-provided information without additional corroboration from external sources affects the overall reliability of the report.

6
Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose the methodology behind the claims, such as how user feedback was collected or analyzed to influence the redesign decisions. While it mentions a letter to investors, it does not provide direct quotes or detailed excerpts that would allow readers to assess the context and basis of the claims. The lack of transparency regarding the testing process and geographic scope of the redesign rollout further obscures the full picture. Greater disclosure of these elements would enhance the article's transparency.

Sources

  1. https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/29/snapchat-abandons-plans-for-a-simplified-version-of-its-app/
  2. https://www.dooleysocial.studio/blog/snapchats-redesign-what-to-watch-for-headed-into-2025
  3. https://www.change.org/p/snap-inc-remove-the-new-snapchat-update
  4. https://dailyrindblog.com/snapchat-best-practices-2025/
  5. https://www.businessinsider.com/snapchat-publishers-concerns-app-redesign-single-feed-2024-9