Snapchat has introduced a new content discovery service called Discover, which allows media companies to show off small chunks of content on the photo messaging app.
The new service was announced on Tuesday, Jan. 27, via a blog post, with rumors of the service emerging late last year.
"Snapchat Discover is a new way to explore Stories from different editorial teams. It's the result of collaboration with world-class leaders in media to build a storytelling format that puts the narrative first. This is not social media," said the company. "Social media companies tell us what to read based on what's most recent or most popular. We see it differently. We count on editors and artists, not clicks and shares, to determine what's important."
Since the beginning of its offerings, Snapchat has been working with 10 media partners, including CNN, ESPN, National Geographic, Comedy Central and People. These companies will all refresh their content every 24 hours. The feature will also give media companies an opportunity to present themselves to a younger generation.
The new feature is a great move for Snapchat and allows the company to make its $10 billion valuation justified. Snapchat has successfully come up with a way to make money with advertising. The feature doesn't feel like any ads or services are being shoved down the user's throat; users can even completely ignore the feature altogether, with it only being activated if the user swipes over to it.
In fact, if a user didn't know that the feature existed, it would be easy for them to never see it. Users have to actively want to go to the new feature for it to be shown on the display.
Snapchat's partners in the service have expressed a lot of interest in the service. Of course, it will also be great for Snapchat, whose investors are wanting the service to start producing more money. The service began this process of making more money last year by featuring ads as a story.
"Discover is new, but familiar. That's because Stories are at the core -- there's a beginning, middle, and end so that editors can put everything in order. Every edition is refreshed after 24 hours -- because what's news today is history tomorrow," continued Snapchat in its blog post. "Discover is fun and easy to use. Tap to open an edition, swipe left to browse Snaps, or swipe up on a Snap for more. Each channel brings you something unique -- a wonderful daily surprise!"
