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IA.md

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brand Snapchat
tagline Life's more fun when you live in the moment
category Social & Communication
website https://snapchat.com

Information Architecture — Snapchat

Overview

Snapchat is an ephemeral-first multimedia messaging platform centered on camera-driven communication, AR experiences, and short-form content. The IA revolves around the camera as the home screen, with horizontal swipe navigation to access conversations, stories, Snap Map, and Spotlight. Every surface is designed for speed — capture, augment, share, and move on.

Site Map

Snapchat
├── Camera (Home)
│   ├── AR Lenses
│   ├── Filters
│   ├── Sounds
│   └── Snap / Story / Spotlight Publish
├── Chat (swipe right)
│   ├── Friend Conversations
│   ├── Group Chats
│   ├── My AI (ChatGPT-powered assistant)
│   └── Snap Streaks
├── Stories (swipe left)
│   ├── Friends' Stories
│   ├── Subscriptions
│   ├── For You
│   └── Discover (publisher stories)
├── Snap Map (swipe down or tab)
│   ├── Friends' Locations
│   ├── Heatmap
│   ├── Places (businesses)
│   └── Our Story (location-based)
├── Spotlight (tab)
│   ├── Feed (algorithmic)
│   ├── Trending
│   └── Sounds / Topics
├── Profile
│   ├── Snapcode / Bitmoji
│   ├── Snap Score
│   ├── My Stories
│   ├── Memories (Snaps, Stories, Camera Roll)
│   ├── Spotlight submissions
│   └── Snapchat+ (subscription)
├── Settings
│   ├── Account
│   ├── Privacy
│   ├── Notifications
│   ├── Memories
│   ├── Connected Apps
│   └── Snapchat+ Management
└── Web/Marketing Site
    ├── Download
    ├── Advertising (Snap Ads Manager)
    ├── AR (Lens Studio)
    ├── Newsroom
    ├── Safety Center
    └── Careers

Navigation Model

  • Type: Camera-centric with tab bar + swipe gestures
  • Bottom Tab Bar: Snap Map, Chat, Camera (center), Stories, Spotlight
  • Gesture Nav: Swipe right → Chat; Swipe left → Stories; Swipe down → Map
  • Camera Controls: Shutter button (tap = photo, hold = video), lens carousel, flip camera
  • Profile Access: Top-left Bitmoji avatar → profile, settings, Snapchat+
  • Search: Top bar — universal search for friends, groups, Discover, Lenses, Places

Content Model

Entity Key Attributes Relationships
Snap media (photo/video), duration, lens/filter, caption, stickers, send-to list, viewed flag → Conversation, → Story, → Spotlight
Story snaps (ordered), owner, timestamp, expiry (24h), viewers list, screenshot count → Profile, → Discover
Chat Message text/media/sticker/Bitmoji, sender, timestamp, opened/saved status, streak count → Conversation
Spotlight Post video, caption, sounds, hashtags, likes, shares, view count → Profile, → Sound
Lens 3D model/effect, creator, category, lens link → Snap, → Lens Studio
Memory saved snap/story, date, location, searchable labels → Profile
Place name, address, coordinates, category, hours, Snaps from location → Snap Map
Snap Streak participants (2), current count, expiry timer → Chat

User Flows

Daily Story Posting

  1. Open app → lands on Camera → Select lens or filter
  2. Capture photo/video → Add text, stickers, drawings
  3. Tap "Story" button → Choose "My Story" / "Close Friends" / custom list
  4. Story appears in friends' Stories tab; auto-expires in 24 hours

Snap Map Exploration

  1. Tap Map tab or swipe down from Camera
  2. See friend Bitmojis on map (if sharing location)
  3. Tap Heatmap hotspot → View public "Our Story" snaps from that location
  4. Tap Place pin → See business info, hours, Snaps tagged there

Spotlight Content Discovery

  1. Tap Spotlight tab → Vertical scroll through short-form videos
  2. Double-tap to like → Swipe up for next → Tap sound badge to see other videos using same audio
  3. Tap creator profile → Follow or subscribe

URL / Route Structure

snapchat.com/                           # Marketing homepage
snapchat.com/download                   # App download
snapchat.com/add/{username}             # Add friend deeplink
snapchat.com/t/{snapcode}               # Snapcode redirect
snapchat.com/spotlight/{id}             # Spotlight video (web view)
snapchat.com/discover/{publisher}       # Publisher Discover page
story.snapchat.com/s/{storyId}          # Shared story link
lens.snapchat.com/                      # Lens explorer
ads.snapchat.com/                       # Ads Manager
ar.snap.com/                            # Lens Studio portal
map.snapchat.com/                       # Snap Map web view
newsroom.snap.com/                      # Press / Newsroom

Search & Filter

  • Universal Search Bar: Friends, groups, Discover publishers, Lenses, Places, sounds, Topics
  • Chat Search: Search within individual conversations
  • Memories Search: Auto-labeled by date, location, content type (AI-generated labels)
  • Spotlight: Browse by trending sounds, topics, hashtags
  • Snap Map: Search places by name, category, or address
  • Discover: Filtered by subscriptions and "For You" algorithmic recommendations

Responsive Behavior

Breakpoint Behavior
Mobile (primary) Full gesture-based navigation; camera is default home screen; single-pane with tab bar
Tablet Scaled phone layout; split view for Chat (list + thread)
Web (snapchat.com) Marketing site only — no full app experience; Spotlight videos viewable; Snap Map viewable
Desktop (web.snapchat.com) Limited chat + calling via web browser; no camera features
Lens Studio (Desktop) Full desktop AR creation tool; separate application

Access Control

Role Capabilities
Registered User Send Snaps, post Stories, chat, view Map, browse Spotlight, use Lenses
Snapchat+ Subscriber Custom app icons, Story rewatch indicator, priority replies, extended streaks, My AI customization
Creator (Spotlight) Post Spotlight videos, access analytics, receive Creator Fund payouts
Discover Publisher Publish editorial content on Discover, access Snap Publisher tools
Advertiser Access Ads Manager, create campaigns, view analytics, manage Snap Pixel
Minor (< 13) Account creation blocked; 13-17 have restricted settings (Family Center)
Ghost Mode User Location hidden on Snap Map; can still view friends' locations
Blocked User Cannot send Snaps/chats, view Stories, or see location of blocking user