Snapchat's redesign test appears to have stalled after power users didn't like the "simplified" layout.
According to Snapchat's Q1 investor letter published on April 29, the new version of Snapchat was aimed at "making it easier for new and casual users to navigate." TechCrunch reports that the revamped app removes the Snap Map and Stories tabs. The proposed new three-tab navigation bar focuses on chat, camera, and Spotlight (Snapchat's answer to TikTok). The report did not disclose the duration or scope of the test.
At least for now, Snapchat appears to be reconsidering. "Our most engaged Snapch users have consistently preferred the five-tab layout," the company said in the same investor letter. While not explicitly saying it would end testing the simplified version, Snapchat said it has "begun testing a refined five-tab interface that combines the best of both approaches." Engadget reached out to Snap for comment on whether the layout is no longer available to users. We will update this article when we hear back.
Snap has had a pretty rough track record when it comes to design changes. In 2017, it tried to reorient its flagship app, separating friend-related posts from media content. But the following year, Snapchat lost 3 million daily users over a three-month period. At the time, the Android app was also experiencing a number of issues that were widely reported.
According to its latest earnings report, Snap lost 1 million North American users in the first quarter, dropping to 99 million from 100 million in the previous quarter. But that didn't stop the Snapchat community from growing globally to 460 million in the first quarter, with daily active users up by 7 million quarter-over-quarter.