Snapchat is diving into its nostalgic bag of tricks with a slew of new features that seem aimed at stirring up a bit of the past for today’s social media aficionados. Among these, the company is making a play for the hearts of those who fondly remember Bitstrips, the once viral comic-strip creator that saw its heyday on Facebook around 2013.
In a move that might seem like a bid to delight those who pine for simpler times—or perhaps just the Kardashians—Snapchat announced, “Our community has long loved Bitmoji Stories as a way to stay connected with fun, comic-strip style stories. Now, we’re bringing brand-new episodes to Snapchatters featuring our 3D Bitmoji avatar for even more personalized content starring you and your friends.”
These digital doppelgangers aren’t the only throwback Snapchat is banking on. The app also introduced lyric stickers, presumably to enhance its music engagement as competitors like Instagram beef up similar offerings, and the uncertain future of TikTok in the U.S. looms large.
Snapchat isn’t stopping there. For those willing to pay for Snapchat+, the service is ushering in an unmistakably retro feature: custom ringtones. “Snapchat+ subscribers can now pick out their very own ringtone for each of their friends or group chats. With custom ringtones, you can tell who’s giving you a call without even looking at your phone!” This option harkens back to the early 2000s, a time when custom ringtones could often define a person’s social and musical persona, perhaps much like choosing a filter for your selfie today.
Moreover, in a gesture that might just redefine media consumption for millions—or at least for those deeply invested in reviewing their own Snaps—Snapchat+ users will soon enjoy the privilege to rewatch a Snap they’ve sent. “Soon, Snapchat+ subscribers can replay their own Snap for up to 5 minutes after sending.”
As these updates roll out, they seem poised to usher in a new era of engagement and nostalgia, wrapped in a modern package. Small business owners and solopreneurs could find the humor—or utility—in revisiting these old-school trends reimagined for today’s social strategies. Only time will tell if these features will indeed be revolutionary, or just another whimsical nod to the past, perfect for a casual mention on a Kardashian’s story.
