Snapchat Adds Event Planning Tools for Real-World Meetups
Snapchat introduced a feature called Snapchat Plans that lets users organize gatherings of up to 200 people directly within the app. Invites are sent via direct messages, and attendees can RSVP with going, can't go, or maybe options. The feature currently lacks location details, though the company says it is actively working on adding that capability.
The new Plans tool is accessible from a user's profile page. Events created are private, visible only to the organizer and those invited, although attendees can see the full list of guests. Invitations are sent through direct messages, with recipients choosing between attending, declining, or marking themselves as undecided.
Snap reports that over a third of its regular users already rely on group chats to coordinate offline activities, which motivated this dedicated feature. Curiously, the initial rollout omits any field for specifying a meeting location, despite the platform's established map functionality. The company has stated that location capabilities are currently in development, though whether it will connect to the existing map remains unspecified.
This feature could shift how younger demographics coordinate social activities, potentially reducing reliance on external messaging apps or calendar tools. By centralizing event planning within a private, invite-only space, Snapchat may deepen user engagement and encourage more frequent real-world interactions. However, the absence of location details might limit its immediate utility, possibly delaying widespread adoption until that capability is added. The move also highlights a broader trend of social platforms blending digital communication with physical-world coordination.