Snapchat Tests 'Spotlight Replies' To Allow Users To Reply To Spotlight Videos

Source: Snapchat

Snapchat is testing a Spotlight Replies feature. The feature allows users to reply directly to videos in Spotlight by creators. Currently, users can only leave text-only replies, and links will not be allowed. Snapchat will also use artificial intelligence to moderate replies before they are sent to creators to remove any hateful or vulgar responses. For replies that make it through to creators, they can decide whether to accept or reject replies and whether or not they want to make replies public, as they are private by default.

Spotlight Replies is currently being tested in New Zealand but will expand to more markets over the next few months.

As Snapchat's answer to TikTok and Instagram Reels, Spotlight has been one of the main reasons creators spend time on the app. However, it has lacked a key feature, the capability to allow users to comment on these short-form videos. As TikTok and Instagram have shown, comments play a key role in building a community around the format, making it a valuable feature.

Snap, which does not allow public comments or replies on friends' Stories, is taking a thoughtful approach with Spotlight Replies by giving creators control. Fortunately for Snapchat, it has had limited issues around hateful comments compared to other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Through Spotlight Replies, Snap finds a balance between supporting a highly requested feature by creators and keeping an environment low on harassment and hateful behavior.