At BuzzPlant, we’re big fans of the content calendar. The content calendar allows for efficient planning, organizing and strategizing. But there’s something to be said for being in the moment. That’s where Snapchat Stories and recently introduced Instagram Stories enter the picture. If you’ve been lingering on the sidelines, unsure of which platform is right for you, a brand new infographic from One Productions sheds some light on the similarities, differences and users. We’ve reposted the entire infographic below, along with some of our own insights from using the two products.
What Snapchat & Instagram Share
- Photos and 10-second videos disappear 24 hours after sharing.
- Add stickers, text or doodles.
- Stories are only visible to your friends if your account is private; otherwise, stories are public by default.
How Snapchat & Instagram Differ
Snapchat has more to offer when it comes to AR technology. Geofilters, face-mapping filters and motion filters give Snapchat Stories an edge over Instagram’s product. However, Facebook (which owns Instagram) recently acquired the Masquerade app; this app offers very similar technology, and it’s speculated that Masquerade may be integrated into Instagram Stories, making it competitive on the AR front with Snapchat Stories.
Users & Engagement
- Snapchat is used by 150 million DAUs (daily active users), averaging 25-30 minutes/day.
- Instagram has 300 million DAUs, averaging 21 minutes/day.
- Snapchat sharing is increasing, while Instagram sharing is decreasing. Though Instagram’s user-base has grown and is significantly larger than Snapchat’s, the average number of photos shared per user has declined since 2013.
Ultimately: Snapchat is faster-growing and more engaged, though it has fewer users than Instagram. Also, this data only accounts for Instagram users, as a whole, not Instagram Stories users, which is sure to be a niche demographic among all Instagram users.
Which One Should You Use?
If you’re targeting a Millennial and Gen-Z demographic, then Snapchat may be the better alternative. This audience is deeply engaged on Snapchat. If your target market includes a broader demographic, then Instagram Stories may be a better choice, allowing you to cast a wider net. Also, if you already have an Instagram account, then you don’t have to do all the startup work of building a following.
Do a little market research – which may even include directly asking your followers where they spend more time: Snapchat or Instagram? Ultimately, great marketers will meet the users where they already are. Our advice: don’t get too caught up in the tech specs, as these change rapidly. Instead, pick a platform where you will have an engaged audience, and start investing in it now. The quality of your content and loyalty of your audience will always trump the platform!
