Difference between revisions of "Timeline of Snapchat"

This is a '''timeline of [[Snapchat]]''', a photo messaging application used for impermanent (self-deleting) photos, developed by [[Evan Spiegel]] and [[Bobby Murphy (businessman)|Bobby Murphy]], and the developing company [[Snap Inc.]]

| December 2014{{snd}}August 2016 || Aggressive fundraising, focus on video, more product iterations || Snapchat raises large funding rounds (Series D: $485 million, Series E: at least $200 million but possibly up to $500 million, and Series F: $1.8 billion). Since Snapchat raises money more continuously, it is hard to pinpoint a specific funding round, creating some confusion for reporting. With the additional funds, Snapchat aggressively improves the product, with changes such as Chat 2.0, the introduction of stickers, and new monetization strategies. Daily video views grow from 2 billion in May 2015 to 6 billion in November 2015 and 10 billion in April 2016. Note, however, that unlike Facebook, that counts a view only after at least three seconds on it (and YouTube, which follows a more restrictive definition), Snapchat counts a view as soon as the video start playing, making its numbers hard to compare with Facebook.<ref name=bloomberg-10-billion>{{cite web|url = http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-28/snapchat-user-content-fuels-jump-to-10-billion-daily-video-views|title = Snapchat User `Stories' Fuel 10 Billion Daily Video Views|last = Frier|first = Sarah|date = April 28, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[Bloomberg News]]''}}</ref>

| September 2016{{snd}}present || Rebranding and preparation for IPO || The company rebrands itself from "Snapchat Inc." to "Snap Inc." and unveils the [[Spectacles (product)|Spectacles]].<ref name="wsj_spectacles" /><ref name="forbes_rebrand" /><ref name="theverge_rebrand" /> It also prepares for an [[initial public offering]] (IPO) in 2017.<ref name="theverge_ipo" /><ref name="bloomberg_ipo" /><ref name="wired_ipo"/><ref name="theverge_ipo2" /> The IPO occurs on Thursday, March 2, 2017.<ref name=marketwatch-ipo-announcement/><ref name=latimes-ipo/>

| 2011 || April || Creation || Snapchat co-founder [[Evan Spiegel]] floats the idea as a final project for a product design class at [[Stanford University]]. His classmates reportedly balk at the idea of impermanent photos.<ref name="Forbes, touch">{{cite news|title=Snapchat: The Biggest No-Revenue Mobile App Since Instagram|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/jjcolao/2012/11/27/snapchat-the-biggest-no-revenue-mobile-app-since-instagram/|accessdate=December 25, 2012|newspaper=Forbes|date=November 27, 2012|author=Colao, J.J. }}</ref>

| 2011 || July || Creation || Snapchat first launches from Spiegel's father living room under the name Picaboo, as an [[iOS]]-only app.<ref name="Forbes, touch" /><ref name="Review, trend">{{cite news|title=Snapchat a growing trend|url=http://www.udreview.com/snapchat-a-growing-trend-1.2939743#.UNYyv_xfN5Q|accessdate=December 22, 2012|newspaper=University of Delaware Review|date=October 29, 2012|author=Murphy, Alexandria }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Picaboo: How to send naughty photos without getting caught |url=http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2011/09/how-to-send-naughty-photos-without-getting-caught.html|publisher=shinyshiny.tv|date=September 16, 2011}}</ref>

| 2012 || March/April || Funding || Barry Eggers, a managing director at the venture capital firm [[Lightspeed Ventures]], learns from his teenage daughter that the three most popular apps among her friends are [[Angry Birds]], [[Instagram]], and Snapchat. Liew, Eggers' partner at the firm, pursues Snapchat and agrees to invest $485,000 in the company.<ref name="TC, not sexting">{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2012/05/12/snapchat-not-sexting/|title = No, Snapchat Isn’t About Sexting, Says Co-Founder Evan Spiegel|date = May 12, 2012|accessdate = September 4, 2014|last = Gallagher|first = Billy|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref><ref name="TC, billion snaps">{{cite news|title=You Know What's Cool? A Billion Snapchats: App Sees Over 20 Million Photos Shared Per Day, Releases On Android|url=http://techcrunch.com/2012/10/29/billion-snapchats/|accessdate=December 22, 2012|newspaper=TechCrunch|date=October 29, 2012|author= Gallagher, Billy}}</ref>

| 2012 || October 29 || Product || Snapchat launches an [[Android (operating system)|Android]] app.<ref name = "TC, billion snaps"/><ref name="Upstart, 28 October">{{cite news|title=The app with self-destructing messages launches on Android|url=http://upstart.bizjournals.com/news/technology/2012/10/29/snapchat-launches-on-android.html|accessdate=December 22, 2012|newspaper=Upstart Business Journal|date=October 29, 2012|author=del Castillo, Michael }}</ref>

| 2012 || December 12 || Funding || Snapchat is reported to be raising north of $10 million at a $70 million valuation. Funders appear to include [[Benchmark Capital]], one of the funders of [[Instagram]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gigaom.com/2012/12/12/snapchat-is-getting-funded-by-instagaram-backer-benchmarl/|title = SnapChat is getting funded. By Instagram backer Benchmark|last = Malik|first = Om|date = December 12, 2012|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher = ''[[GigaOm]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/12/sources-snapchat-raising-north-of-10m-at-around-70m-valuation-led-by-benchmarks-mitch-lasky/|title = Sources: Snapchat Raising "North Of $10M" At Around $70M Valuation, Led By Benchmark’s Mitch Lasky|last = Eldon|first = Eric|date = December 12, 2012|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher= ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2012 || December 14 || Product || Snapchat releases video sharing and begins prototyping monetization features.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/14/snapchat-does-video/|title = Snapchat Releases Video Sharing, Is Prototyping Monetization Features (Oh, And It’s Still Not For Sexting)|last = Gallagher|first = Billy|date = December 14, 2012|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2012 || December 21 || Competition || Social networking company [[Facebook]] launches Poke, an iOS app for sending expiring text, photos, and videos. It is widely viewed as a direct competitor to Snapchat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/21/facebook-poke-app/|title = Facebook Launches Snapchat Competitor "Poke", An iOS App For Sending Expiring Text, Photos, And Videos|date = December 21, 2012|accessdate = September 4, 2014|last = Constine|first = Josh|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/tomiogeron/2012/12/21/facebook-brings-back-the-poke-with-snapchat-like-messaging-app/|title = Facebook Launches Poke Messaging App, A Snapchat Competitor|last = Geron|first = Tomio|date = December 21, 2012|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/21/facebook-poke-vs-snapchat-what-is-the-difference/|title = Facebook Poke Vs. Snapchat: What’s The Difference?|last = Crook|first = Jordan|date = December 21, 2012|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2013 || February 8 || Funding || Snapchat raises a $13.5 million Series A led by [[Benchmark Capital]]'s Mitch Lasky, with a post-money valuation between $60 million and $70 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/09/technology/snapchat-a-growing-app-lets-you-see-it-then-you-dont.html|title = A Growing App Lets You See It, Then You Don’t|last = Wortham|first = Jenna|date = February 8, 2013|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher = ''[[New York Times]]''}}</ref> This is the same as the funding round rumored on December 12, 2012.<ref name="TC, Series A official">{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/08/snapchat-raises-13-5m-series-a-led-by-benchmark-now-sees-60m-snaps-sent-per-day/|title = Snapchat Raises $13.5M Series A Led By Benchmark, Now Sees 60M Snaps Sent Per Day|last = Gallagher|first = Billy|date = February 8, 2013|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2013 || February 21 || Product || Snapchat launches video sharing on its Android app after ten days of quiet beta testing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/21/ten-days-after-private-beta-launch-snapchat-officially-brings-video-to-android/|title = Ten Days After Private Beta Launch, Snapchat Officially Brings Video To Android|last = Crook|first = Jordan|date = February 21, 2013|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2013 || February 27 || Legal || Snapchat is sued by Reginald Brown, a Stanford graduate student who used to be friends with Spiegel and Murphy. Brown claims that he originally came up with the idea behind Snapchat as well as the ghost logo, back when the product was still called Picaboo, but that Spiegel and Murphy changed passwords to shut him out of the servers. Snapchat calls the lawsuit "devoid of merit."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/27/stanford-grad-files-lawsuit-claiming-he-came-up-with-snapchat-snapchat-calls-lawsuit-devoid-of-merit/|title = Stanford Grad Files Lawsuit Claiming He Came Up With Snapchat, Snapchat Calls Lawsuit "Devoid Of Merit"|last = Crook|first = Jordan|date = February 27, 2013|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2013 || April 16 || Userbase || At the Dive into Mobile conference, Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel says that users now share 150 million images per day, or about 1700 per second.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/04/16/snapchat-now-sees-150m-images-shared-each-day-but-questions-of-viability-still-linger/|title = Snapchat Now Sees 150M Images Shared Each Day, But Questions Of Profitability Still Linger|date = April 16, 2013|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''|last = Velazco|first = Chris}}</ref> On the same day, a post on the Snapchat blog notes that the company is facing spam problems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.snapchat.com/post/48123758611/snap-spam-ew|title = Snap Spam (Ew.)|date = April 16, 2013|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher = [[Snapchat]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/04/16/snapchat-experiences-spammy-growing-pains-after-passing-150m-snaps-sent-per-day/|title = Snapchat Experiences Spammy Growing Pains After Passing 150M Snaps Sent Per Day|last = Crook|first = Jordan|date = April 16, 2013|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2013 || June 22 || Funding || Snapchat raises a $80 million Series B ($60 million for the company and $20 million as a secondary offering) at a valuation of about $800 million. The round is led by [[Institutional Venture Partners]], and earlier investors [[Benchmark Capital]] and [[Lightspeed Ventures]] also invest. Other investors included [[General Catalyst Partners]] and [[SV Angel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/06/22/source-snapchat-snaps-up-80m-from-ivp-at-a-800m-valuation/|title = Snapchat Snaps Up A $80M Series B Led By IVP At An $800M Valuation|last = Tsotsis|first = Alexia|authorlink = Alexia Tsotsis|date = June 22, 2013|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://valleywag.gawker.com/source-snapchat-cofounders-unloaded-personal-stock-for-574730704|title = Source: Snapchat Cofounders Unloaded Personal Stock for $20 M.|last = Tiku|first = Nitasha|publisher = ''[[ValleyWag]]''|date = June 25, 2013|accessdate = September 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://allthingsd.com/20130624/snapchat-closes-60-million-round-led-by-ivp-now-at-200-million-daily-snaps/|title = Snapchat Closes $60 Million Round Led by IVP, Now at 200 Million Daily Snaps|last = Isaac|first = Mike|date = June 24, 2013|accessdate = September 4, 2014|publisher = ''[[AllThingsD]]''}}</ref>

| 2013 || July 1 || Legal || Documents related to Reginald Brown's lawsuit against Snapchat are released. The documents demonstrate Brown's important early role while the product was being developed, and are intended to bolster the case that Brown is eligible for a 1/3 stake in the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/07/01/new-snapchat-docs/|title = Snapchat’s Spiegel Admits Brown "Came Up With The Idea For Disappearing Picture Messages" In New Court Documents|date = July 1, 2013|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''|last = Gallagher|first = Billy}}</ref>

| 2013 || September 9 || Product || Snapchat releases Snapchat Micro, an app for the [[Galaxy Gear]] smartwatch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/09/09/snapchat-releases-snapchat-micro-an-app-for-the-galaxy-gear-smartwatch/|title = Snapchat Releases Snapchat Micro, An App For The Galaxy Gear Smartwatch|last = Crook|first = Jordan|date = September 9, 2013|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2013 || September 9 || Userbase || Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel reports that Snapchat users are now sharing 350 million photographs a day (about 4000 per second).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/09/09/snapchat-now-sees-350m-photos-shared-daily-up-from-200m-in-june/|title = Snapchat Now Sees 350M Photos Shared Daily, Up From 200M In June|last = Gallagher|first = Billy|date = September 9, 2013|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2013 || October 3 || Product || Snapchat updates its app to include the option to create Snapchat Stories, a type of sharing that allows users to build chains of shared content that can be viewed an unlimited number of times over a 24-hour period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/10/03/snapchat-gets-its-own-timeline-with-snapchat-stories-24-hour-photo-video-tales/|title = Snapchat Gets Its Own Timeline With Snapchat Stories, 24-Hour Photo & Video Tales|last = Etherington|first = Darrell|date = October 3, 2013|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2013 || November 13 || Potential acquisition || The ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' reports that Snapchat spurned a $3 billion acquisition offer from social networking company [[Facebook]]. Neither Snapchat nor Facebook offer comment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/11/13/snapchat-spurned-3-billion-acquisition-offer-from-facebook/|title = Snapchat Spurned $3 Billion Acquisition Offer from Facebook|date = November 13, 2013|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[Wall Street Journal]]''|last = Rusli|first = Evelyn|last2 = MacMillan|first2 = Douglas}}</ref>

| 2013 || November 19 || Userbase || Snapchat users are now sharing 400 million snaps a day (about 4500 per second), more than Facebook.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/19/snapchat-reportedly-sees-more-daily-photos-than-facebook/|title = Snapchat Sees More Daily Photos Than Facebook|last = Crook|first = Jordan|date = November 19, 2013|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2013 || December || || Snapchat hires [[Emily White]] as [[Chief operating officer|COO]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/snapchat-names-emily-white-coo-2013-12 |date=December 3, 2013 |title=Snapchat Just Nabbed An Important Advertising Exec Away From Facebook |publisher=Business Insider |accessdate=February 17, 2017 |author=Julie Bort}}</ref>

| 2013 || December 11 || Funding || Snapchat raises $50 million in Series C funding from [[Coatue Management]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://venturebeat.com/2013/12/11/snapchat-series-c/|title = Snapchat reveals Coatue Management is the investor in its $50M funding|date = December 11, 2013|accessdate = September 6, 2014|last = Kelly|first = Meghan|publisher = ''[[VentureBeat]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/jjcolao/2013/12/11/hedge-fund-invests-50-million-into-snapchat/|title = Hedge Fund Invests $50M Into Snapchat|last = Colao|first = J. J.|date = December 11, 2013|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/12/11/snapchat-series-c-50-million/|title = Snapchat Raises $50 Million In Series C From Coatue Management|last = Crook|first = Jordan|date = December 11, 2013|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2013 || December 20 || Product || Snapchat rolls out a change that allows users to replay one snap a day, thereby sacrificing some of its ephemerality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/12/20/selfconsciouschat/|title = Snapchat Sacrifices Ephemerality With New Replay Feature|date = December 20, 2013|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2013–2014|| December 27 – January 9 || Security || A security flaw in Snapchat's Find Friends feature leads to 4.6 million usernames and phone numbers being leaked.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://techcrunch.com/2013/12/31/hackers-claim-to-publish-list-of-4-6m-snapchat-usernames-and-numbers/|title = Confirmed: Snapchat Hack Not A Hoax, 4.6M Usernames And Numbers Published|last = Shu|first = Catherine|date = December 31, 2013|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SnapChat Hack|url=http://snaphack.co/|publisher=www.snaphack.co|accessdate=19 March 2016}}</ref> Snapchat promises to work on beefing up security quickly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.snapchat.com/post/72013106599/find-friends-abuse|title = Find Friends Abuse|date = January 2, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref> On January 9, Snapchat rolls out an update that allows people to opt out of the Find Friends feature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/01/09/snapchat-updates-android-ios-apps-with-new-security-features-and-finally-says-sorry-for-december-data-breach/|title = Snapchat Finally Says Sorry For December Data Breach, Updates Android & iOS  Apps With Find Friends Opt-Out|last = Lomas|first = Natasha|date = January 9, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2014 || January 21 || Security || Snapchat introduces Snap-tchas (a wordplay on [[CAPTCHA]]s) to deter spam and improve security, but hackers find workarounds within hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/01/21/snaptcha/|title = Snapchat Makes You "Find The Ghosts" To Keep Hackers From Stealing Your Phone Number [Update: But It Fails]|last = Constine|first = Josh|date = January 21, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2014 || February 7 || Security || Security researcher Jamie Sanchez discovers a vulnerability in Snapchat whereby hackers can freeze a person's phone by sending the phone a lot of snaps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-snapchat-shut-down-iphone-20140207-story.html#axzz2sfZoxSCT|title = Hackers can use Snapchat to disable iPhones, researcher says|last = Rodriguez|first = Salvador|date = February 7, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/02/07/newly-discovered-snapchat-weakness-could-allow-hackers-to-crash-your-phone/|title = Newly Discovered Snapchat Weakness Could Allow Hackers To Crash Your Phone|date = February 7, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|last = Crook|first = Jordan|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2014 ||February 10, 11 || Security || Snapchat is hacked to send people spam pictures of fruit smoothies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/2014/02/snapchat-hack|title = A Snapchat Hack Is Sending People Pictures of Smoothies|last = Brown|first = Joe|date = February 11, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[Wired Magazine]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/02/11/snapchat-snapfroot/|title = Snapchat Hacked By Fruit Smoothie Enthusiast|last = Shu|first = Catherine|date = February 11, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2014 || March || Acquisition || Snap secretly acquires [[Vergence Labs]] for $15 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/snapchat-secretly-acquired-a-company-that-makes-smart-glasses/ |title=Snapchat quietly put down $15m for a company that makes smart glasses |publisher=Digital Trends |date=December 18, 2014 |accessdate=February 17, 2017 |author=Trevor Mogg |quote=Snapchat back in March quietly acquired a company that makes high-tech specs, according to information gleaned from a batch of emails posted online by the Sony Pictures hackers.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/untold-story-vergence-labs-snapchat-acquired-spectacles-2016-11 |date=November 23, 2016 |title=How Snapchat secretly bought a struggling startup, then bet the future on it |publisher=Business Insider |accessdate=February 17, 2017 |author=Alex Heath |quote=The genesis of Spectacles dates back to Vergence Labs, a small Los Angeles startup that Spiegel quietly acquired for $15 million in early 2014. }}</ref>

| 2014 || May || Acquisition || The company acquires the software company AddLive.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/2/5676196/snapchat-acquires-addlive-video-chat|title=Snapchat made a secret acquisition to power its new video chat|last=Hamburger|first=Ellis|date=2 May 2014|work=[[The Verge]]|access-date=15 November 2016|via=[[Vox Media]]}}</ref>

| 2014 || May || Legal || The company reaches an agreement with the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2014/05/snapchat-settles-ftc-charges-promises-disappearing-messages-were|title=Snapchat Settles FTC Charges That Promises of Disappearing Messages Were False|last=|first=|date=8 May 2014|work=[[Federal Trade Commission]]|access-date=15 November 2016|via=}}</ref> The government agency alleged that the company had exaggerated to the public the degree to which mobile app images and photos could actually be made to disappear. Under the terms of the agreement, Snapchat was not fined, but the app service agreed to have its claims and policies monitored by an independent party for a period of 20 years. The FTC concluded that Snapchat was prohibited from "misrepresenting the extent to which it maintains the privacy, security, or confidentiality of users' information."<ref>Andrea Peterson , [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2014/05/08/snapchat-agrees-to-settle-ftc-charges-that-it-deceived-users/ "Snapchat agrees to settle FTC charges that it deceived users"], ''The Washington Post'', May 8, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref>

| 2014 || May 1 || Product || Snapchat adds ephemeral text chat and video calling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/05/01/snapchat-adds-text-chat-and-video-calls/|title = Snapchat Adds Ephemeral Text Chat And Video Calls|last = Dillet|first = Romain|date = May 1, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2014 || May 28 || People || Embarrassing emails sent by Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel from many years before he started Snapchat are leaked.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/confirmed-snapchats-evan-spiegel-is-kind-of-an-ass/|title = Confirmed: Snapchat’s Evan Spiegel Is Kind Of An Ass|date = May 28, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''|last = Crook|first=  Jordan}}</ref>

| 2014 || June 17 || Product || Snapchat launches collaborative timelines based on events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.snapchat.com/post/89064817345/introducing-our-story|title = Introducing Our Story|date = June 17, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = [[Snapchat]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/17/snapchat-launches-collaborative-timelines-based-on-events/|title = Snapchat Launches Collaborative Timelines Based On Events|last = Crook|first = Jordan|date =June 17, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2014/06/17/snapchat-our-story/|title = Snapchat Rolls Out Group-Sharing Feature for Concerts, Live Events|date = June 17, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[Mashable]]''|last = Wagner|first = Kurt}}</ref>

| 2014 || August 29 || Product || Snapchat updates its app, adding a "Live" section that allows people to follow events live.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/08/29/snapchat-steps-on-twitters-toes-lets-you-follow-remote-events-live/|title = Snapchat Steps On Twitter’s Toes, Lets You Follow Remote Events Live|date = August 29, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/29/6084221/snapchat-our-story-collective-snaps-from-live-events|title = Snapchat lets you watch and create group videos of live events with 'Our Story'|last = Franzen|first = Carl|date = August 29, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = ''[[The Verge]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2014/08/29/snapchat-our-story/|title = Snapchat's photo-sharing live feed is finally ready for the masses|last = Steele|first = Billy|date = August 29, 2014|accessdate = September 6, 2014|publisher = [[Engadget]]}}</ref>

| 2014 || September 4 || Product || Snapchat begins using push notifications for Snapchat Stories.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://techcrunch.com/2014/09/04/push-over-pull/|title = Snapchat Pushes You To Watch Friends’ Stories|last = Constine|first = Josh|date = September 4, 2014|accessdate = October 13, 2014|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2014 || September 29 || Legal || After three years of legal wrangling, Snapchat finally settles its lawsuit with ousted co-founder Reginald Brown for an undisclosed compensation.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://techcrunch.com/2014/09/09/snapchat-finally-settles-lawsuit-with-ousted-co-founder-reggie-brown/|title = Snapchat Finally Settles Lawsuit With Ousted Co-Founder Reggie Brown|date = September 9, 2014|accessdate = October 13, 2014|last = Crook|first = Jordan|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2014 || October 10 || Security || Hundreds of thousands of Snapchat photos are leaked. Snapchat does not appear to be at fault: the leak seems to be from SnapSaved, a service that allows people to receive snaps and archives all the snaps it receives, and Snapchat explicitly states in its terms of use that users should not connect Snapchat with third-party applications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.co.id/snapchat-hacked-the-snappening-2014-10/|title = Hundreds Of Thousands Of Teens Have Had Their Snapchat Photos And Videos Intercepted By Hackers|last = Cook|first = James|date = October 10, 2014|accessdate = October 13, 2014|publisher = ''[[Business Insider]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pando.com/2014/10/13/snapsaved-tries-to-defend-itself-after-allowing-thousands-of-private-images-to-be-made-public/|title = SnapSaved tries to defend itself after allowing thousands of private images to be made public|last = Mott|first = Nathaniel|date = October 13, 2014|accessdate = October 13, 2014|publisher = ''[[PandoDaily]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/10/13/snapsaved-takes-responsibility-for-latest-snapchat-leak/|title = Snapsaved Takes Responsibility For Latest Snapchat Leak|last = Crook|first = Jordan|date = October 13, 2014|accessdate = January 26, 2015|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2014 || October 17 || Product, monetization || Snapchat announces on its blog that users will start receiving ads from brands under the Recent Updates section of its blog.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.snapchat.com/post/100255857340/advertising-on-snapchat|title = Advertising on Snapchat|date = October 17, 2014|accessdate = January 26, 2015|publisher = [[Snapchat]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/10/18/snapchat-ads-are-probably-cooler-than-facebooks-but-still-not-cool/|title = Snapchat Ads Are Probably Cooler Than Facebook’s, But Still Not Cool|last = Crook|first = Jordan|date = October 18, 2014|accessdate = January 26, 2015|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2014 || November 17 || Product || Snapchat announces Snapcash, a tool allowing people to send each other money easily through the app.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/11/17/snapcash/|title = Snapchat Now Lets You Send Money To Friends Through Snapcash Deal With Square Cash|last = Constine|first = Josh|date = November 17, 2014|accessdate = January 26, 2015|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/11/17/snapcashing-in/|title = Snapcash Could Bring Real Identity And Ad Targeting Data To Snapchat|date = November 17, 2014|accessdate = January 26, 2015|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pando.com/2014/11/20/is-snapcash-a-tool-for-the-porn-industry-in-disguise/|title = Is Snapcash a tool for the porn industry in disguise?|last = Holmes|first = David|date = November 20, 2014|accessdate = January 26, 2015|publisher = ''[[PandoDaily]]''}}</ref>

| 2014 || November 23 || Product, monetization || Snapchat includes a sponsored story from [[Samsung]] and the AMAs in its Our Story section. Although Snapchat has previously included topical stories related to the World Cup and Super Bowl in the Our Stories section, this is the first placement paid for by a brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/11/23/snapchat-sponsored-our-story/|title = Snapchat’s Newest Money Maker Is A Sponsored Our Story For Samsung And The AMAs|last = Constine|first = Josh|date = November 23, 2014|accessdate = January 26, 2015|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2014 || December 16 || Product, acquisitions by Snapchat || Leaked emails from [[Sony Pictures]] show that Snapchat is planning a music feature, acquired QR scan company scan.me for $50 million, and acquired Vergence Eyeglass Cam for $15 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/12/16/snapchat-emails-not-so-ephemeral/|title = Snapchat Plans Music Feature, Acquired QR Scan.me For $50M And Vergence Eyeglass Cam For $15M,|date = December 16, 2014|accessdate = January 26, 2015|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''|last = Constine|first = Josh}}</ref>

| 2014 || December 22 || Product, accessibility || [[Microsoft]] removes third-party Snapchat apps from the Windows Phone store at Snapchat's request.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotusernames.com/snapchat-indicative-microsofts-problems-hope.html|title = Snapchat is indicative of Microsoft’s problems, but there is hope|date = June 26, 2016|accessdate = June 26, 2016|publisher = ''[[Hotusernames]]''}}</ref> Since Snapchat has no official app, this means Windows Phone users can no longer use Snapchat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pando.com/2014/12/22/snapchat-cracks-down-on-third-party-apps-to-bolster-user-security/|title = Snapchat cracks down on third-party apps to bolster user security|last = Mott|first = Nathaniel|date = December 22, 2014|accessdate = January 26, 2015|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2014 || December 31 || Funding || Snapchat announces that it has raised $485 million from 23 investors for its Series D round at a valuation of at least $10 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2014/12/31/snapchat-485m/|title = Snapchat Has Raised $485 Million More From 23 Investors, At Valuation Of At Least $10B|last = Lunden|first = Ingrid|last2 = Tsotsis|first2 = Alexia|authorlink2 = Alexia Tsotsis|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''|date = December 31, 2014|accessdate = January 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pando.com/2014/12/31/snapchat-celebrates-the-new-year-early-with-485-6m-in-new-funding/|title = Snapchat celebrates the New Year early with $485.6M in new funding|last = Carney|first = Michael|date = December 31, 2014|accessdate = January 26, 2015|publisher = ''[[PandoDaily]]''}}</ref>

| 2015 || January 27 || Product || Snapchat launches Discover, a daily feed comprising content from brands like [[ESPN]], [[CNN]], [[Vice (magazine)|Vice]], and [[Warner Music]], [[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]], [[Yahoo News]], and others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.snapchat.com/post/109302961090/introducing-discover|title = Introducing Discover|date = January 27, 2015|accessdate = June 6, 2015|publisher = [[Snapchat]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2015/01/27/snapchat-launches-discover/|title = Snapchat Launches Discover|last = Crook|first = Jordan|date = January 27, 2015|accessdate = June 6, 2015|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2015 || February 10 || Product, safety || Snapchat launches the Snapchat Safety Center, a section of its website with practical tips of how to stay safe while using Snapchat. The Safety Center launch is in collaboration with three nonprofits focused on Internet safety: ConnectSafely, iKeepSafe, and UK Safer Internet Center.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.snapchat.com/safety|title = Safety Center|publisher = [[Snapchat]]|accessdate = June 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2015/02/10/snapchat-safety/|title = Snapchat Partners With Three Non-Profits To Launch A ‘Safety Center’|last = Russell|first = Jon|date = February 10, 2015|accessdate = June 6, 2015|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2015 || March || Funding || Rumors of Snapchat's next $500 million funding round (Series E), at a valuation of about $15 billion, are circulated. Potential investors include [[Alibaba Group|Alibaba]] ($200 million) and [[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud]] of [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-11/alibaba-said-to-plan-snapchat-funding-at-15-billion-valuation|title = Snapchat Is Raising Money From Alibaba at a $15 Billion Valuation|last = Saitto|first = Serena|date = March 11, 2015|accessdate = June 6, 2015|publisher = ''[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2015/03/11/snapchat-500-million/|title = Alibaba, Prince Alwaleed Go In On Snapchat’s $500M Round|date = March 11, 2015|last = Russell|first = Jon|accessdate = June 6, 2015|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2015 || March || || [[Emily White]], who was COO since December 2013, leaves the company.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/03/snapchat-doesnt-think-needs-adult-like-facebook/ |title=Snapchat Doesn't Think It Needs an Adult Like Facebook Did |publisher=WIRED |accessdate=February 17, 2017 |author=Jessi Hempel |date=March 18, 2015}}</ref>

| 2015 || May 26 || Userbase || Snapchat has 100 million currently active users, who send snaps at a rate over 400 million a day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://expandedramblings.com/index.php/snapchat-statistics/|title = By the numbers 60 Amazing Snapchat Statistics|last = Smith|first = Craig|date = August 13, 2015|accessdate = August 20, 2015|publisher = ''[[Digital Marketing Ramblings|DMR]]''}}</ref> It is also seeing 2 billion video views a day.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2015-05-26/evan-spiegel-reveals-plan-to-turn-snapchat-into-a-real-business|title =  Evan Spiegel Reveals Plan to Turn Snapchat Into a Real Business. CEO says he knows what millennials and teens want, and it's not on television or Facebook|date = May 26, 2015|accessdate = August 13, 2016|last = Stone|first = Brad|last2 = Frier|first2 = Sarah|publisher = ''[[Bloomberg News]]''}}</ref>

| 2015 || July 1 || Product || Snapchat changes its interface to no longer require people to tap and ''hold'' to watch. They just need to tap to the relevant video. This move is interpreted as being an adaptation to the increasing length of video content being shared, that makes holding down more and more cumbersome. A number of other accompanying changes are made, including allowing people to have a profile GIF: they can take five photos of themselves and an animated GIF will be created by juxtaposing the five images.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://techcrunch.com/2015/07/01/but-are-they-still-watching/|title = Snapchat Solicits Longer Content By Ditching Tap-And-Hold-To-Watch|last = Constine|first = Josh|date = July 1, 2015|accessdate = October 18, 2015|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2015 || August 12 || Product || Snapchat launches a new mode called Travel Mode in its iOS and Android apps, intended for people who are traveling and do not want to use too much mobile data. In this mode, Snaps, Stories, and Discovery content are not automatically loaded when the user opens the app, but are only loaded when the user taps on the piece of content.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://techcrunch.com/2015/08/10/snapchat-travel-mode/|title = Snapchat Adds Data-Saving Mode To Win Users On A Budget|date = August 10, 2015|accessdate = October 18, 2015|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2015 || August 18 || Advertising || An advocacy group, Secure Now, is running an ad on Snapchat opposing the recent nuclear deal with Iran. The ad targets Senator Ben Cardin who agrees with the current deal and urges users to, “Tell Senator Cardin: No to the bad Iran deal!”. The ad uses a filter in which friends can share it with each other.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://blog.snapchat.com/post/122949596035/tap-to-view|title = Tap to View|date = July 1, 2015|accessdate = October 18, 2015|publisher = [[Snapchat]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/08/18/new-snapchat-ad-opposing-iran-deal-targets-ben-cardin/|title = New Snapchat ad opposing Iran deal targets Ben Cardin|last = Ho|first = Catherine|date = August 18, 2015|accessdate = August 20, 2015|publisher = ''[[Washington Post]]''}}</ref>

| 2015 || October 12 || Product || Snapchat gets rid of its 15-person team running the "Snapchat Channel" (its original content) and shuts the product down.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://deadline.com/2015/10/snapchat-snap-channel-shut-down-layoffs-original-content-strategy-1201577855/|title = Snapchat To Shut Down Snap Channel, Laying Off Team, Changing Content Plans|date = October 12, 2015|accessdate = October 18, 2015|last = Andreeva|first = Nellie|publisher = ''Deadline''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://techcrunch.com/2015/10/12/ephemeral-ephemeral-ephemeral/|title = Snapchat Gives Up On Original Content, Axes ‘Snapchat Channel’|last = Olanoff|first = Drew|date = October 12, 2015|accessdate = October 18, 2015|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2015 || October 28 || Product || Snapchat adds slow-mo, fast-forward and rewind video filters. It also adds 3D touch capabilities for iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S+ users.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://techcrunch.com/2015/10/28/snapchat-slow-motion/|title = Snapchat Adds Slow-Mo, Fast-Forward, And Rewind Video Filters|last = Constine|first = Josh|date = October 28, 2015|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://mic.com/articles/127555/snapchat-s-latest-update-adds-video-filter-here-s-how-to-use-it|title = Snapchat's Latest Update Adds Video Filter. Here's How to Use It|last = Riotta|first = Chris|date = October 28, 2015|access-date = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[Mic (media company)|Mic]]''}}</ref>

| 2015 || November 9 || Userbase || Snapchat confirms to ''[[Financial Times]]'' that it is seeing 6 billion daily video views, up from 2 billion in May.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://techcrunch.com/2015/11/09/snapchat-reaches-6-billion-daily-videos-views-tripling-from-2-billion-in-may/|title = Snapchat video views surge to 6 billion|last = Medici Scolaro|first = Christina|date = November 9, 2015|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[CNBC]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://techcrunch.com/2015/11/09/snapchat-reaches-6-billion-daily-videos-views-tripling-from-2-billion-in-may/|title = Snapchat Reaches 6 Billion Daily Videos Views, Tripling From 2 Billion In May|last = Matney|first = Lucas|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''|date = November 9, 2015|accessdate = August 13, 2016}}</ref>

| 2015 || November 10 || Financial || ''[[Financial Times]]'' reports, using [[Morningstar, Inc.|Morningstar]] data, that [[Fidelity Investments]] has marked down Snapchat's valuation by 25%, from $30.72 a share to $22.91 a share.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://fortune.com/2015/11/11/snapchat-fidelity-valuation/|title = Another Sign of Trouble with the 'Unicorns'|last = Roberts|first = Daniel|date = November 11, 2015|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ibtimes.com/snapchat-valuation-marked-down-25-fidelity-investments-2179131|title = Snapchat Valuation Marked Down 25% By Fidelity Investments|last = Kondalamahanty|first = Aditya|date = November 11, 2015|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[International Business Times]]''}}</ref> Fidelity had previously acquired a stake in Snapchat in May, and this is the first devaluation. Fidelity declines to comment on whether the markdown was motivated by the company’s performance, or market conditions, or both. ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' reports that Fidelity has been marking down many of the companies in its Blue Chip Growth Fund, and Snapchat's situation is not unique.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://fortune.com/2015/11/11/snapchat-isnt-the-only-startup-in-fidelitys-crosshairs/|title = Snapchat Isn't the Only Startup in Fidelity's Crosshairs|last = Primack|first = Dan|date = November 11, 2015|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]''}}</ref>

| 2016 || March 24 || Acquisitions by Snapchat || Snapchat acquires Bitstrips, the company that makes bitmojis (personalized [[emoji]]s). The news is broken by ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' on March 24.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://fortune.com/2016/03/24/exclusive-snapchat-buys-bitmoji-maker/|title = Exclusive: Snapchat Buys Bitmoji Maker|last = Primack|first = Dan|date = March 24, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]''}}</ref>

| 2016 || March 29 || Product || Snapchat announces Chat 2.0, a collection of product updates. The updates include Snapchat Stories auto-advance (moving to the next story after one story has played), over 200 stickers that can be used in chat messages, video notes, audio notes, video and audio calls, multiple photo-sending, and on-the-fly toggling between video and audio calls.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://techcrunch.com/2016/03/29/snapphone/|title = Snapchat seamlessly combines video, audio, GIFs, stickers in “Chat 2.0”|date = March 29, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''|last = Constine|first = Josh}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.engadget.com/2016/03/29/snapchat-completely-revamps-its-feature-set-for-chat-2-0/|title = Snapchat completely revamps its feature set for 'Chat 2.0'|publisher = ''[[Engadget]]''|last = Tarantola|first = Andrew|date = March 29, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016}}</ref> Commentators find a connection between the announcements, arguing that the acquisition of Bitstrips might lead to the ability to create and send personalized stickers in the future.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://techcrunch.com/2016/03/29/snapmoji/|title = $100M Bitstrips acquisition makes sense now that Snapchat has stickers|date = March 29, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016|last = Constine|first = Josh|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2016 || April 28 || Userbase || Snapchat reaches 10 billion daily video views, up from 6 billion in November 2015 and 2 billion in May 2015. Reporting on the matter, Sarah Frier clarifies in ''[[Bloomberg News]]'' that this is not directly comparable to the 8 billion reported by Facebook, since Facebook counts a video as viewed only if the user spends at least 3 seconds watching the video, whereas Snapchat counts a view as soon as the watching begins.<ref name=bloomberg-10-billion/>

| 2016 || May 23 || Product || Snapchat adds support for decorating snaps with 200+ stickers.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/23/spice-up-your-snapchats-with-stickers-not-just-emoji/|title = Spice up your Snapchats with Stickers, not just emojis|last = Tepper|first = Fitz|date = May 23, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2016 || May 26 || Funding || Snapchat files with the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] reporting its latest Series F round. The round includes $1.8 billion in funds raised.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.forbes.com/sites/chancebarnett/2016/06/09/snapchats-giant-series-f-round-signals-health-and-changes-in-startup-funding/#45e941bd4065|title = Snapchat's Giant Series F Round Signals Health And Changes In Startup Funding|last = Barnett|first = Chance|date = June 9, 2016|publisher = ''[[Forbes]]''}}</ref> The funds were raised over a long period of time. ''[[TechCrunch]]'' reports that $1.158 billion of the $1.8 billion were raised since January 2016 ($650 million previously collected in 2015 makes up the rest of the $1.8 billion), and also reports a leaked pitch deck with revenue and userbase numbers and projections.<ref name=techcrunch-series-f>{{cite web|url = https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/26/snapchat-series-f/|title = Snapchat raised $1.8B in a Series F round; leaked deck reveals revenues, user numbers|last = Lunden|first = Ingrid|date = May 26, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref> The $1.8 billion total includes a $175 million raised from Fidelity that was announced in March 2016.<ref name=techcrunch-series-f/><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.reuters.com/article/us-snapchat-fidelity-funds-idUSKCN0W604K|title = Snapchat raises $175 million from Fidelity in latest funding round: source|publisher = ''[[Reuters]]''|date = March 3, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016}}</ref>

| 2016 || June 3 || Acquisitions by Snapchat || Snapchat acquires Obvious Engineering, a startup working on three-dimensional face scanning app called Seene (also called the "3D selfie startup").<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.businessinsider.com/snapchat-buys-3d-selfie-startup-seene-2016-6|title = Snapchat secretly bought a 3D selfie startup|last = Tweedie|first = Stephen|last2 = Carson|first2 = Biz|publisher = ''[[Business Insider]]''|date = June 3, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.theverge.com/2016/6/6/11868062/snapchat-seene-3d-selfie-scanning-company-acquisition|title = Snapchat reportedly bought 3D face-scanning app Seene|date = June 6, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[The Verge]]''}}</ref>

| 2016 || July 6 || Product || Snapchat announces Memories, a feature that helps people find older content they have posted. By default, any snaps saved to the Camera Roll also get included in Memories, though the setting can be changed. It is also possible to search through old snaps in Memories. Memories itself cannot be accessed by others, but snaps collected from memories can be used as part of Snapchat Stories, that others ''can'' see temporarily. This also makes it easy for people to recover their snaps if their device is lost or damaged. Particularly sensitive content can be saved under My Eyes Only with passcode protection, but the content cannot be retrieved if the passcode is lost.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/06/snapchat-memories/|title = Snapchat Memories is a searchable replacement for your camera roll|last = Constine|first = Josh|date = July 6, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref>

| 2016 || August 2 || Competition || Instagram launches Instagram Stories. The product works like Snapchat Stories: users can post 24-hour ephemeral photo and video slideshows that disappear.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/02/instagram-stories/|title = Instagram launches “Stories,” a Snapchatty feature for imperfect sharing|last = Constine|first = Josh|date = August 2, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref> Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom openly admits that the feature is copied from Snapchat, based on the success of Snapchat stories.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/02/silicon-copy/|title = Instagram CEO on Stories: Snapchat deserves all the credit|last = Constine|first = Josh|date = August 2, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[TechCrunch]]''}}</ref> The feature is viewed as part of Instagram's goal of attracting users away from Snapchat.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/03/technology/instagram-stories-snapchat-facebook.html|title = Instagram Takes a Page From Snapchat, and Takes Aim at It, Too|last = Isaac|first = Mike|date = August 2, 2016|accessdate = August 13, 2016|publisher = ''[[New York Times]]''}}</ref>

| 2016 || August 15 || Acquisitions by Snapchat || Snapchat acquires mobile search app [[Vurb]] for $110M. <ref>{{cite web|url = https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/15/snapsearch/|title=Snapchat is acquiring mobile search app Vurb for $110M+|publisher =TechCrunch|date = August 15, 2016|accessdate = August 15, 2016}}</ref>

|2016|| September 8 || Advertising || Snapchat is featured in a [[T-Mobile]] commercial.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geekwire.com/2016/t-mobile-nicki-minaj-ad/ |title=Oh, snap! Nicki Minaj ditches the dude who doesn’t have unlimited data in new T-Mobile ad |first=Kurt|last= Schossler|publisher= Geek Wire|date= September 9, 2016|accessdate=February 8, 2017}}</ref>

| 2016 || September 23 || || The company rebrands itself to Snap Inc. and unveils a pair of [[smartglasses]] called the [[Spectacles (product)|Spectacles]].<ref name="wsj_spectacles">{{cite web|url=http://www.wsj.com/articles/snapchat-releases-first-hardware-product-spectacles-1474682719|title=Snapchat Releases First Hardware Product, Spectacles|last=Stevenson|first=Seth|date=24 September 2016|website=|publisher=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|accessdate=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="forbes_rebrand">{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/kathleenchaykowski/2016/09/24/snapchat-leaps-into-hardware-rebrands-as-snap-inc/#2c2005974de8|title=Snapchat Leaps Into Hardware, Rebrands As 'Snap Inc.'|last=Chaykowski|first=Kathleen|date=24 September 2016|website=|publisher=[[Forbes]]|accessdate=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="theverge_rebrand">{{cite web|url=http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/23/13039184/snapchat-spectacles-price-release-date-snap-inc|title=Snapchat unveils $130 connected sunglasses and rebrands as Snap, Inc.|last=Newton|first=Casey|date=23 September 2016|website=|publisher=[[The Verge]]|accessdate=15 November 2016}}</ref>

| 2016 || November || Legal || The company files documents for an [[initial public offering]] (IPO) with an estimated market value of $25–35 billion.<ref name="theverge_ipo">{{Cite news|url=http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/15/13642612/snapchat-snap-inc-ipo-filing-valuation|title=Snapchat just filed for its IPO|last=Statt|first=Nick|date=15 November 2016|work=[[The Verge]]|access-date=15 November 2016|via=[[Vox Media]]}}</ref><ref name="wired_ipo">{{Cite news|url=http://www.wired.co.uk/article/snapchat-ipo-amount|title=Snapchat reportedly gearing up for £20 billion IPO|last=Burgess|first=Matt|date=17 October 2016|work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|access-date=15 November 2016|via=[[Condé Nast]]}}</ref><ref name="bloomberg_ipo">[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-17/snap-ipo-to-test-unicorn-founder-fortunes-tallied-at-31-billion "Snap’s IPO Will Test How Much Unicorn CEOs Are Actually Worth"]. ''Bloomberg'',  Tom Metcalf November 17, 2016</ref>

| 2016 || December || Acquisition || The company opens [[research and development]] in [[Shenzhen]] and acquires advertising and technology company Flite and [[Israel]]-based augumented reality startup Cimagine Media for $30–40 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://venturebeat.com/2016/12/24/snap-reportedly-acquired-augmented-reality-startup-cimagine-media-for-up-to-40-million/|title=Snap reportedly acquired augmented reality startup Cimagine Media for up to $40 million|website=VentureBeat|access-date=2016-12-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.recode.net/2016/12/19/14010630/snap-flite-ad-tech-aquisition|title=Snap has acquired an ad tech company called Flite|last=Wagner|first=Kurt|date=19 December 2016|work=[[Recode]]|access-date=21 December 2016|via=[[Vox Media]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/snap-inc-looks-to-land-in-china-report/|title=Snap Inc looks to land in China: Report|last=Lee|first=Cyrus|date=19 December 2016|work=[[ZDNet]]|access-date=21 December 2016|via=[[CBS Interactive]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/21/snap-inc-has-a-new-china-tech-rd-office-focused-on-spectacles/|title=Snap Inc. has a new China tech R&D office focused on Spectacles|last=Etherington|first=Darrell|date=21 December 2016|work=[[TechCrunch]]|access-date=21 December 2016|via=[[AOL]]}}</ref>

| 2016 || December || Acquisition || A partnership is issued with [[Turner Broadcasting System]] that will allow integration of Turner properties on Snapchat, while cooperating with Snap Inc. to develop original content.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/turner-snapchat-adult-swim-original-series-1201936027/|title=Turner Inks Deal With Snap, Inc. to Create Original Series, Launch Bleacher Report on Snapchat Discover|last=Schwindt|first=Oriana|date=7 December 2016|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=21 December 2016|via=[[Penske Media Corporation]]}}</ref>

| 2017 || January || Legal || The company announces that it will make the [[UK]] their international headquarters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/10/snap-crosses-the-pond-and-makes-a-home-in-the-uk/|title=Snap crosses the pond and makes a home in the UK|last=Shieber|first=Jonathan|date=2017-01-10|website=techcrunch.com|publisher=TechCrunch|access-date=2017-01-10}}</ref>

| 2017 || March 2 || Funding || Snap Inc. goes public with an [[initial public offering]] on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] on Thursday, March 2, selling 200 million priced at $17 per share, for a total of $3.4 billion of which $2.5 billion would go to the company and the remaining $900 million to early investors and executives (the announcement is made on Wednesday, March 1).<ref name=marketwatch-ipo-announcement>{{cite web|url = http://www.marketwatch.com/story/snap-ipo-is-officially-largest-in-us-since-2014-2017-03-01|title = Snap IPO is officially largest in U.S. since 2014|last = Owens|first = Jeremy|publisher = ''[[MarketWatch]]''|date = March 1, 2017|accessdate = March 3, 2017}}</ref> The share price rises to a little over $24 by the end of the day, corresponding to a market cap of $33 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/02/snapchat-snap-open-trading-price-stock-ipo-first-day.html|title = Snap closes up 44% after rollicking IPO|last = Balakrishnan|first = Anita|date = March 2, 2017|accessdate = March 3, 2017|publisher = ''[[CNBC]]''}}</ref> The price rises by another 10% on Friday, March 3, but as of March 3, Snap Inc. still has no buy ratings from analysts.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/03/snapchat-snap-stock-price-up-after-ipo.html|title = Snap explodes another 10% on second day of trading|last = Balakrishnan|first = Anita|date = March 3, 2017|accessdate = March 3, 2017|publisher = ''[[MarketWatch]]''}}</ref><ref name=latimes-ipo>{{cite web|url = http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tn-snap-winners-20170303-story.html|title = Snapchat maker's IPO has its unlikely winners and frustrated losers|publisher = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''|date = March 3, 2017|accessdate = March 3, 2017|last = Pierson|first = David|last2 = Dave|first2 = Paresh}}</ref>

* [[Timeline of Instagram]]

* [[Timeline of Twitter]]

* [[Timeline of Facebook]]

* [[Timeline of Pinterest]]

* [[Timeline of social media]]

[[Category:Technology company timelines|Snapchat]]