Snapchat introduced Snap Map in 2018, and it was absolutely a game changer. It is unique, innovative and adds a whole new level of interactivity to the app. And since then, Snapchat has brought some amazing new features to the table. One of them is exploration activity or map exploration.
Quick Answer: With Explore Activity, you can now see snaps sent by your friends and others around the world, along with their location. A heat map is displayed to show the activity level of people in a given area. If you see red on the map, that means a lot of snaps are being sent from that location.
Map Explore is not limited to friends and family; it makes the application more global and interesting. It’s a great way to see what’s going on in other parts of the world and even connect with people you might not have met otherwise.
Let’s take a closer look at the Explore activity and how you can get the most out of it.
How to use the Explore activity on Snapchat?
First, make sure you have the latest version of Snapchat installed, as this feature is still being updated and may not be fully available in your region yet.
Launch the app and select the “Pin” icon in the lower left corner of the screen or open the camera and swipe right twice. The Snap Map window then opens, displaying a world map with color-coded areas.
The colors indicate the level of activity in this area:
- Red means that a large number of images are sent.
- Yellow means that there are few images.
- Green indicates very low activity.
The small circles indicate the friends who have authorized the sharing of their location. If you zoom in, you can see their Bitmoji characters and the snaps they’ve shared there.
You can also view public Snaps from specific locations by tapping on the location. For example, if you tap on Paris, you’ll see all public photos uploaded from the Eiffel Tower or other Paris hotspots. It’s a great way to explore new places and see what’s going on there.
Three Instant Map Layers
You can also further customize the map by switching between layers. The three layers available are:
Layer 1: Friends – Show only your friends on the map
Tap on the “Friends” icon at the bottom right of the screen. The map will open with your friends’ locations only.
Information: The Snap map only displays the location of your friends who have chosen to share their location with you.
Layer #2: Explore – Snaps from high traffic areas around the world
To access the Explore layer, tap the “World” icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
Map Explorer collects public snaps from a place and shows you the story of that place through the eyes of the people there.
For example, if many people take photos of a football match, their stories will be featured on Map Explorer.
Layer 3: Memories – Your contributions to the map
To access your memories, tap on the “photo” icon located just below the “World” icon in the top left corner of the screen .
Memories are actually all the photos you sent with the location. They show all the places you’ve been and the photos you’ve shared.
Frequently asked questions
What is the “Live Location” function of Snap Map?
Thanks to the “Live location” function, you can share your current position with your friends. You have the possibility to activate the localization for selected friends and for a specific period.
Open the app and select the “Pin” icon in the lower left corner of the screen to share your location. Tap on the small arrow in the center of the screen, then on “Share Live Location”. Follow the instructions to share your location with your friends.
Conclusion
Explore Activity is a great addition to Snapchat and makes the app more engaging. It brings people from all over the world together in one place and lets you see what’s happening in other parts of the world. It’s also a great way to connect with friends and see what they’re up to.
