Snapchat unveiled its latest plan to undercut a competing platform.
The social media company’s new plan, called Spotlight, seeks to replicate another video-based social media application: TikTok. In Spotlight, Snapchat users will be able to submit their personal snaps “for the opportunity to earn a share of more than $1 million that we’re distributing to creators every day,” according to a Monday statement from the platform.
According to the guidelines, snaps submitted for Spotlight will not be accepted if they violate copyright laws or are not appropriate for “a 13+ audience.” They cannot show gambling, tobacco, weapons, controlled substances, or underage drinking. Snaps of people trying to sell products are not allowed.
The company said payment for Spotlight snaps will be determined by a proprietary formula, which takes into account various engagement metrics.
Spotlight will first arrive in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and France. The platform announced that it plans to expand it to additional countries. In most countries, users only need to meet the app’s age requirement, 13 years old, to be qualified to submit a snap for Spotlight. But, in some countries, including France, Germany, and Ireland, the user must be 16 years old or older.
With its new plan, Snapchat appears to be entering TikTok’s market. The platform is hugely popular among teenagers and young adults, but some are worried that TikTok’s connection with China could make it a security risk. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is Chinese, and it is unclear how much information regarding China’s influence on the app regulators will be able to draw from.
As a result, U.S. government officials, including President Trump, have considered the possibility of banning the app. Earlier this month, the app was granted a 15-day extension by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. to get a possible deal approved. That means the Treasury Department decision won’t need to be made until Friday.
