Snapchat started rolling out a new universal search bar on Thursday, the Californian company told TechCrunch. The new feature is now available to some Android users and should roll out worldwide in the coming weeks. Unlike the previous solution, Snapchat’s new search bar can be accessed from the top of the app’s main screen and can be used to search for posts, conversations, channels, and people. The Venice-based social media giant reportedly designed the new search feature to be as quick and accessible as possible. There’s still no word on when exactly Snapchat’s universal search will be available globally, but a worldwide launch is said to be scheduled for the near future.
Snapchat’s new search functionality improves the app with Quick Chat suggestions that act as shortcuts for Snap Stories posted by your friends, as well as messages. The feature can also be used to create groups, which serves as a quick way to connect various Snaps. Apart from other users, people can now search for Snapchat Discover channels and Our Stories. The search engine looks for channels by their keywords, while queries on Our Stories are based on their titles. The new interface also supports profile previews, accessible by tapping and holding someone’s card. Once opened, the profile preview window features shortcuts for starting a chat and viewing Stories. You can also use the new search bar to access your own profile which now displays users you often engage with.
In overall, this new addition to Snapchat significantly streamlines the user experience of the app which people were previously often describing as confusing. Between the universal search feature and the recently added navigation buttons, using Snapchat is now easier than ever, which likely won’t hurt the company’s plans to grow its user base. Simultaneously with the launch of this new functionality, Snapchat also started accepting Our Story submissions from all users, regardless of their location. Our Stories submissions also don’t have to be specified by category anymore. Instead, Snapchat’s curators will combine them in whatever way they see fit, which should result in a new type of Our Stories channels based on current trends.