Snapchat Rolls Out Event Planning Feature 'Plans'

Snapchat has introduced a new feature called Plans, which allows users to organize real-life gatherings directly within the app. The tool, reported by Engadget, enables event creation for up to 200 people and is accessible from the 'My Plans' section of a user's profile.

According to Snap, over a third of its core users already use group chats to coordinate meetups. Plans aims to streamline this by providing a dedicated space for event organization and invite tracking. Invitations are sent via direct messages, and recipients can respond with 'going,' 'can't go,' or 'maybe.' The feature also includes Snapchat-specific elements like Bitmoji-themed cover art.

All events created through Plans are private, visible only to the creator and invitees, though any invitee can view the guest list. However, the initial rollout does not include the ability to add location details, despite Snapchat's widely used Snap Map. A spokesperson told Engadget that the company is 'actively working on' adding location information, but it remains unclear whether it will integrate with Snap Map.

The addition of Plans is notable given Snapchat's longstanding position that it is not a social media platform. The feature also raises questions about its utility for planning in-person events without location specifics. Engadget's report suggests that Snap may have insights into how its younger user base organizes gatherings that differ from conventional expectations.

For now, Plans is available to all users, but the lack of location details may limit its effectiveness for certain types of events. Snapchat has not provided a timeline for when location support might be added. As with any new feature, it remains to be seen how widely it will be adopted and whether it will evolve to include more robust planning tools.

This development is based on information from Engadget, which obtained details from Snap and a company spokesperson. The feature is currently live, and users can start creating events immediately.