Since its introduction to the app store, Snapchat has made great headway in the app world. With its multitude of features and its huge user base that includes celebrities, politicians, and millions of people worldwide, Snapchat has been growing at an unprecedented rate. Over 20,000 snaps are sent every second and over 400 million Snapchat stories are created every day, according to Omnicore. TIME Magazine says that than 100 million people use Snapchat for an average of 30 minutes every single day. This begs the question that countless app makers and businesses have tried to answer: What makes Snapchat so appealing?

Filters, geo-tags, and incredible zoom capabilities are just some of Snapchat’s appealing attributes. Every few weeks, Snapchat adds a new feature to its large collection. This constant addition of new and exciting features keeps its users wanting more. For example, Snapchat’s recent addition of different lenses lets users enjoy a range of facial effects, including the face swap, which has received mixed reviews. For junior Maddie Mastras, this is her favorite feature. Sophomore Emily Curley said, “it’s weird, yet amusing,” and for senior Sean Hamilton, face swap is “hilariously terrifying.” This particular effect has dominated Snapchat stories for weeks.

The app is more than just another social media platform; it allows users to stay informed on the latest news through its unique “Live” feature. This feature allows users to contribute to stories of events around the world, ranging from occasions such as the Grammy’s to the celebration of the Chinese New Year in China to daily life in Honduras. Users can view various cultures and events from across the world simply by pressing a circle. Snapchat Discover is yet another method for users to stay updated on the latest news and trends. With several sponsors such as CNN, Food Network, ESPN, and more, the Discover Tab provides users with current events, interesting recipes, the latest sports scores, or entertaining comic strips.

Snapchat shows no sign of slowing down; in fact, it would take 10 years to view all photos that were sent through Snapchat in just the last hour! This revolutionary app allows users to feel a sense of closeness with the geotags, have a good laugh with the different lenses, and stay informed with its news features. Its ability to constantly modify itself allows it to stay relevant and appeal to users all over the world, all the time. “Snapchat makes it easy for me to see my friends’ beautiful faces,” said junior Mara Russo.

Unfortunately, like all social media, Snapchat offers ways for students to share inappropriate material and may give rise to bullying. However, Snapchat eliminates the idea of permanence by giving users the option to decide how long their photos are available, another reason it is growing in the app market. As Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegal says, “[users can] feel free to have fun and express themselves.”