Snapchat is expanding its features with the introduction of Arrival Notifications, allowing users to inform friends and family when they reach various destinations. Following the success of its "Home Safe" feature, this new addition will enable users to set up alerts for locations beyond their home, making it easier to keep loved ones updated.
On Monday, the social media platform unveiled that users can now create one-time or recurring alerts for different places, automating the process of sharing their arrival status. The company highlighted that these notifications can be used for everyday situations, such as letting someone know you've returned from a trip or when you arrive at a regular class or meeting, eliminating the need to send a manual message.
"Arrival Notifications are designed for convenience, ensuring you can effortlessly keep your friends informed about your whereabouts," the company stated in a recent blog post.
Similar to the Home Safe alerts, users can only send Arrival Notifications to friends with whom they choose to share their location. It's important to note that location sharing on Snap Map is disabled by default, meaning no one can view your location or receive alerts unless you explicitly allow it. One-time notifications will expire after being sent or within 24 hours.
To utilize this feature, users must share their location with a trusted friend. They can then access their friendship profile and navigate to "Arrival Notifications." From there, they can select a location on the map and assign a personalized name, such as "yoga class" or "study group." Users can choose between a one-time alert or a recurring notification, prompting Snapchat to notify their friend upon arrival.
This feature launch coincides with Snapchat's announcement that its Snap Map has surpassed 400 million monthly active users, highlighting its growing popularity.
Initially launched in 2017, Snap Map allowed users to view friends' locations and explore public snaps worldwide. The feature has since evolved, offering users the ability to discover local hotspots and activities.
With the addition of Home Safe and Arrival Notifications, Snapchat aims to enhance its competitive edge against location-sharing services like Life360 and Apple's "Find My."
