Snapchat is introducing a simplified version of its app to select users, as announced during the Snap Partner Summit on Tuesday. This "Simple Snapchat" aims to enhance user experience by decluttering the home screen, removing the Snap Map and Stories tabs, and consolidating the navigation bar into three icons: chat on the left, camera in the center, and Spotlight, Snapchat's TikTok competitor, on the right.

While Stories and Snap Map are not being completely eliminated, they will be relocated within the app. Stories will now appear at the top of the chat tab, and Snap Map will be positioned at the bottom. Users can also access Stories through the Spotlight tab, which will be enhanced by a new recommendation algorithm from Snap. This update aims to create a feed that closely resembles TikTok, integrating short-form content from creators, brands, and friends' Stories into a single scrollable feed.

However, the dedicated Discover section does not seem to be included in Simple Snapchat. Launched in 2015, this feature allows brands to advertise with short-form videos in a space separate from friends’ content. Under the new test, Spotlight will feature content from publisher partners, but it remains unclear whether videos from the Discover section will be integrated directly into Spotlight.

The goal of Simple Snapchat is to emphasize three key areas that Snapchat wants to enhance: taking pictures, chatting with friends, and providing short-form entertainment to better compete with TikTok. Earlier this month, CEO Evan Spiegel noted that these changes aim to make the app more accessible, likely addressing long-standing concerns that Snapchat is challenging for older generations to navigate.

Currently, Simple Snapchat is being rolled out to a limited group of users in select countries, according to a company spokesperson.

Historically, Snapchat’s core audience has not reacted favorably to significant updates to the user experience. In 2018, the app introduced its first major redesign, which moved Stories between private messages. This change faced considerable backlash from celebrities, advertisers, and even led to a Change.org petition signed by 1.2 million users. In its attempt to attract a broader audience, Snapchat inadvertently alienated its loyal user base.

Now, six years later, Snapchat is making another attempt with a different update. The company is reinstating Stories in the private messaging section of the app, despite the backlash it received last time. However, this time, Stories will feature a dedicated bar in a prominent position, which could help alleviate user concerns stemming from the previous redesign.