Is Snapchat the future of video? They are definitely paving the way for new consumption tactics – and it doesn’t look like they’re going away anytime soon.

Can’t argue numbers – more is more!

Snapchat has over 150 million daily users, and more than 10 billion video views daily. Facebook and Instagram are only bringing in about 8 billion video views per day, collectively. Snapchat has a pretty strong lead here, so we should probably be paying attention.

Youtube is over.

Ouch. We know, it’s the end of an era, and it feels weird. As Youtube struggles to stay relevant and Facebook is still figuring out Gen Z, Snapchat already figured it out.  Unlike Youtube and Facebook, Snapchat is mobile only – meaning there is no browser to check. This is a key distinction when evaluating how Snap is replacing old forms of media.

Customization is no longer optional.

In our mobile-first world, we are faced with the constant need for instant stimulation and gratification. Snapchat gives users an outlet to express their creativity – enabling easy and fun customization. Slow it down, speed it up, throw on that puppy filter – there are so many ways to have fun with it. The introduction of custom geofilters was a smart way to increase engagement, allowing users to bring Snap into any notable event.

Vertical is the new Black.

It’s 2017. We haven’t seen anyone rotate their phone – unless they’re streaming Netflix while working out – in a hot minute. After the noticeable success of Snapchat’s vertical approach, Facebook and Instagram followed suit. Thanks to snap, vertical is the new black, and we’re never going back.

In summary:

1. Youtube is losing traction while Snapchat is gaining momentum
2. Vertical video is here to stay
3. Fast, customizable creative outlets are necessary
4. Millennials are all over snap, so you should be too