What Is Snap Spotlight and How to Get Started

If you’ve ever wanted to be in the spotlight, but on your own terms, then Snapchat may just have the answer for you. Introducing Snapchat Spotlight… it’s like TikTok, but newer and shinier. Since launching, over 125 million users in 14 countries have engaged with the Spotlight feature which supports and rewards top-rated creators and brands with a unique ‘$1 million a day’ incentive.

FIRST CAME SNAPCHAT...

Snapchat began as a photo and video-based platform for teens and millennials to share content which disappeared into the ether forever after 10 seconds. It was fast and exciting. Whilst parents were still stalking inactive Facebook profiles, Snapchatters were busy racking up healthy Snap scores. 

Snapchat has since grown into one of the social media supergiants, influencing many other platforms to mimic some of its original features like the augmented reality (AR) filters and Stories. But the social media world is all about evolution, and Snapchat and its many competitors have had to constantly consider - what next? 

THEN CAME SPOTLIGHT

Enter Snapchat Spotlight, which is now very much in the...well, spotlight. The promotional video opens with the tagline: ‘Top creators can earn a share of more than 1 million dollars, every day. Lean back, watch and pick your favorites’. This incentivised marketing feels very different to its rivals over at Instagram and TikTok: much more community-based and inclusive.

SNAPCHAT SPOTLIGHT - THE NEED TO KNOW STUFF

Spotlight shone its first light back in November 2020 to 250 million daily Snapchat users and has seen the platform enjoy enormous growth (as of April 2021, the Snapchat daily users figure sat at 280 million).

Spotlight follows the same community guidelines as Snapchat: age restrictions apply - only 16+ users are eligible for the daily pool share (sorry kids) - and content should remain suitable for all audiences (sorry adults). There are a few requirements too: no images, only video; all Snaps must be vertical; the video must contain original content (no infringements here, please) and should not attempt to sell products, services or promote sponsors. 

And those looking to get on the leaderboard should bring a creative mind ready to utilise all the Snapchat tools - lenses, GIFs and sounds. Originality is key and the Spotlight hashtag heightens the chance of better exposure. No one ever said free money was easy to earn.

THE MAIN FEATURES OF SPOTLIGHT

To find Spotlight on the Snapchat app, swipe along to the far right or find the play button icon. Despite only launching six months ago, it’s a pretty hectic space. Let’s take a moment to check out the main features:

• Profiles default to private, offering levels of anonymity to creators.

• Snaps can be up to 60 seconds long and play on a continuous loop until you swipe to the next clip.

• All filters and AR features are available - just use the in-app scan feature on your camera to find them.

• There is no comment feature available on Snaps (a major plus as you’ll see below).

COMPARISON WITH THE COMPETITION - BETTER REGULATION AND A ‘$1 MILLION A DAY’ INCENTIVE

With anything in the social media world, if you hit on something good, competitors will take note. If you hit on something really good, you’re guaranteed your competitors will make a clone. But how does Snapchat Spotlight compare to other apps?

REGULATION

There is no comment section on Spotlight Snaps. It's a bold move from Snapchat not to have an engagement tool like this on such a viral platform, but one major positive is that no trolls can ruin the good vibes. Additionally, Spotlight will moderate regularly and has zero tolerance for political advertising or misinformation submissions.

‘$1 MILLION DOLLAR A DAY’ INCENTIVE

Successful content creators on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok have always made money. However, Spotlight feels like a more level playing field with all Snapchat users getting the chance to make money without the need for sponsorship. Currently, Spotlight receives around 175,000 daily submissions, all looking to gain a share of the ‘$1 million a day’ incentive.

Payouts are determined by a proprietary equation (don’t ask me - I’m a writer, not a mathematician) which my research tells me is an financial allocation based on a per-view basis benchmarked against other highly rated Snaps on Spotlight over the period of one day - Pacific Time, not GMT. To be eligible under the Spotlight terms, your Snap must reach the ‘value threshold’ (at least $250). 

The terms and conditions explicitly state only a small percentage of creators will make money, but the removal of backing sponsors and advertising just makes the community feel more equal. Not surprisingly, this incentive has inspired YouTube to create its own short-video feature Shorts, which will offer creators thousands each month for content with the most viewer engagements.

THE SOCIALDAY WAY - OUR STEP-BY-STEP OF HOW TO USE SPOTLIGHT

SET UP

If you haven’t already got Snapchat, all you need to do is download the app and sign up. The username is set for life so use some foresight! Existing Snapchatters - you’re already set.

BEST PRACTICE

Spotlight best practice is quite specific: film vertically with clear sound and incorporate Creative Tools like lenses, captions and GIFs. Use the registered library of music to avoid copyright issues. More technically, Snapchat advises usage of an aspect ratio of 3:4, a 640px minimum horizontal resolution and that you fill the frame - no letterboxing.

CREATING CONTENT

It works the same way as sending a normal Snap to one of your contacts. One thing to note, the Spotlight option will not appear at upload if the video is too short (otherwise you’ll end up like me, getting more and more frustrated with dodgy hair and moustache filters).

UPLOADING

Uploading is very simple:

• Record or select a video.

• Select Send To:

• Use the Spotlight option at the top above your contacts and groups and use a suitable hashtag.

• Hit Okay to agree to the guidelines

• Select the blue confirm arrow to upload.

You’re now in the spotlight! Your Snaps can be found under your profile where you can see how many users have liked and shared it, you can highlight your Snaps to gain more exposure and if necessary, you can delete it (as I did with mine immediately after testing it). If your Snap makes money, you’ll be contacted through the Chat feature.

And that’s it. Pretty easy, right?

SUMMARY

As with anything social media, if you’re looking to make sizable revenue, you need to get in early and fast. YouTube started it all, Instagram and TikTok built on the influencer spike and it feels like Spotlight will now succeed them. It’s fresh, slick and offers a handsome reward if you’re bold, creative and willing to experiment. Good luck!

DON’T FORGET, if you enjoyed this content, join SocialDay's Social Media Marketing Facebook Group' - to join in on conversations about everything new in social media and sign up to SocialDay’s weekly round-up email for more updates and top tips.

Latest features