Snap has officially decided to cancel its plans for a simpler three-tab Snapchat, just seven months after testing it. The move was announced in the company’s Q1 2025 earnings report, which also showed a rise in revenue and hints of new AI features coming soon.
Users Reject Minimalist Snapchat
The redesign removed the Snap Map and Stories tabs, replacing them with a minimal new layout focused on chat, camera, and Spotlight. But Snap CEO Evan Spiegel admitted the new design didn’t win over most users. Heavy users relied on Stories and Snap Map, which disappeared in the experiment.
Spiegel said the company learned a lot from trying out the redesign. Still, it became clear that the new layout made the app harder to use. “We found it difficult, especially for power users… to switch to the three-tab version,” he told investors. Now, Snap is changing direction again.
Five-Tab Interface to Make a Comeback
Instead of going simpler, Snap is testing a five-tab version that keeps all current features. The new design makes Spotlight easier to see and use, giving the app more of a TikTok-style feel. The company’s letter to shareholders says this layout combines the good parts of the old and new designs. It keeps the tile-based discovery and brings back the Map tab.
Snap also shared that AI features like My AI grew over 55% in the US last year. They teased more AI and AR tools arriving later this year.
Daily Users Slip in North America, But Global Growth Continues
The company added 38 million daily users globally compared to last year. But in North America, it lost 1 million users in the first quarter, dropping to 99 million DAUs there. Overall, Snap now has 460 million daily users worldwide and more than 900 million active users each month.
Snap’s revenue for the first quarter hit $1.36 billion, a 14% increase from last year. The boost came from more Snapchat+ subscriptions and better advertising tools.
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