Snapchat app has recently launched its 'Official Stories' which may finally provide its celebrity users a more reliable presence on the platform. Rolling out the app's own version of verified accounts, users can likewise verify celebrity accounts themselves.
A Snapchat support article states that the feature is intended to "help Snapchatters more easily discover and identify interesting Stories." The said change was spotted by several outlets, including The Verge, which in turn spotted the change via Sam Sheffer, who works for Snapchat Discover.
Now, if you search for a certain VIP account today, you'll see his or her username listed under "official stories." The company also affirms that they also get an emoji next to their name "so you know they're the real deal".
Snapchat uses this new feature called "Official Stories" to verify the accounts of some of its celebrity users, including Justin Bieber, Tiesto and Kylie Jenner. Just like a blue check mark in Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites, the app has an emoji for verified accounts, appearing to the right of stories of users you are already following.
As of this writing, Official Stories are being rolled out to a small group of Snapchatters - making it more widely available over time.
Hence, reports also said that the app has improved other features like even if a popular icon decides to use a Snapchat user name much different than their real name, it can still locate or identify them. For one, this is something Snapchat often fails at for non-celebs and other users.
Some tech sites said that the app still needs an upgrade specifically on a feature that suggests certain celebrities or brands to follow - opting the users to actively search for them.
The good news is that the company manages to continue its efforts in geenrally developing the app as well as its features.
