Snapchat is an immensely popular app, especially in the U.S. The app allows you to send out such photos, videos and text which self-destruct after a definite time. Facebook tried to rip off the idea by launching its own Poke app which offered similar features but that attempt pretty much backfired.

Snapchat already has a significant user base, with the company claiming that by September 2012, users were sending out 20 million ‘snaps’ every day. The app was considered the highest ranked photography apps and has recently been valued at $70 million.

Apparently, the mass appeal of a self-destructing photo, video or text led Facebook to throw together its own app offering exactly the same features. According to reports, Mark Zuckerberg himself was involved in writing down the code for the app.

However, when Facebook did release the app, most tech analysts were quick to criticize the social network for imitating Snapchat so closely. Facebook was lambasted for utterly lacking innovation and ripping off others’ ideas.

Snapchat, on the other hand, was rather mild in responding. It didn’t need to, since Facebook’s move backfired and a lot of new users became aware of Snapchat, lining up to join the service. Ever since Facebook launched the Poke app, Twitter mentions for Snapchat have grown by nearly 6 times!

The overall popularity and user base of the service has also surged significantly. At the same time, Facebook’s app has failed to gained much traction. What seemed like a tough competition for Snapchat has indeed proved to be a blessing in disguise for it.

Courtesy: Business Week

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