This document summarizes the state of major social chat apps in late 2014, including WhatsApp, Kik, Snapchat, and Path. It discusses user growth, key features, and monetization strategies for each app. While WhatsApp remains focused solely on messaging with over 48 billion messages sent daily, Kik has doubled in size to 100 million users and allows more opportunities for advertising through shared content and partnerships with brands. Snapchat also sees increased usage but struggles to attract major advertisers due to security issues and its image. Path focuses on private sharing between close friends and generates revenue through subscriptions and in-app purchases. The document concludes by noting Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram's responses to these rising chat apps.
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1. A WAR OF WORDS
Whos winning the battle for chat app supremacy?
息 2014 TBG
2. SOCIAL CHAT APPS
In April last year we reviewed the movers and shakers
in social chat apps: WhatsApp, Kik, Snapchat and
Path
See Chat, sharing and the future of social
media here
8 months on, well take another look and see how the
landscape has changed and if there are any
opportunities for branded content
Well also see how the major social networks have
responded
息 2014 TBG
6. WHATSAPP
MONETISATION
$0.99 a year after a free trial period of one year but
those who installed prior to the subscription payment
model will not be charged
If 50% of their 400 million active users are
subscribers, then thats $200 million a year revenue
息 2014 TBG
7. KIK
For brands, Kik is a more
interesting prospect, as they are
building a platform where shared
content is viewed within the app
This means more user time within
the platform, and more opportunity
for advertising and the
distribution of branded content
息 2014 TBG
8. KIK
Kik has doubled in size from
50 million to 100 million
users since April
640 million messages are
sent per day
Source
息 2014 TBG
10. KIK
MONETISATION
Kiks founder said that he sees a future for monetising
within Kiks Cards via advertisements and mobile
shopping, while he hopes to keep the core messaging
service a pure experience
息 2014 TBG
Source
11. SNAPCHAT
Snapchat, the self-destructive
image sharing app is growing fast
but it has some image problems
Security leaks, hacks to save images
and its sexting reputation means its
a no-go for most brands
息 2014 TBG
12. SNAPCHAT
Users share 400 million
snaps per day, up from 150
million in April
The app has around
60 million installs and
30 million monthly
active users
息 2014 TBG
13. SNAPCHAT
Snapchat has unveiled
Stories a kind of news feed
where users can post a snap
that expires in 24 hours
This opened up the platform for
brands to broadcast messages
to followers in a more traditional
way (and the possibility for
Snapchat to eventually charge
brands for this)
息 2014 TBG
14. SNAPCHAT
MONETISATION
Snapchat will struggle to attract the big advertisers
because of its slightly dirty image.
Brands that use the platform and are comfortable
with this image (like Taco Bell and MTVs Geordie
Shore) could eventually pay to reach Snapchats niche
demographic.
息 2014 TBG
Source
15. PATH
Path isnt a dedicated chat app,
but it does have messaging
features
Tt also caters for users looking
for a more private social
sharing experience, limiting
friends to 150
息 2014 TBG
16. PATH
Doubling its registered users
since April, Path now has 20
million users
Path, like Whatsapp is
resolutely ad- and
brand-free
息 2014 TBG
18. PATH
MONETISATION
Users can buy in-app items or sign up to the premium
subscription service
Users pay a hefty $14.99 a year to access the full suite
of stickers for chat and filters for shared photos
息 2014 TBG
Source
19. SOCIAL CHAT APPS
To see how Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have
responded to the rise in chat apps and find out how
Twitter is involved in developing a cross-platform
native ad server visit Inside Social:
inside-social.tumblr.com
Get the insiders view on all things social
息 2014 TBG