Understanding Snapchat Features

Key features of Snapchat

Snapchat, one of the most popular social networking apps, sports a multitude of features that make communicating and sharing media with friends and family a breeze. Among these features are the ability to send temporary, self-deleting photo and video messages to your contacts. Not only can you send these private messages, but Snapchat also allows you to post photos or videos to your "Story," viewable by all your Snapchat friends. Furthermore, Snapchat has a variety of filters and lenses, including facial recognition, geo-filters, and Bitmojis, allowing users to personalize their snaps. Knowledge about these features is essential in spotting any discrepancies if you suspect someone has blocked you on Snapchat.

Snapchat User Interface

Snapchat's user interface differs from other social networking sites. After opening the app, you're immediately taken to the camera screen. From there, you can swipe left to view your chats, right to view stories from your friends, and up to view your profile. Added features like the Snap Map, where you can see your friends' location, and Discover, where you can see stories from celebrities, brands, and news outlets, are accessed by swiping down or up respectively from the camera screen. Understanding Snapchat's interface will help users navigate through the app quicker and spot signs of being blocked more effectively.

Understanding Snapchat Privacy Settings

One of the critical features Snapchat offers its users is customizable privacy settings. These settings allow users to control who can see their stories, location, and contact them. For instance, users can choose to have their stories viewable by everyone who adds them, only their friends, or a custom list of friends. Similarly, users can select who can contact them directly, with options ranging from "Everyone" to "My Friends." Being familiar with these privacy settings is necessary to differentiate between being removed as a friend, being blocked, or simply being subjected to a user's privacy preferences.

Detecting who might've blocked you

Scout their Snapchat profile

One way to see if someone has blocked you on Snapchat is to check their profile. If you're blocked, you will not be able to see their Snapchat score, which is the number of snaps they've sent and received. In addition to that, you will not be able to see their stories or Snap map location, even if you previously could. However, not being able to see these details does not exclusively mean you've been blocked; it can also mean you've been deleted as a friend or that they've changed their privacy settings. Thus, pay attention to these changes when scouting for signs.

Attempt to send a message

Another way to check if you've been blocked is to send a message to the suspected user. If you've been blocked, your message will fail to send. In normal circumstances, a "delivered" tag will appear under your sent message, which changes to "opened" once the recipient sees your message. However, if you're blocked, the message will immediately fail to send. However, it's essential to remember that this can also happen due to connection problems, so it's best to check using other methods mentioned.

Create a new account

If all else fails, create a new Snapchat account to verify if you've been blocked. If you can see the details on the new account you couldn't on your old account, it's safe to say that you've been blocked. Keep in mind that creating new accounts to avoid blocks borders on harassment, so it's best not to interact with the person who blocked you using your new account.

After Being Blocked: Recourses and Recommendations

Respect their decision

If you discover that you've indeed been blocked on Snapchat, it's best to respect the other person's decision. The reasons for blocking can range from wanting personal space, quarrelling, or feeling uncomfortable. Whatever the reason may be, forcing your presence onto someone who blocked you is not recommendable or respectful.

Reflect on your actions

Following the discovery, take time to reflect on your actions. If you were blocked due to offending or harassing behaviour, use this opportunity to better yourself and make amends, where possible.

Seek help or advice

In some cases, being blocked may hurt a lot, especially if it comes from someone previously close to you. If you're feeling upset or distressed by it, talking about it can often help. Speak to a friend, a family member, or a mental health professional about your feelings to help start the healing process.