Life

What's That New Paperclip On Snapchat?

by Sarah Fielding
Snapchat

I would say that at least 50 percent of what I send my friends are links. Any interesting story I want them to read, event I think we should attend, or quiz I want them to take gets sent their way — so I'm always looking for new ways to share links with all my friends. And now, thanks to Snapchat, I have a whole new method of sharing to be excited about: Snapchat has rolled out a slew of new tools, one of which is called "Paperclip." While this immediately made me think of "Clippy," the helpful paperclip on Microsoft Word (don't lie, you totally did too), Snapchat's Paperclip serves a very different purpose. So what is the Paperclip on Snapchat?

The tool serves as a way to attach links to your Snaps. Appearing in the Vertical Toolkit section of the app (which appears after you record a video or snap a photo), Paperclip allows users to send links the same way they send pictures and videos: quickly and with a time limit. Want to ensure someone reads something right away? This is a great way to do that. And now, you're probably wondering how exactly to use the Paperclip feature:

1. Update Your App

Sarah Fielding/Bustle

To use Paperclip, make sure your Snapchat app is updated in the app store.

2. Take A Photo Or Video

Snapchat

Nothing fancy about this: Take a photo or video the same way you always have.

3. Click On The Paperclip Icon

Snapchat

Once your photo or video has been taken, you will see the Vertical Toolkit pop up as usual on the upper right side of your screen. Now, you should see the Paperclip icon in the lineup. Click it to proceed.

4. Enter Your Link

Snapchat

Once you click on the Paperclip, a screen will pop up prompting you to enter the link you wish to send. Type it in there, and then send your snap off.

Additionally, when you are the one receiving the link, reading it is quite easy. Simply swipe up while viewing the Snap, and the website will open within the app.

Snapchat has been blazing a trail of innovation lately, as we saw with their recently created Snap Map, followed by the ability to create filters in the Snapchat app. I'm excited to see what else Snapchat has in store for us. In the meantime, I'll be sending my friends about a million links with my flower crowned face on them.