Snow, a South Korean app, is essentially a Snapchat copycat and it has taken Asia by storm. The beloved puppy face filter on Snapchat can be found in a similar format on Snow along with many other filters. According to the NY Times, Snow is targeted towards the Asian market with emojis of popular Korean dishes and KPop stars. It also has similar emojis targeted towards other Asian nations such as Japan and China.
It is common knowledge that China has limited and blocked many forms of social media. Snapchat is one such social media app that has been banned in mainland China which has allowed Snow to infiltrate one of largest markets in the world.
Instant Messaging Copycats
The Snow App is Asia's Eerily Similar Version of Snapchat
Trend Themes
1. Snapchat Copycats - The success of Snow in Asia indicates a market demand for Snapchat-like apps with localized features.
2. Localized Filters - The popularity of Snow's filters tailored to specific Asian markets highlights the potential for customization and localization in social media apps.
3. Alternative Social Media Apps - The rise of Snow as a substitute for Snapchat in China suggests an opportunity for developing innovative social media apps for markets with restricted access.
Industry Implications
1. Social Media - The success and adoption of Snow demonstrates the potential for disruptive innovation in the social media industry through localization and tailored features.
2. E-commerce - The popularity of Snow's filters featuring emojis of popular Korean dishes and KPop stars presents an opportunity for e-commerce platforms to integrate similar features for promoting products and celebrities.
3. Technology - The ban on Snapchat in China and the subsequent rise of Snow highlights the potential for disruptive innovation in technology and app development to cater to specific regional demands.