#Testing – A Snap map clone from Facebook titled ‘World’
Leaked screenshots indicate a Snap map clone from Facebook is in the works and it’s being called ‘World’ as per the images.
There are few Snapchat features that have been left untouched by Facebook, but another indigenous Snap exclusive might soon be cloned by the social networking giant. If you are unaware of Snapchat’s Snap map feature, it displays the current locations of Snapchat friends to each other by showing their Bitmoji avatars on a world map. Additionally, it also allows users to watch Stories from a particular location such as an awards show, concert or a rally perhaps. Public Stories that are submitted to Snapchat through the Our Stories section and the Snap map clone from Facebook functions on similar principles.
The Next Web’s Matt Navarra tweeted the screenshots provided by WABetaInfo, and wrote the following,
NEW: Facebook is testing a Snapchat / Snapmap-like feature for Stories
Appears to let you select to show Stories to ‘World’ + view other Stories or photos on a map if shared to ‘World’
(Screenshot: @WABetaInfo) pic.twitter.com/gsqjwFG9YL
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) February 6, 2018
Also Read: Cross posting Instagram Stories to Facebook Stories finally arrives
You can view the images of the potential Snap Map clone below,
Twitter users were obviously amused by the prospect of Facebook cloning another one of Snapchat’s features as part of their endless crusade against the ephemeral photo sharing platform in the battle for teen SM users.
I don't get it. I don't understand
— Joaco (@joaco7606) February 6, 2018
This will only work if they are able to get a ton of everyday, average users to upload content to FB Stories (similar to how SnapMap works). MAY work on Insta, but even there, it's predominately celebs/influencers/brands that upload to Stories… most "users" are just "viewers".
— Turner Novak (@TurnerNovak) February 6, 2018
The snag is, last time I checked not a lot of people were posting stories on Facebook. It would make a lot of sense for Instagram though.
— José Melgar (@josemelgarMKT) February 6, 2018
another nail in the Snapchat coffin pic.twitter.com/m7S4xDotuI
— Thomas Broadus (@TbroOnline) February 6, 2018
As pointed out by Twitter user Turner Novak, not enough people are currently using Facebook Stories for World to make sense, although Facebook has been trying to wiggle its way out of this misery by introducing cross posting Stories from Instagram and WhatsApp.
For now, the Snap map clone from Facebook is only under the test phase, but if it is ever rolled out globally, would it help Facebook salvage user adoption for Facebook Stories, or would eventually fizzle out?
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