Snapchat Is Adding Paid Power-Ups To AR Lenses
Additional monetization options are on the way for Snapchat’s augmented reality Lenses.
Today marked the start of Lens Fest 2022, Snap’s annual developer conference centered around its global community of augmented reality (AR) creators. The company kicked things off with a bang earlier this morning with the reveal of a new feature that allows select developers to sell premium upgrades to their AR Lenses.
According to Snap, users can purchase additional content—such as digital goods, effects, and tools—using Snap Tokens, Snapchat’s official in-app currency. The company is currently testing the feature with a closed group of creators and developers as part of an initial pilot program.
“AR is core to the Snapchat experience today, and over time, we see even greater opportunities for hardware to bring it to a new dimension,” said the company in an official update. “Our ambition is that AR can be even more natural through glasses that let you use your hands to interact with AR around you.”
“The advanced hardware and software, distribution channels, and ways we support growth through the Snap AR platform all work together to fuel the creativity and businesses of our global AR community,” added the company.
Participating Lenses will begin rolling out over the next few weeks throughout select locations in Australia and New Zealand, according to Engadget. You’ll find them in the Lens Carousel and Lens Explorer on your Snapchat app, available for free on iOS and Android devices.
Over the past two years, Snap has invested heavily in its catalog of AR Lenses as well as its line of Spectacles AR glasses. According to the company, AR studio Paper Triangles generated roughly $4 million developing Lenses for a number of major brands in 2021.
This past September, the company announced that it was shifting its long-term focus toward community growth, revenue growth, and AR technology after reducing the size of its team by 20%. For more information on Snap’s restructuring visit here.
Image Credit: Snap Inc.
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