Snapchat Leverages AI to Generate Personalized Bitmoji Characters for Lens+ Subscribers
Snapchat is enhancing user personalization with a new artificial intelligence-powered feature that allows Lens+ subscribers to create Bitmoji characters based on their actual likeness. The update aims to streamline avatar creation and potentially boost subscription revenue as the company diversifies its income streams.
Snapchat’s latest innovation allows users to bypass the often-tedious process of manually editing a Bitmoji character. Instead, users can simply upload a photograph, and Snap’s augmented reality tools will generate a digital avatar reflecting their appearance. As a company release explained, “Lens+ subscribers can use a special AI Lens to style their Bitmoji based on a photo and place it in their Snap. Check for the ‘Snap the Look’ prompt to try it out!” However, users should note that there may be limitations on the number of free generations available with this Lens.
The Lens+ Subscription Model
The Lens+ package, priced at $US8.99 per month, provides access to Snap’s cutting-edge AR experiments and features. This new Bitmoji generation tool is the latest addition designed to attract and retain subscribers. While the AI-generated image will appear within a Snap, it’s important to understand that it won’t automatically update a user’s existing Bitmoji.
“The result is an AI-generated image inside your Snap; it does not change the outfit saved to your Bitmoji Closet,” Snap clarified. Users who wish to permanently alter their Bitmoji’s appearance can still utilize the Avatar Designer within Snapchat or the dedicated Bitmoji app. The generated image serves as a potential template for a more realistic avatar, but the final decision rests with the user.
Driving Revenue Beyond Advertising
Snapchat’s move to expand subscription services comes as the company seeks to reduce its reliance on advertising revenue. The platform brought in $750 million from Snapchat+ subscriptions last year, demonstrating the potential of this revenue model. With app growth slowing and even experiencing declines in some markets, diversifying income streams is crucial for long-term sustainability.
One analyst noted that new features like the AI-powered Bitmoji generator are strategically designed to incentivize users to subscribe to premium services. This approach is expected to contribute to increased revenue intake for the business, bolstering its financial position in a competitive social media landscape.
Worth a look
