Snapchat launches Topic Chats: join public conversations tied to Spotlight

Snapchat is introducing “Topic Chats,” a new way for users to join public conversations about trending topics directly inside the app. Topic Chats appear as a yellow “Join the Chat” button near Spotlight videos, Stories and search results; tapping it adds you to a live discussion and surfaces related Spotlight clips.

The feature is launching first in the United States, Canada and New Zealand and will roll out in the coming weeks. Snapchat says it built Topic Chats because Spotlight revealed that many users want public spaces to comment and connect around trends — a departure from Snapchat’s longtime emphasis on private messaging.

Key features

• Join from multiple places: Topic Chats can be accessed from Chat shortcuts, the Stories page, Spotlight videos and search.
• Friends visibility: Snapchat will show if your friends are in a chat, and chats you join appear at the top of your personalized Topic Chat page.
• Privacy defaults: Profiles remain private unless you’re already friends, reducing the chance of unwanted friend requests or DMs.
• Moderation & safety: Snap plans to moderate Topic Chats and says it will use technologies including large language models (LLMs) to help ensure appropriate content and safe engagement.

Why it matters

Topic Chats brings a public-discussion layer to Snapchat’s ecosystem, bridging Spotlight’s viral clips with community conversation. For creators, it can increase engagement around clips; for users, it offers a way to discover and discuss trends without leaving the app. However, public chats also raise moderation and safety challenges, which Snap addresses with automated systems and human oversight.

What to watch

• How well moderation tools (including LLMs) handle scale and nuance in real time.
• Whether Topic Chats change the balance between private and public interaction on Snapchat.
• If the feature boosts Spotlight engagement and creator discovery.

Snapchat’s newsroom may have more details and updates (opens in a new tab): Snap Newsroom.

Discussion: Would you join public Topic Chats on Snapchat — or do you prefer the app’s private messaging approach? What safeguards would you expect for public group conversations?