Google unveils Snapchat-style format for its AMP stories

Snapchat has got another copier in the industry.

Google has launched its AMP “Visually Rich’ stories today which are similar to Snapchat’s stories format. Google is introducing a feature for publishers through which they can share pictures, videos in its search engine. It’s a “moble-focussed format for developing news and information as visually rich, tap-through stories”.

Moreover, the template is free and available for everyone. There are no ads in AMP stories, which hints towards a distraction-free tool for Google users.

Google’s AMP stories have the ability to transform quick short mobile magazine format which would be very effective for publishers to work more creatively and to produce easy-to-read articles. This format also attracts young generation through this story format as Google has adopted this style from Snapchat and everyone knows that Snapchat has mostly young users under its umbrella.

Rudy Galfi product manager for AMP at Google said in a blog post
“AMP stories are built on the technical infrastructure of AMP to provide a fast, beautiful experience on the mobile web.”

The publishers which have been working with Google in developing AMP stories for the web are; Time Warner’s CNN, Hearst, Mashable, Meredith, Mic, Vox Media and Washington Post. If you want to preview the AMP stories feel free to click on the link.

Meanwhile, Snapchat is still cool and welcoming the search giant.

“Our ambition at Snapchat is to empower great storytelling, and we think we have pioneered the best format for doing that on mobile. We’re delighted to see that the industry is starting to form around that, and hope that it will encourage more newsrooms to invest in teams that focus on made-for-mobile content.” said, Nick Beel VP of Snapchat.

Snapchat was the one who came up with the idea of visual stories in 2015, sooner and later other social media platforms joined in this discovery including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and now even Google.

In addition, Google has also announced to bring AMP tech to Gmail, to make mails more connected and creative for mail’s senders and receivers.