Which Types of Snapchat Stories Can Make Your Brand Go Viral?
- Sweta Panigrahi
- Aug 15
- 11 min read
Snapchat might look like a playground for teens with Streaks, Bitmojis, and disappearing selfies, but big brands and small businesses alike know this app is pure gold for marketing.
It’s intimate, fast, and perfect for creating a buzz or promoting a limited-time offer. Most people think Snapchat is just about snapping pics and keeping Streaks alive, but it’s way more than that.
It’s a shortcut to finding and rewarding your most loyal fans, those ride-or-die followers who have been watching your Stories, supporting your Streaks, and cheering you on all along. What better way to discover a true brand advocate?
And the most unique part about Snapchat is that you only compete with yourself. You set the rules, make your own stories, and build a following that actually cares.
Even better, the numbers back it up. Snapchat has a whopping 850 million monthly active users, with 443 million checking in daily, and users who spend about 30 minutes a day scrolling, snapping, and interacting.
Even more exciting, 75% of users engage with AR features daily, from silly filters to playful brand experiences.
So, Snapchat isn’t just a teen hangout. It’s your brand’s playground where you can get creative, reward loyalty, and maybe even go viral.
When does your Snapchat story lose its spark?
We measured thousands of Snapchat Stories to figure out exactly how long they live and rack up views and the results might surprise you.
On average, Stories reach 95% of their total views in about 75 days. That’s right, Snapchat Stories stick around longer than almost anything else in the social media universe.
Interestingly, slow and steady Stories outperform the long game. While fewer than 40% of total views happen on day one, this is much lower than most other platforms and formats, proving that Snapchat rewards content that lasts. It gives your content a much longer shelf life than nearly all competitors.
Here’s what we recommend on Snapchat for brands:
Repost your best content around day 75: Don’t flood your followers with dozens of Stories at once. Instead, focus on posting fewer, more interesting Stories that keep people hooked.
Create evergreen, fun content: Make Stories that your audience will want to revisit, even days or weeks later.
Leverage high-performing Stories. If a Story is crushing it, don’t be shy. Turn it into Spotlight clips or Snap Ads to reach more people and keep the momentum going.
What types of Snapchat Stories should you have in your mix?
Now that you know Snapchat Stories stay relevant for over two months, it’s time to plan content that keeps delivering value.
Here are 10 Snapchat Stories that can keep your brand top of mind, engage your audience, and make the most of that long lifespan:
1. Behind the scenes
Behind-the-scenes (BTS) content is one of the most used formats for Snapchat Stories. It gives followers an exclusive, unfiltered look into moments they wouldn’t normally see.
And for the NBA, that’s pure gold. Instead of just posting highlight reels, the NBA uses BTS Stories to capture the league’s human side: the pre-game rituals, the locker-room energy, the candid bus rides, and the laughs at team dinners.
These moments make the league’s stars relatable and the organization feel like an open book.
How they do it:
Show players lacing up, stretching, or sharing inside jokes before tip-off.
Capture the camaraderie, pep talks, and victory celebrations that fans rarely get to witness.
Share snippets from charity events, player's fashion during tunnel walks, and travel days.
Why it works:
Unpolished, in-the-moment clips show the real people behind the jerseys.
Fans love reacting to content they can’t get anywhere else.
Letting followers in on these moments makes them feel like part of the team’s journey.
2. Product demos & tutorials
Product demos and tutorials are your fast pass to showing value. Snapchat’s short, snappy format is perfect for mini tutorials, quick tips, or highlighting a product in action.
These Stories don’t just tell, they show your audience why your product matters, instantly. Dior excels in this area by leveraging Snapchat's public profile to offer followers bite-sized demos, makeup hacks, and step-by-step guides using real products.
Fans get to see the products in action, which builds confidence and excitement and often leads to purchases.
How they do it:
Share quick, actionable tutorials with clear visuals.
Highlight product features in a fun, engaging way.
Mix in pro tips or hacks that make the content shareable.
Why it works:
Helps followers understand and trust your product.
Encourages repeat engagement as fans revisit tutorials for guidance.
Turns viewers into confident users and eventually loyal customers.
3. Limited time offers & flash sales
Limited-time offers and flash sales are built for urgency, and on platforms like Snapchat, they can become irresistible. Domino’s uses this strategy to turn quick bursts of content into real-time sales.
By promoting special deals that disappear in hours (or even minutes), Domino’s taps into the fear of missing out and drives instant action.
Whether it’s a “Two-for-Tuesday” deal, a surprise free topping offer, or a midnight-only discount, these time-sensitive promos make followers feel like insiders in on a secret.
How they do it:
Create a visual clock ticking down until the deal ends, building excitement.
Share promo codes only available to Story viewers, rewarding loyal followers.
Tease shots of fresh pizzas being made to spark cravings right before the offer goes live.
Why it works:
Short timeframes push customers to act now instead of later.
Snapchat followers feel special for getting early or exclusive access.
Flash sales drive a spike in orders within hours, perfect for off-peak times.
4. User-generated content
User-generated content (UGC) is a goldmine for brands, and Nike leverages it to make fans feel like part of the story.
By sharing content created by athletes, customers, and everyday fans, Nike turns its community into a living, breathing extension of the brand.
Instead of just posting campaigns, Nike highlights real people wearing their gear, sharing training progress, or showing off street-style looks. This approach humanizes the brand and inspires others to join in.
How they do it:
Feature athletes or customers posting their Nike moments, from workouts to game-day outfits.
Encourage followers to post under branded hashtags like #JustDoIt or #NikeRunning, then share the best submissions.
Invite fans to complete a fitness or creative challenge, with top entries highlighted on Nike’s social channels.
Why it works:
Real people using the products feel more relatable than professional ads.
Fans love seeing their content featured, motivating others to participate.
Highlighting user stories fosters a sense of belonging and shared identity among followers.
5. Interactive & poll stickers
Interactive polls and stickers are great for getting fans involved, and Coca-Cola knows how to do it. Instead of just posting ads, they make fans feel like they are part of the experience, from voting on new flavors to sharing their favorite Coke moments.
Coca-Cola uses Snapchat Stories to spark engagement. Whether it’s a poll asking which flavor fans want next or a sticker challenge encouraging them to share their Coke selfies.
These interactive features turn followers into active participants. It’s playful, memorable, and keeps fans coming back for more.
How they do it:
Ask fans to vote on potential new flavors or seasonal offerings.
Let followers choose between two products, campaigns, or experiences.
Encourage fans to share their own Coke moments using fun stickers in their snaps.
Why it works:
People love interacting, not just watching. Polls and stickers get them involved instantly.
Giving followers a say or spotlighting their content strengthens the connection.
When fans share their responses, it spreads excitement and conversation around Coca-Cola.
6. Event coverage & live stories
Event coverage and live stories are perfect to bring fans right into the action, and Red Bull nails it.
Instead of just posting polished content, they give followers a front-row seat to extreme sports, music festivals, and unique experiences as they happen. It’s like taking fans backstage and making them personally feel the adrenaline.
Red Bull uses Snapchat Stories to show live jumps, races, and performances. Fans can watch exclusive moments unfold, interact with polls or stickers, and feel like insiders seeing the action firsthand.
How they do it:
Share snaps from events like cliff diving, BMX competitions, or music festivals as they happen.
Add polls, quizzes, or stickers during the live story to get followers involved.
Capture key moments in real time, creating excitement and urgency for fans to tune in.
Why it works:
Real-time content makes people feel like they're part of the experience.
Watching live moments unfold generates buzz and anticipation.
Sharing authentic, unscripted moments humanizes the brand and deepens fan loyalty.
7. Storytelling & mini-series
Storytelling and mini-series are effective for keeping fans hooked. Instead of just posting trailers or promos, they create short, serialized Snapchat Stories that pull viewers into the world of their shows.
It’s like giving fans exclusive behind-the-scenes access or extra scenes, keeping them coming back for more.
Netflix uses Snapchat Stories to share mini-series about new shows, character journeys, or behind-the-scenes content. Fans follow each episode, interact with polls or stickers, and feel like they’re part of the story.
How they do it:
Follow a character’s journey or backstory across multiple snaps.
Share teaser clips from upcoming episodes in a serialized format.
Give fans a look at the making of a show, from set design to cast interviews.
Why it works:
Multi-part Stories encourage viewers to return for the next installment.
Following a character or storyline creates investment in the story.
Aligns Netflix with entertainment, binge-worthy content, and exclusive experiences, making the brand feel more immersive.
8. AR & lens-enhanced stories
AR lenses and enhanced stories let fans interact with your brand. Instead of just showing products in a static way, they let followers try on outfits virtually or play with interactive visuals, making shopping feel playful and immersive.
ASOS uses Snapchat to create augmented reality experiences where fans can see how clothes look on them, experiment with styling, or explore new collections through interactive stories.
How do they do it:
Let followers see how shoes, accessories, or clothing look on them through AR lenses.
Create stories where fans can tap, swipe, or vote on their favorite outfits.
Tie lenses to seasonal collections, promotions, or collaborations for extra engagement.
Why it works:
Fans love playing with AR and interacting with products in a new way.
Virtual try-ons reduce friction and make the experience more personal.
Interactive stories position ASOS as innovative, fun, and fashion-forward.
9. Tips & tricks
Tips and tricks give fans something useful while keeping them engaged, and LEGO does this brilliantly.
Instead of just showing finished sets, they share building hacks, creative techniques, and step-by-step tips that help fans get the most out of their bricks. It’s like having a master builder guiding you through every snap.
LEGO uses Snapchat Stories to show mini tutorials, unique building ideas, and creative ways to combine sets. Fans can follow along, vote on which designs they want to see next, or try the tips themselves at home.
How do they do it:
Share step-by-step guides for building unique or challenging designs.
Show new ways to customize sets or combine pieces for inventive builds.
Use polls or stickers to let fans choose the next build or design to feature.
Why it works:
Fans learn new techniques and get inspiration for their own creations.
Interactive elements motivate fans to participate and share their results.
Offering helpful tips positions LEGO as more than just toys, it’s a creative community.
10. Spotlights
Brands use spotlight to showcase what makes them iconic, and the Empire State Building uses it creatively.
Instead of just posting static photos, they highlight breathtaking views, special events, and Stories from visitors, giving followers a front-row seat to the excitement. It’s like letting fans experience the Empire State Building from anywhere in the world.
They use Snapchat Spotlight to feature short, captivating videos of cityscapes, seasonal light shows, behind-the-scenes tours, and visitor experiences. Fans get inspired, entertained, and connected to the landmark in a unique way.
How they do it:
Share stunning sunrise, sunset, and nighttime views from the observation deck.
Feature seasonal light shows, holiday displays, and unique celebrations.
Spotlight people visiting the building, sharing their reactions or experiences.
Why it works:
Short, visually striking clips capture the magic of the landmark.
Fans watch, share, and even plan their own visits after seeing the content.
Highlighting iconic views and experiences reinforces the Empire State Building as a must-see destination.
How can you identify your best type of content on Snapchat?
Now that you know the types of Snapchat Stories that can make your brand pop, the next step is figuring out which ones actually perform best for your audience. That’s where Measure Studio comes in.
Measure Studio helps you analyze thousands of Snapchat Stories to see which content resonates, engages, and drives the most action. Whether it’s behind-the-scenes clips, AR lenses, mini-series, or Spotlights, the platform gives you the data you need to optimize every post.
How Measure Studio helps:
Track performance metrics: From metrics like watch time to engagement rate, see exactly how your content is performing with custom dashboards.
Analyze content features: Post Content AI looks at visual elements, filters, and interactions to identify why some stories succeed.
Benchmark against the best: Benchmark your Stories against past performance and industry trends to find what consistently works.
By using Measure Studio, brands can focus on the Stories that truly stick, boost engagement, and create Snapchat content that doesn’t just vanish, it thrives.
Wrapping up
It’s time to roll up your sleeves. First things first: why not build your own AR Lens? It’s one of the coolest ways to get fans interacting with your brand.
Give your audience a mini playground right inside Snapchat, whether it’s trying on virtual sunglasses, transforming into a character, or stepping into a mini version of your world, an engaging Lens can make your brand unforgettable.
When fans play with your Lens, they are not just watching, they are participating, sharing, and spreading the word for you.
Next, take a peek inside the Snapchat Ads Library. It’s basically a treasure trove of inspiration. You can see what other brands are doing, spot trends, and discover creative ways to make your own campaigns shine.
The Ads Library shows you what’s resonating, giving you the insight to craft content that’s built for engagement instead of guessing and hoping.
Posting content is only half the battle, tracking how it performs is where the real power lies. That’s where Measure Studio comes in. With cross-platform analytics, you can see exactly which Stories, Lenses, or Ads are hitting home, compare performance across channels, and tweak your strategy so every snap counts.
Instead of wondering why one post soared and another fizzled, you’ll know and you can use those insights to make the next campaign even stronger.
The beauty of Snapchat is that it’s fast, fun, and full of opportunities to connect with fans in real-time.
But, if you pair that creative energy with data-driven insights from Measure Studio, you're not just posting content; you're building a strategy that’s smart, shareable, and designed to grow your audience.
So go ahead! Experiment, get playful, track everything, and watch your Snapchat presence shape up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of Snapchat Stories are most likely to go viral?
Stories that are fun, interactive, and shareable tend to perform best. This includes behind-the-scenes looks, product demos, limited-time offers, user-generated content, interactive polls, mini-series, AR-enhanced experiences, and Spotlight clips. The key is to create content that feels authentic, engaging, and worth revisiting.
How long do Snapchat Stories stay relevant?
Unlike other platforms, Snapchat Stories have a surprisingly long shelf life. On average, they reach 95% of their total views in about 75 days. This means even “slow and steady” content can outperform flashy, immediate posts, giving brands more time to engage followers and repurpose top-performing Stories.
How can I measure which Snapchat Stories work best for my brand?
Measure Studio allows you to track watch time, engagement rates, and audience interactions across thousands of Stories. By analyzing content features and benchmarking against past performance or industry trends, you can identify what resonates most with your audience and optimize future posts for maximum impact.