Snapchat
Public Profile

What Is a Snapchat Public Profile?

A Snapchat public profile is a permanent, discoverable profile page that allows anyone on Snapchat to find and view your content — even people who haven't added you as a friend. Unlike your regular private profile, which is only visible to your friends list, a public profile acts as your public-facing identity on the platform.

Public profiles were originally introduced for creators and businesses but are now available to all users who meet the basic requirements. They give you a dedicated space to share public stories, showcase Lenses you've created, display your subscriber count, and build an audience beyond your existing friend circle.

Think of it as your Snapchat landing page. When someone searches for your username or finds you through Discover, Snap Map, or shared content, they'll land on your public profile first. It's how creators, influencers, and brands establish their presence on Snapchat.

How to Make a Public Profile on Snapchat

Creating a public profile on Snapchat takes just a few minutes. Here's how to set up your public profile step by step:

1. Open Snapchat and tap your Bitmoji or profile icon in the top-left corner of the camera screen.
2. Scroll down past your Snap Map card and look for the "Create Public Profile" option. On some versions, this may appear under a "Public Profile" section.
3. Tap "Create Public Profile" and review the information about what a public profile includes.
4. Confirm your display name. This is the name that will appear on your public profile. You can change it later.
5. Add a bio — a short description (up to 150 characters) that tells visitors who you are or what content you create.
6. Set a profile photo or use your existing Bitmoji. A clear, recognizable photo helps people find and identify you.
7. Tap "Create" to finalize your public profile. It will immediately become visible to other Snapchat users.

If you don't see the "Create Public Profile" option, make sure your Snapchat app is updated to the latest version. You may also need to meet the minimum age and account requirements outlined below.

Requirements for a Snapchat Public Profile

Not every Snapchat account can create a public profile. Snapchat has a few baseline requirements you need to meet:

• Minimum age: You must be at least 18 years old. If your Snapchat account was registered with a birth date that makes you under 18, the option won't appear until you reach the age threshold.
• Account age: Your Snapchat account must be at least 24 hours old. Brand-new accounts cannot immediately create a public profile.
• At least one friend: You need to have at least one friend added to your Snapchat account before the public profile option becomes available.
• Good standing: Your account should not have recent community guideline violations or active restrictions. Accounts that have been flagged or temporarily locked may be ineligible.
• Latest app version: Make sure you're running the most recent version of Snapchat from the App Store or Google Play. Older versions may not include the public profile feature.

What's Visible on a Snapchat Public Profile

Your public profile displays several pieces of information that anyone on Snapchat can see. Here's what gets shown:

• Display name and Bitmoji: Your chosen display name and Bitmoji (or profile photo) appear prominently at the top.
• Bio: The short description you wrote when setting up your profile. This is your elevator pitch to potential subscribers.
• Subscriber count: The number of people who have subscribed to your public profile. This is different from your friends count — subscribers are people who follow your public content.
• Public stories: Any stories you post to your public profile (as opposed to "My Story" which is friends-only by default) are visible here.
• Saved stories (Highlights): You can pin stories to your profile so they don't disappear after 24 hours. These act like a portfolio of your best content.
• Lenses: If you've created custom Snapchat Lenses using Lens Studio, they'll be showcased on your public profile.
• Snap Map presence: Public profiles can appear on the Snap Map, making your content discoverable by location.

Your private snaps, direct messages, best friends list, and regular "My Story" posts are not visible on your public profile. The public profile is a separate layer that sits on top of your private account.

Public Profile vs Regular Profile

Many users confuse their regular Snapchat profile with a public profile. Here's a side-by-side comparison to clarify the differences:

The key difference is audience. Your regular profile is for personal interactions with friends. Your public profile is for building an audience and sharing content with the broader Snapchat community.

How to View Someone's Public Profile on Snapchat

There are several ways to find and view a Snapchat public profile:

• Search: Tap the search icon on the top of the camera screen and type the person's username or display name. Public profiles appear in search results with a "Subscribe" button.
• Discover feed: Swipe to the Discover page. Popular public profiles and stories from public accounts appear here based on your interests and location.
• Snap Map: Open the Snap Map and explore content from public profiles pinned to specific locations. This is how many local businesses and creators get discovered.
• Direct link / Snapcode: Public profiles have shareable links (snapchat.com/add/username) and Snapcodes that can be shared on other platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or websites.
• From a shared story: If a friend shares a public story with you, tapping the creator's name will take you to their public profile.

Want to download someone's public profile picture? You can use our free Snapchat Profile Picture Downloader to save profile images in full resolution.

How to Get Verified on Snapchat

Verification on Snapchat is represented by a gold star emoji that appears next to a user's display name. It signals that the account is the authentic presence of a notable public figure, celebrity, or brand. Here's what you need to know about Snapchat verification:

Who Qualifies for Verification

• Public figures and celebrities: Musicians, actors, athletes, politicians, and other well-known individuals.
• Major brands and organizations: Companies with significant public recognition and a verified presence on other platforms.
• High-profile creators: Snapchat creators with large subscriber counts and consistent content output, especially those in the Snap Star program.

Verification Criteria

Snapchat evaluates accounts based on four main factors:

1. Authenticity: The account must represent a real person, brand, or entity. Parody or fan accounts are not eligible.
2. Uniqueness: Only one account per person or brand can be verified (with exceptions for language-specific accounts).
3. Notability: The account must belong to someone who is widely searched for, featured in news, or has a significant following on other platforms.
4. Activity: The account must be active with a complete public profile, regular posting history, and meaningful engagement.

Can You Apply for Verification?

Unlike platforms like Instagram or Twitter/X, Snapchat does not currently offer a public verification application process. The Snapchat team identifies and verifies accounts internally. The best way to increase your chances is to consistently grow your subscriber count, post engaging public stories, and build notability outside of Snapchat.

Can You See Who Viewed Your Snapchat Public Profile?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions about public profiles. By default, Snapchat does not show you who viewed your public profile. You can see aggregate view counts on your public stories and overall profile statistics, but individual viewer identities are hidden for standard accounts.

However, Snapchat+ subscribers get access to a Profile Views feature that reveals who visited their profile within the last 24 hours. This is one of the premium perks included in the $3.99/month Snapchat+ subscription, alongside other features like custom app icons, story rewatch indicators, and the Friend Solar System.

If you're curious about what else Snapchat+ offers — and how to tell if someone else is using it — check out our guide on how to tell if someone has Snapchat+.

One important note: even with Snapchat+, you can only see who viewed your profile page — not who watched your individual public stories. Story view lists are available separately within each story post.

How to Delete Your Snapchat Public Profile

If you decide you no longer want a public profile on Snapchat, you can remove it without deleting your entire account. Here's how to delete your public profile:

1. Open Snapchat and tap your Bitmoji or profile icon in the top-left corner.
2. Scroll down to the Public Profile section and tap on it.
3. Tap the gear icon (settings) or the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
4. Select "Delete Public Profile."
5. Confirm the deletion when prompted. Snapchat will warn you that this action cannot be undone.

What gets removed:

• Your public profile page and all associated data
• All public stories and saved story highlights
• Your subscriber count and subscriber list
• Any Lenses linked to your public profile

What stays intact:

• Your regular private Snapchat account
• Your friends list and private conversations
• Your Snap Score and streaks
• Your personal "My Story" posts

Keep in mind that once deleted, you'll lose all your subscribers permanently. If you create a new public profile later, you'll start from scratch with zero subscribers.

Tips for Growing Your Snapchat Public Profile

Building an audience on Snapchat takes consistent effort. Here are practical strategies to grow your public profile and increase your subscriber count:

Post Consistently

Aim to post to your public story at least once per day. Snapchat's algorithm favors active creators who post regularly. Consistency keeps you visible in the Discover feed and helps you appear in recommendations.

Use Saved Stories Strategically

Pin your best-performing stories as Highlights on your public profile. New visitors who discover your profile can immediately see your top content instead of landing on an empty page. Think of saved stories as your portfolio.

Cross-Promote on Other Platforms

Share your Snapchat profile link and Snapcode on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter/X. Many creators overlay their Snapcode on video content or include their Snapchat link in their bio on other platforms.

Create Lenses

Snapchat's Lens Studio is free to use, and custom Lenses appear on your public profile. A viral Lens can drive thousands of subscribers overnight. Even simple, fun filters tend to get shared widely.

Engage with Your Audience

Reply to messages from subscribers, use interactive story features like polls and Q&As, and create content that encourages engagement. Higher engagement signals to Snapchat's algorithm that your content is worth promoting.

Optimize Your Profile

Use a clear, recognizable profile photo and write a bio that tells visitors exactly what kind of content you create. First impressions matter — a polished profile converts more visitors into subscribers.

Leverage Snap Map

If you create location-specific content (events, travel, local culture), your public stories can appear on the Snap Map. This is an underutilized discovery channel that can bring in viewers who wouldn't find you through search alone.

Collaborate with Other Creators

Takeovers, shoutouts, and collaborative stories with other public profiles expose your content to new audiences. Find creators in your niche and propose mutually beneficial collaborations.