How to create your own Snapchat geofilter

If you use Snapchat you are probably familiar with applying geofilters to photos and videos. Geofilters are image overlays that indicate your location, which you add to a photo or video by swiping to the right.

Lauren Brousell

Geofilters let you add image overlays that indicate your location. (Click for larger image.)

For example, if I’m standing in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, I can take a photo and swipe right to reveal several interesting designs on the top or bottom of the screen indicating my location. Because Fenway is a popular, high-traffic area in Boston, there are several geofilters that pop up: Two different Fenway Park-inspired designs and one that says Boston with an image of the city’s skyline.

But what if you live in an area doesn’t have any geofilters yet or you want to add a new one to the mix? Here’s how to create your own.

First, make sure you have the capability to create a PNG file through programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator or other image-editing app. This is where Snapchat wants you to be creative. Come up with a geofilter design that represents a particular town, neighborhood, public venue or landmark.

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Before you start your design, download one of the templates for Photoshop or Illustrator provided on Snapchat’s website. The PNG file must be saved as Web-optimized (i.e., save the file for the Web when you’re done) and transparent with a width of 1,080 pixels and a height of 1,920 pixels. The image size must be under 300KB. Leave some empty space, 149 pixels worth, above and below the image. Snapchat also recommends avoiding images that create borders around the entire screen. However, borders that cover a corner of the screen or one side are acceptable.

Snapchat

Snapchat offers guidelines for creating geofilters.

(Click for larger image.)

All designs must be approved by Snapchat and the company has some guidelines for making a successful geofilter. It recommends designing geofilters for places where people are likely to send Snapchats. The image must be original artwork, not a logo or existing photograph. Businesses are not eligible for user-created geofilters. Sponsored geofilters are generated through partnerships between businesses and Snapchat.

Once you’ve finished a design that fits those requirements, submit it through Snapchat’s website. This is where you’ll select the exact location that your geofilter represents and upload your image. Type your location into the search bar on the top of the map, then click and drag the lines to create a zone around a specific area, such as a street or portion of a neighborhood. This will indicate the area where the geofilter will show up for users. Then click on the upload image button on the right side of the screen and fill out the form below with your name, email and why the location is meaningful to you.

Then hit Submit. If you’re lucky (and creative) Snapchat will accept it and notify you via email and users will see it pop up at your favorite location.