Snapchat is a great social application for sharing pictures, videos, and messages that self-destruct. It contains numerous symbols and icons that may become intriguing to the users. One such symbol is the yellow dot, which many users see but do not realize what it means. Therefore, what does the yellow dot mean on snapchat?
This paper seeks to provide an understanding of what the yellow dot is, how it affects user experience and its place in the Snapchat notification system.
Where the yellow dot typically appears on Snapchat
Snapchat presents different information through its color system. The yellow dot, a yellow circle, serves as one of many color indicators on Snapchat.
Snapchat uses the yellow dot to inform you about fresh updates from your friends. You will find this yellow dot showing updates in different parts of Snapchat.
- Next to your friend’s name in the chat list. A yellow dot could appear next to the name of your friends. It indicates that your friends recently posted stories or sent notifications you have not yet viewed on Snapchat.
- On profile icon. This yellow dot on your profile icon indicates that a new friend request is available from Snapchat Quick Add. It’s also about new app features after an update.
- Discover. You can spot a yellow dot inside the Discover section as well. Snapchat shows you fresh content from news and entertainment sources that you have not explored yet.
Snapchat uses the yellow dot as a way to draw your attention towards new updates when there’s something new for you! Tap on the yellow dot to view the details of the notification.
What you need to know for a better Snapchat experience!
What does the yellow dot on Snapchat mean?
So, what does the small yellow dot mean on Snapchat? The yellow dot tells you there exists fresh content you have not viewed before. This could range from Stories or Snaps to short updates in their feed.
The yellow indicator keeps you updated about what your friends share on the platform, making activities seem more exciting. Whenever you spot a yellow dot on Snapchat, it is your chance to explore what your connections are engaged in.
The yellow dot could appear in a number of locations and in a slightly different manner. So, let’s have a look at the different meanings of the yellow dot in different contexts.
1. Yellow dot next to a friend’s Bitmoji
If you see a yellow dot near a Bitmoji or profile icon of another friend. It means another friend has sent you a new Snap or chat message you have not opened.
It is a quick visual cue that there’s someone who is trying to communicate with you. Until you view the content they have sent, the dot will stay visible.
2. Yellow dot in chat
The yellow dot appears next to conversations that have unread messages in your chat list. It may be a text chat, a photo Snap or a video.
The yellow dot makes it easy to see at a glance which conversations have new activities without having to open each one. And it disappears once you open the chat and view all new content.
3. Yellow dot on Snapchat Stories
On your Stories feed, a yellow dot beside the person’s name indicates they have posted a new Story that you have not watched yet. This helps you manage to keep track of what is fresh from your friends.
When you have seen their complete Story, the yellow dot will disappear. This allows you to distinguish between Stories you have already seen versus Stories you have not seen.
4. Quick add
A yellow dot in the quick add section can appear next to suggested friends or connections. That usually means Snapchat has recently generated a new friend suggestion for you based on mutual friends, contacts, or some other criteria. The dot features as part of ensuring that fresh recommendations are highlighted.
5. Yellow dot for settings updates
The yellow dot is sometimes used to remind you to update your app permissions, like camera and microphone access, to allow you to use Snapchat smoothly. To do that, you must navigate to your device’s settings to adjust these permissions accordingly.
Comparison with other activity indicators
Snapchat uses different colored dots and symbols to convey different things. The yellow dot is mostly about “new” stuff, whereas the other Snapchat indicators will provide you with different details.
- Red dot: The presence of a red dot indicates that someone is sending you a Snap without sound. More often than not, its a pic Snap from a friend that you have not seen yet.
- Purple dot: The purple dot indicates that a friend sent you a Snap with sound or video. Neither have you opened this one, too!
- Green dot: Once the name of a friend has a green dot next to it, it means that the friend is online now and ready to chat. Blue dot: The blue dot in the Chat area also indicates that you have unread messages or Snaps in that chat.
These colors are simply helping you know what is going on and where to begin checking things first! It will be easier to use Snapchat if you know what each dot represents.
How to get rid of the yellow dot on Snapchat?
Sometimes, the yellow dot can be a little annoying, especially if it won’t go away! The following is the best ways to remove a yellow dot.
- Watch new stories. Tap on the yellow dot if it’s by a friend’s picture or Story to watch their Story. After watching, the yellow dot disappears.
- Open new Snaps or chats. If the yellow dot is in your chat list, open the chat and see the new Snap or read the message. The dot will disappear once you’ve seen it.
- Open your profile. Go to your profile by just tapping on your picture. The dot should disappear once you check for friend requests or other updates.
- Reply to new messages. Opening a Snap or chat isn’t always enough. In some cases, you may have to send a reply to make the dot disappear completely.
- Restart the app. If the yellow dot sticks there after you have done all this, try opening the Snapchat app again. It can remove any stuck dots.
Doing these things will help you easily remove the yellow dots from your Snapchat and keep your Snapchat clean and simple.
Turning off notifications for certain activities
The yellow dot is intended to be helpful, but there may be occasions when you do not wish to receive so many notifications.
There is no getting rid of the yellow dot itself because that’s how Snapchat shows you new stuff. However, you can alter your settings so you receive fewer alerts, and thus ,the yellow dot won’t appear so often.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon at the top.
- Click on the gear icon at the bottom right corner of the screen, this will take us to Settings.
- Scroll down and tap “Notifications.”
- You can pick here what kind of notifications you would like to get here.
- Stories from Friends – You can turn these off if you don’t want to be notified whenever friends post new Stories.
- Message Reminders – You can turn it off if you don’t want new Snaps or messages.
- Friend Suggestions – Turn it off if you don’t want to receive Quick Add suggestions.
It will not remove the yellow dot, but you will mute those notifications when you turn them off.
Is the yellow dot important for activity notifications?
While the yellow dot plays a big role in shaping user experience. Understand its positive and negative impacts.
- User engagement: The dots and symbols serve as a visual cue, prompting users to check the app for new activity. This increases engagement by drawing attention to updates, messages, or interactions.
- Personalized experience: It helps users stay informed about relevant updates, creating a more tailored and interactive experience.
- More interaction and connections: By notifying users of real-time activity, the dots encourage timely responses and foster stronger connections with friends and followers.
However, the cons are:
- Too much attention and distraction. The yellow dot will sometimes prompt you to check notifications that may not be necessary for you to read soon.
- Feeling like you’ll miss out. It can give you the feeling as if you always have to check Snapchat to not miss anything.
To get rid of stress or being overwhelmed, these notifications should be handled by changing your Snapchat notification settings. Besides, social media should not take up that much of your time.
[Bonus] How to balance your kid’s Snapchat use and safety?
Using Snapchat in moderation is no easy task, especially with those features always attracting them to be more active on the app.
None of the parents want their kids to spend too much time exploring online. But equally, we shouldn’t stifle their enjoyment of the virtual world and mobile technology.
Below are some tips for keeping your child safe on Snapchat and other social apps.
- Use Snapchat’s parent tools. Snapchat offers built-in features that allow parents to monitor their child’s activity. These tools can help you stay informed about who your child is chatting with as well as who their friends are on the platform.
- Have open conversations. Talk to your child about the importance of online safety. Discuss potential risks, such as interacting with strangers or sharing personal information, and encourage them to come to you if they encounter anything uncomfortable.
- Set clear rules: Establish guidelines for kids’ social media use, including how much time they can spend on social apps, what type of content they are allowed to view or share, and also which apps they are permitted to use.
- Stay involved: Be attentive to what your child is involved in on their phone. Keeping an eye on what they do online and their mood changes in daily life. Regularly check in to ensure they’re using social media responsibly and safely.
- Use a reliable parental control tool. Tools like FlashGet Kids offer a balanced approach to digital safety, helping parents protect their children without restricting their freedom. This app is designed to be an essential tool for modern parenting in the digital age.
Parents can get the following cool features from FlashGet Kids.
- Screen Mirroring: It allows you to view your child’s screen in real-time to see what they’re watching or interacting with.
- Screen Time Limits: You can also limit how long your child can use Snapchat or other apps.
- Daily Reports: Receive detailed updates on your child’s daily app usage and preference, etc.
- App Blocker: You can block apps that are not suitable or distracting, helping your child focus on safer and more productive activities.
Conclusion
Now you know what the yellow dot means on Snapchat. It is just a simple way for Snapchat to tell you about any new messages, friend stuff, or updates. While it’s not as urgent as other dots, it helps keep you connected. To get rid of it, simply open the Snap or adjust your notification settings. Understanding this symbol can enhance your Snapchat experience and help you manage notifications more effectively.
