Snapchat has released its comprehensive 2025 year-in-review report, revealing unexpected shifts in how younger users connect on the platform. The data challenges conventional wisdom about Gen Z’s communication preferences, particularly regarding voice interaction and the tools they use to stay connected with friends.
Voice Notes Become Preferred Connection Method
The most striking finding is the resurgence of voice communication among Snapchat users. The platform reported that Snapchatters engaged in nearly 1.7 billion minutes of voice calls daily—a remarkable 30% increase year-over-year. In the United States alone, over 5 billion voice notes were sent throughout 2025, representing a nearly 10% jump compared to the previous year. This trend contradicts years of marketing guidance suggesting young people actively avoid voice calls in favor of text-based alternatives.
Chat Reactions and Digital Expression Evolve
Beyond voice communication, Snapchat observed significant growth in visual and reactive forms of expression. Chat reactions surged 44% throughout 2025, with the heart icon emerging as the most popular response method. The platform notes that these reactions have become “a universal shorthand for love, hype, and affirmation.” Additionally, 3 million more people utilized stickers for communication, with the seemingly random “6/7” sticker becoming the year’s most-used.
The data demonstrates that Snapchat continues serving as a critical connection hub for Gen Z, blending both personal voice interaction and casual, low-commitment response options. The platform’s role in strengthening relationships is further evidenced by findings that 40% of Gen Z Snapchatters interpret random moment snaps as signals of deepening friendship.