Snapchat Tests Bitmoji Plaza Virtual Hub on Web

Snapchat is experimenting with a new virtual engagement feature called Bitmoji Plaza, bringing a 3D interactive space to its web platform. The digital town center allows users to see and interact with their friends’ Bitmoji avatars in a shared online environment, marking the platform’s latest innovation in avatar-based social interaction.

How Bitmoji Plaza Works

When users log into Snapchat’s web version, their Bitmoji appears in a virtual 3D world where they can encounter other online friends. The avatars can move, dance, and wave to each other in this shared space. Friends’ Bitmojis appear when they come online and disappear when they log off, creating a dynamic social environment.

The feature is currently in testing and not available to all users. Snapchat has made it an opt-in experience, meaning users must actively choose to participate before their Bitmoji appears in the plaza.

Strategic Timing and Future Potential

This launch comes as Snapchat develops AR glasses to compete with Meta in the wearables market. While the web version represents only a small fraction of Snapchat’s mobile-dominated usage, the company sees growing potential as remote work continues and it targets older demographics.

With over 2.7 billion Bitmoji avatars already in circulation, Snapchat is leveraging its popular avatar system for future digital interaction trends. Though currently limited in functionality compared to platforms like Roblox, Bitmoji Plaza could evolve into a more sophisticated social space.

The feature represents Snapchat’s exploration of virtual social environments, potentially positioning the platform for future metaverse-style developments while maintaining its signature casual, avatar-based approach to digital communication.