Snapchat Adds Ability To Link Within Snaps, New Cropping Tool, Voice Filtering Feature

Snapchat has added several new editing tools as part of an update to its flagship app today, including the ability to include links within Snaps.

That feature, called Paperclip, was previously only available to advertisers — as well as within Snapchat’s Discover section. But now, global users on both iOS and Android will be able to let users swipe up on their Snaps to open external links. (A preview of the link will appear next to the swipe-up arrow to help avoid unwanted browsing). Links are added using a new Paperclip button within Snapchat’s toolkit, according to Techcrunch, and all links must comply with Snpachat’s terms of service, community guidelines, and privacy policy.

While Instagram‘s competing Stories feature already enables external links within Stories, it is only available to verified users.

Other additions to Snapchat include Backdrops, which lets users crop objects out of a Snap and overlay them onto colorful patterns. Different Backdrop designs will rotate daily, Techcrunch reports. And Snapchat is also adding Voice Filters to let users edit the sound within their video Snaps. Voice effects were previously only available with certain Lenses, though now tapping the speaker icon at the bottom of the screen will let users choose from an array of different characters.