What Does The Green Dot Mean On Snapchat? Is It Just An Activity Indicator?

Snapchat has a collection of emoji-based indicators and colored indicators as well. Each one of these has a specific meaning and can be tricky for someone who is just getting familiar with the platform.

One of those indicators is the green dot that comes next to the profile icon. Well, for a newbie, it is difficult to understand the meaning of this.

So, we are here to clear that confusion and let you in on the different symbols that Snapchat has.

What is the Green Dot on Snapchat?

The green dot on snapchat next to someone’s profile means that the person is active on the platform currently. Snapchat calls this feature the activity indicator and says that it appears to imply that the person has recently been active on the app.

The company does not mention any specific time range for the green dot to stay there after the active session. However, depending on the description we get to see inside the “Add Friends” screen, we can estimate that the profile was active in the last 24 hours.

You can see the green dot only after you enter the Add Friends screen, and it will not show on the chat window, even if you and another friend are using the app. This means you have to not be friends with that person if you must see their activity indicator.

So, basically, the purpose of this feature is to check whether the person you want to add as a friend is active on Snapchat, to strike up a conversation immediately.

How to Disable the Green Dot

If you want to maintain privacy and do not want to let others know that you were active on the platform recently, then all you need to do is disable the green dot activity indicator.

You just have to follow these few steps:

• Open the app and click on the profile icon.
• When you get to the profile page, click on the gear icon.
• Then scroll down and go to “Privacy Control” and select Activity Indicator.
• Turn off the Activity Indicator and disable the green dot that appears on your profile.
• Then, close the app and reopen it for the settings to take place.

Once the feature is turned off, nobody will be able to check the last time you were active on the Add Friends screen. However, you will still be able to see which users are active on the screen if they have not turned off the indicator.

Where to See the Green Dot

Generally, the green dot comes in two positions. One is inside the app, like Bitmoji, Quick Add, etc., and the other is on the screen’s top. Let’s take a look at those.

Snapchat Green Dot in Friends’ Bitmoji

The green dot appears on the Quick Add page. If you notice, you will find that it is always next to the Bitmoji of suggested friends.

Snapchat Green Dot on Top of The Screen

You also get to see the green dot at the top of the screen where you can see the green screen. This is a notification that comes from the OS itself, and this is not just in Snapchat. So, if you find the green dot appearing on top of the screen, it means that any other application or Snapchat is trying to access your camera.

Turn on Ghost Mode to Hide Your Active Location

Apart from the recent activity, if you do not want to let others on Snapchat know about your current location, you can turn the Ghost mode on. When you turn it on, nobody will be able to find your location on Snap Map.

• Open the app and click on the “location pin” icon from the toolbar to go to the Snap Map.
• Click on the “Gear icon.”
• Turn on the Ghost mode.
• Then, choose the duration to want to keep it turned on for. There are three options available: 3hrs, 24hrs, and Until Turned Off.

Misconceptions About the Green Dot

Just like any other functionality or feature, there are different misconceptions and myths. Similarly, this one has also got quite a few.it is needed that we debunk these myths to avoid any kind of unnecessary worries and confusion. Here are a few common myths people have about this indicator:

Myth 1

The activity indicator means someone is going through your content actively. However, in reality, it means that the user is active on Snapchat or was a while ago. This has nothing to do with viewing your profile or content.

Myth 2

People also believe that the green dot shows the exact geo-location. Whereas the reality is that the green dot does not capture any information about the user’s physical location. It just talks about the online presence.

Myth 3

There is a belief going on that the green dot is up-to-date and is always accurate. However, in reality, it tries to provide real-time status, and there could be delays or inaccuracies because of different factors, including the performance of the app and network connectivity.

How does the green dot affect human psychology?

Apart from the actual activity purpose, the meaning of the green dot has other purposes as well. Influence and acceptance are rooted in the basic human needs. Here are a few psychological factors that make it compelling:

Social connection

People have this deep-rooted need for socializing and belonging. With the feeling of real-time presence along with possible interactions with friends, the green dot gets what it is made for.

FOMO

This green dot sometimes triggers the feeling of missing out. Users often think that they should be interacting with their friends who are active, or they will miss out on important updates and gossip.

Dopamine hits

The brain prepares dopamine and releases it after anticipating any talk or response after they see the green dot, and it provides them with a sense of pleasure and reward.

Perceived availability

Because of this, individuals think that people who are online are available when they see this indicator. It increases the urge to initiate a conversation or share a piece of content as they think the recipient is within their reach.

Other indicators on Snapchat

The green dot is considered as the main activity indicated by the platform. However there are other visual cues indicating activities and statuses.

Here are the other significant indicators in Snapchat.

Purple Ring: This means that the user has recently updated their snapochat story for their friends to watch the latest shared moments.

Snap Score: This shows the overall activity of the user on the app. This includes the number of snaps they have received or sent, stories they have seen, and other interactions.

Snapstreaks: These are shown by numerical values and emojis next to the name of the user, symbolizing the exchange of continuous snaps between two friends.

Bitmoji Avatars: This app allows its users to build their own Bitmoji, showing different animations/expressions depending on the actions they take or what they do.

Related: Snapchat Score Boosting: How to Increase Your Snapchat Score

Privacy & Security Considerations about the Green Dot on Snapchat

By now, you have the answer to “what does the green dot mean on Snapchat,” you should have a clear picture of the privacy and security concerns. Even though the green dot enhances user experience and real-time connections, there are privacy concerns related to it.

Location tracking

It does not directly indicate the location of a user. However, you can make assumptions by looking at their latest online activities. Because of this snapchat activity indicator, some of the users feel uneasy, especially those who don’t like people violating their profiles.

Perceived availability

This green dot often indicates an anticipation for instant availability, which some people can feel crossing their personal boundaries.

Selective Sharing

Some of the users would like to remain invisible online and like to choose only a selected few to know about their details and when they were last active on the platform.

A recap on “What does the green dot mean on Snapchat?”

So, what does the green dot mean on Snapchat? Apart from being a simple visual indicator, it impacts user interactions as well. The user experience this green dot provides cannot be ignored as well.

This unassuming dot is also a sign of real-time presence and starts instant communication and builds spontaneous connections.

Just like any other technology that touches privacy and online boundaries, this green dot is also subjective to such discussions and revolves around the user’s choice. Snapchat allows users to enable or disable this feature if they do not want to let others know about their details.

Additional Readings:

• Why Gen-Zs Will Not Break Free from the Snapchat Trap!
• Replaying Snaps on Snapchat: How to Do? (A Definitive Guide)
• What Does S/U Mean Snapchat?: How to Use, Avoid Misusing It