A “half swipe” on Snapchat refers to the action of partially swiping left or right on a Snap to peek at the content without fully opening it or triggering a read receipt. This allows users to preview a Snap’s content, such as the first few words of a text message or a glimpse of an image, before deciding whether to view it completely. For instance, if a user receives a long text Snap, they might half swipe to quickly see the beginning of the message before deciding to open it fully.
This functionality provides users with a degree of control over their interactions, enabling discretion and privacy management. It allows for a quick assessment of a Snap’s content without notifying the sender, offering the recipient the choice to engage fully or discreetly ignore the message. While the sender remains unaware of a half swipe, this feature empowers recipients to prioritize their attention and manage their online presence more effectively. Historically, managing read receipts has been a significant aspect of online communication, and this functionality addresses that concern within Snapchat’s platform.