Snapchat launches new feature with million-dollar incentive

Camera company Snapchat launches Spotlight in over 10 countries today, including Australia - a platform that puts user-generated content on full display.

Users can upload content to Spotlight, in much the same way one shares to TikTok or Instagram. And it arrives with a major incentive for creators to get involved.

It is hoping to leverage the four billion Snaps created by users daily to power the new feed.

Snapchat is luring users with cash. It is giving away USD $1 million every day to creators with earnings "determined on unique views", according to a statement.

This could be a “substantial” income source for those with creative skills, including musicians.

Spotlight is available in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and France, with more countries to come soon.

Snaps are ranked in Spotlight based on how people engage with them, like how long they’re viewed and if people favourite them from within the app.

"We want to help empower our community to express themselves through the Snapchat Camera and share with the whole Snapchat community, something they have also clearly shown they want by posting Snaps publicly to other platforms," the company noted.

In August, Snapchat announced new partnerships with the music business in a bid to remain relevant up against fast-rising rivals in the short-form social video space.

Major copyright players including Warner Music, Warner Chappell, Universal Music Publishing, NMPA publisher members, Merlin have now licensed music to Snapchat.

Last month it also launched Sounds on Snapchat, allowing users to add music to their Snaps.