Branding
Snapchat Ghost Logo: History, Meaning & Evolution of a Ghost Logo Tech Company
September 11, 2025
January 2, 2025
In the crowded world of tech companies, Snapchat stands out as a leading tech company with ghost logo identity.
Its yellow ghost logo has become an instantly recognizable symbol, reflecting the app’s core promise of ephemeral messaging — photos and videos that disappear like a ghost.
Unlike other tech brands dominated by blue and white colors, Snapchat’s bright yellow background and ghost icon give it a distinct edge in the competitive social media landscape.
In this article, we explore the Snapchat logo’s meaning, its fascinating history, evolution from the old Snapchat logo to today’s version, and the design elements that make it so memorable.
Plus, we’ll cover the latest Snapchat+ features and answer common questions about the ghost logo and Snapchat branding.
Snapchat Ghost Logo History: From Picaboo to a Bright Yellow Icon
Snapchat launched on July 8, 2011, initially called ‘Picaboo.’ Created by three university students—Reggie Brown, Evan Spiegel, and Bobby Murphy—the app centered around disappearing photos.
Early on, Snapchat positioned itself as a tech company with a bright yellow logo and ghost symbol, setting it apart in a market crowded with more conventional designs.
Since Reggie didn’t know much about business, he asked Evan for help. They also brought in Bobby, who was a coding expert.
Together, they built the app, but after the launch, Reggie was removed from the company. He sued Evan and Bobby, settling for $157.5 million.
Evan designed the app’s ghost-like logo in one evening on his computer. He named it "Ghostface Chilian" after rapper Ghostface Killah, a nod to his love for rap. Despite the drama, Snapchat became very successful, similar to Facebook’s story.
The Reason Behind Snapchat Ghost Logo(Meaning)
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Snapchat’s ghost logo embodies the app’s promise of privacy and impermanence.
As a ghost logo tech company, Snapchat uses this symbol to remind users that their messages vanish after viewing, reinforcing the idea of temporary, unseen communication.
The ghost represents this fleeting nature perfectly, making it a meaningful design choice beyond mere aesthetics.
Evolution of Snapchat Ghost Logo
2011-2013
In 2011, Snapchat's first logo, Ghostface Chilian, was released when the app was still called Picaboo. It features a happy ghost with its tongue out, a round head, short arms, and a base that isn’t even.
Looking at other app logos, Spiegel noticed none of them used yellow, so he decided it would be the perfect color for Snapchat.
2013-2019
In 2013, the brand changed the logo, and the character no longer had a facial expression. This year, Snapchat introduced the Stories feature to share snaps that lasted 24 hours.
Official reports explain that the ghost logo was created to represent the range of emotions shown by the community. They believed that since every user represents the app, there was no need for a special expression.
According to the other members , the change in the logo is linked to a lawsuit by Evancreators for copyright issues.
2019-Today
The ghost’s border was made thicker and darker, making the logo more visible from distance. But the interesting fact is that the changes weren’t officially announced, but the audience spotted the improved app with an unusual icon in the iPhone App Store.
People began writing negative reviews and submitting petitions in the App Store after noticing this logo. Though, the leaders of Snap Inc. explained that the thick border makes the logo more eye-catching.
On the other hand, this year Snapchat introduced AR technology that allows you to add fun filters, like goofy faces or virtual outfits, to your snaps.
Design Elements Behind the Bright Yellow Ghost Logo
The Snapchat logo features a white ghost outlined in black set against a bright yellow background (Pantone Yellow U, Hex #FFFC00).
This yellow ghost logo is unusual in tech branding, where blue tones dominate, making Snapchat instantly stand out.
Yellow symbolizes energy, positivity, and clarity—traits that match Snapchat’s youthful and dynamic spirit.
The ghost icon itself symbolizes the app’s core feature of disappearing content, creating a simple yet powerful brand identity.
Icon
The Snapchat logo was inspired by "Picaboo", means 'a photo of a ghost' in Spanish. Over time, the logo became simpler and easier to recognize.
Snapchat messages don’t disappear completely; they are saved for later use if needed, like the ghost idea—something unseen still exists.
The ghost logo comes in different colors (yellow, black, or white) and shapes (circle or square). No matter the version, people all over the world recognize it.
Color
The Snapchat logo features a white ghost outlined in black on a yellow square with rounded corners.
The background was once gradient but is now a solid bright yellow. Snap Inc. chose Pantone Yellow U (Hex 0xFFFC00) after finding no competitors used yellow.
But The older logo featured a red tongue on the ghost, which has been removed in the current design.
Yellow represents positivity, energy, clarity, and enlightenment, while white symbolizes purity, harmony, innocence, and fresh starts.
Whatever, Snapchat’s main color are yellow, black, & white.
If you explore in deep, you will find the table below.
Snapchat Plus : A New Snapchat
Snapchat+ started in July 2022 when Snap faced problems with falling ad revenue and has been surprisingly successful in earning money another way.
Snapchat+ costs $3.99 per month or $29.99 per year.
It’s available only in certain countries, but Snapchat plans to expand it to more soon.
Here are the 10 most catchy features of Snapchat+ :
- Pin #1 Best Friend – Highlight your top friend on Snapchat.
- Story Rewatch Indicator – See who rewatched your stories.
- Custom App Icons – Choose from a variety of app icons.
- Solar System – Explore a unique feature for friends in your orbit.
- Priority Story Replies – Get your replies noticed by celebrities or creators.
- Post View Emoji – Add an emoji that appears after your friends view your snaps.
- Custom Story Expiration – Control how long your stories stay visible.
- One Free Monthly Snapstreak Restore – Fix a lost streak once a month.
- Custom Chat Colors – Personalize your chat themes.
- Story Boost – Get more visibility for your stories.
FAQs on Snapchat Ghost Logo
What tech company is known for its bright yellow ghost logo?
Snapchat is the leading tech company with a ghost logo, recognized globally for its disappearing messages and vibrant branding.
Why is Snapchat’s logo a ghost?
The ghost represents the core feature of Snapchat — photos and videos that vanish after being viewed, like a ghost disappearing.
What was the old Snapchat logo?
The old Snapchat logo featured a playful ghost with a tongue sticking out and was slightly more detailed than today’s minimalist design.
What is Snapchat Format?
Snapchat's full-screen canvas is 1080 x 1920px with a 9:16 aspect ratio, scaled proportionally. Videos can be 3 to 180 seconds long, but if shorter than 3 seconds, they will loop to meet the minimum.
Which font is used in Snapchat?
Snapchat's text features Avenir Next, a clean and modern sans-serif font that aligns with its fun and youthful look.
How is snapchat coded?
For development, Snapchat relies on Bootstrap and JavaScript for the front end, Python for the backend, and Objective-C with Cocoa Touch (iOS) and PHP.
Is the Snapchat logo a ghost or a bell?
Snapchat’s ghost logo symbolizes the app’s feature where messages vanish after viewing or a set time. So we can tell it a ghost logo.
What are the colors of the Snapchat logo?
Snapchat’s main colors are bright yellow, black, and white. The yellow background is particularly distinctive in the tech industry.
Is Snapchat the only tech company with a ghost logo?
While other companies may use ghost imagery, Snapchat is the most prominent tech company with a ghost logo known for its unique design and core brand promise.
Final Thoughts
The evolution of the Snapchat ghost logo reflects how the app has matured over time — transitioning from a detailed, playful design to a simple, modern icon recognized worldwide.
Snapchat continues to thrive, reporting a 15% revenue growth to $1.373 billion in the last quarter and a 9% increase in Daily Active Users, reaching 443 million.
Whether you’re designing a logo or refining your brand identity, remember that simplicity, relevance, and memorability are key. If you need expert guidance, we’re here to help you craft a logo that stands out.
Explore our recent blogs on top logos to get inspired and start your branding journey today.
