It’s been less than two months since Snapchat rolled out the ability to purchase and save Snapchat Lenses forever, but the popular social app is already pulling the plug on its newly minted marketplace. The Lens Store will officially be shutting down as of Friday, Jan. 8.
Selena Larson
Snapchat’s Lens feature, which gives photos and video clips added flair via graphic overlays—like rainbow barf—and other real-time alterations, was initially rolled out for free in September. New Lenses were swapped in over time, rotating the available lenses out in favor of new options.
The option to purchase lenses was introduced in November. Via the Lens Store, users can pay 99 cents for the privilege of always having their favorite Lens available. The response to the store was mixed at best, and many users were downright livid that the company was attempting to monetize the Lens feature.
As of this coming Friday, the ability to purchase Lenses will be removed and the feature will return to the free, rotation-based system it initially used. Lenses will once again appear and disappear depending on the day, but anyone who purchased Lenses during the time the Lens store was open will still retain the ability to use them regardless of whether or not they are being offered for free.
H/T Business Insider / Photo via Selena Larson
