Hupspot Guide to Snapchat Spotlight

If you use Hubspot to plan and measure your marketing, understanding Snapchat Spotlight can unlock a new way to reach audiences with short, vertical video.

Snapchat Spotlight is a TikTok-style feed of quick, entertaining videos surfaced by an algorithm rather than a follower list. For marketers, it is a chance to get organic reach far beyond existing subscribers, especially with creative content that feels native to the platform.

Below you will find a structured, step‑by‑step guide, inspired by the official Snapchat documentation and the original Hubspot marketing article, on how Snapchat Spotlight works and how to publish your first clips successfully.

What Is Snapchat Spotlight in Hubspot Terms?

In performance marketing and Hubspot reporting language, Snapchat Spotlight is a top‑of‑funnel discovery channel. Instead of pushing posts to people who already follow you, Snapchat uses an algorithm to show your clips to users based on their interests and behavior.

Key traits of Spotlight include:

• A dedicated tab inside Snapchat with a full‑screen, swipe‑up feed.
• Short, vertical videos, usually under 60 seconds, designed for quick consumption.
• Algorithmic distribution focused on watch time, engagement, and completion rate.
• Minimal public profile information; the content is front and center.

From a Hubspot analytics perspective, this means you will treat Spotlight as an awareness and engagement driver, then capture traffic with links in your profile, cross‑promotion, and calls to action in other channels.

How Snapchat Spotlight Works for Brands Using Hubspot

Snapchat does not guarantee distribution to your followers. Instead, Spotlight evaluates each submitted video and tests it with small audiences. If a clip performs well, the algorithm expands its reach.

Important factors include:

• Watch time: Do viewers stay to the end of your video?
• Replays and shares: Do people watch again or share with friends?
• Skips: Do users swipe away quickly?
• Content quality: Vertical format, clear visuals, and strong audio.

These are similar to engagement metrics you would monitor in Hubspot dashboards for other social networks, but here they directly decide how widely Snapchat pushes your content.

Hubspot Style Best Practices for Snapchat Spotlight

To align your Spotlight approach with Hubspot‑style inbound marketing, focus on value, clarity, and measurement. Treat every video as a test you can learn from.

Hubspot Content Principles Applied to Spotlight

Translate familiar inbound principles into the Spotlight format:

• Be helpful: Offer quick tips, how‑tos, or behind‑the‑scenes views instead of pure ads.
• Be human: Use real people, authentic reactions, and informal language.
• Be focused: Deliver one core idea per clip.
• Be consistent: Publish on a schedule so you can evaluate trends in Hubspot reports or similar analytics tools.

Hubspot Tone and Creative Dos and Don’ts

Consider the original Hubspot article’s creative recommendations and adapt them:

• Use vertical video with a 9:16 aspect ratio.
• Hook viewers in the first second with movement, text, or a compelling question.
• Avoid static slideshows; keep motion and energy high.
• Respect community guidelines and avoid sensitive or misleading content.

Think of Spotlight as a playground where you humanize your brand, then attribute impact through your Hubspot or CRM tracking on other channels.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Post on Snapchat Spotlight

Posting to Spotlight is straightforward, especially if you already share short‑form content on other networks that you track in Hubspot.

1. Open Snapchat and Access the Camera

On your smartphone, open Snapchat. The app launches directly to the camera. This is where you will capture or upload your Spotlight video.

2. Capture or Upload Your Video

• Tap and hold the capture button to record a new clip.
• Or swipe up to open Memories and choose a pre‑recorded vertical video.
• Trim the clip to keep it short, punchy, and focused on one idea.

Ensure your video is vertically oriented and uses full‑screen dimensions for the best Spotlight experience.

3. Edit the Clip for Spotlight

Use Snapchat’s built‑in tools to polish your content:

• Add captions or bold text so viewers can follow without sound.
• Use filters and lenses that enhance, not distract from, your message.
• Layer stickers or emojis sparingly to highlight key points.

This is similar to editing social creatives before loading them into Hubspot campaigns, but done directly inside the app.

4. Add a Spotlight‑Ready Description

When you tap the send arrow, choose the Spotlight option. Add a short description and relevant hashtags if they fit naturally.

• Make the description clear and descriptive.
• Avoid clickbait; focus on what viewers will actually see.
• Keep it aligned with the tone of your broader Hubspot content strategy.

5. Select the Right Audience and Submit

Choose whether the video is suitable for all audiences. Confirm the submission to Spotlight. Snapchat will review it against its guidelines before exposing it to users.

Once approved, the algorithm begins testing your clip with small audiences, then potentially broader groups based on performance.

Measuring Performance with a Hubspot Mindset

While Snapchat offers its own analytics, you can pair them with attribution thinking you may already use in Hubspot or similar platforms.

Key Metrics to Watch

• Views and unique viewers to understand potential reach.
• Completion rate to see whether your hook and pacing are effective.
• Saves and shares as indicators of strong content resonance.
• Profile visits after a video gains traction.

Track downstream engagement—such as website visits, newsletter sign‑ups, or product interest—through your broader tech stack to complete the picture.

Iterating Like a Hubspot Campaign

Treat each Spotlight upload as an experiment:

1. Set a simple hypothesis (for example, quick how‑to clips will outperform pure promotion).
2. Publish at least several variations in a week.
3. Review performance and refine topics, hooks, and lengths.
4. Double down on formats that retain viewers the longest.

This mirrors how you would refine email or blog campaigns in Hubspot, but applied to vertical video.

Additional Resources Beyond Hubspot

To go deeper into Snapchat Spotlight best practices, review the original resource that inspired this guide on the Hubspot blog at this detailed Snapchat Spotlight article. For broader digital strategy and CRM consulting that complements Hubspot usage, you can also explore Consultevo.

By combining Snapchat Spotlight’s discovery potential with an organized, data‑driven approach similar to what you apply inside Hubspot, you can reach new audiences, test creative ideas quickly, and turn short videos into a reliable awareness channel.