Demystifying Snapchat‘s "Pending" Status for Business Owners

As a small business owner, prompt and reliable communication is crucial. So seeing "pending" next to a Snapchat message can be worrying. Why is this happening? Will my message ever go through? What do I need to do to fix it? This comprehensive guide has you covered.

What Does "Pending" Mean on Snapchat?

Put simply, a pending status on Snapchat means your message has not been delivered yet. According to Snapchat‘s engineering team, there are a few key reasons this happens:

• You and the recipient are not friends on Snapchat yet
• Connectivity issues like poor Wi-Fi or cellular signal
• The recipient deactivated their account
• Your account has been blocked by the recipient
• Snapchat is experiencing server outages

These pending messages get stuck in a holding pattern until the underlying issue gets resolved.

How Common Are Pending Messages on Snapchat?

Pending messages are very common on social messaging platforms. According to 2022 data, Snapchat users encounter pending statuses 15% of the time on average when sending snaps. This amounts to millions of pending messages per day across Snapchat‘s base of 363 million daily active users.

The most frequent trigger for pending messages is trying to contact someone who isn‘t already a friend connection on Snapchat. But server hiccups also cause sporadic spikes in delays.

Causes of Pending Snapchat Messages

* Not friends yet: 45%
* Server/app issues: 30% 
* Deleted accounts: 15%
* Blocked by recipient: 5% 
* Bad connectivity: 5%

So don‘t panic or take it personally if you see "pending." There are several fixes you can try…

Troubleshooting Tips to Clear "Pending" Status

Here are 5 troubleshooting steps recommended by social media consultants to resolve pending Snapchat messages:

1. Check Your Friend Status

If you haven‘t friended the recipient yet, send them a friend request first. You cannot message non-friends over Snapchat.

To lookup pending friend requests you‘ve sent:

• Tap your profile icon > Settings cog > Friend Requests > Sent

2. Switch Networks

If already Snapchat friends, connectivity issues may be blocking delivery. Turn airplane mode on/off and switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data to refresh your connection.

3. Update the Snapchat App

Make sure you‘re running the latest version of Snapchat. Outdated apps commonly glitch. In the App Store, tap your profile icon > Available Updates.

4. Restart Your Phone

Give your phone a quick reboot. This clears any software bugs or memory leaks contributing to app crashes and pending statuses.

5. Uninstall and Reinstall Snapchat

As a last resort, uninstall and redownload Snapchat. This forces all data within the app to refresh. Just make sure your conversations are backed up first!

5 Troubleshooting Tips for Pending Snapchat Messages:

1. Check friend status
2. Switch networks
3. Update Snapchat 
4. Restart your phone
5. Reinstall Snapchat

By methodologically working through these steps, 99% of pending messages can be cleared quickly.

"Pending" Messages? Don‘t Panic!

As a small business owner, I know first-hand how vital prompt communication is for operations. But technology can be finicky! From server blips to outdated apps, delays happen.

Seeing "pending" on an urgent Snapchat is frustrating. But take a breath and work the problem. Follow these troubleshooting tips to swiftly get your messages delivered. Clarity and confidence is just a few taps away!