May 10, 2021
May 10, 2021

Allyship is an important part of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month for Snapchatters and brands alike

Snapchatters say brands have a responsibility to condemn racism, hate, and discrimination.

May marks the beginning of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the US and Canada. 1 With the sharp rise in anti-Asian violence over the last year, Snapchatters see this month as an especially important time to rally around their peers in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities.

We surveyed Snapchatters in the US and Canada to learn how they’ll celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and how they expect brands to engage now and in the future. We found from many Snapchatters a desire to educate themselves about API communities and see brands commit to fighting racial discrimination publicly. Nearly 3 in 5 Snapchatters say brands have a responsibility to condemn racism, hate, and discrimination. 2

Snapchatters are showing their support

Snapchatters recognize the need for ongoing learning about other cultures, and they are using the month of May to educate themselves and become better allies to API communities. 3

Checking out resources and talking to others about their experiences is one way Snapchatters are showing their support. They don’t shy away from difficult conversations either—the majority of Snapchatters feel informed about world events, and nearly 30% of Snapchatters report having conversations about recent anti-Asian violence with family or friends. 4 

Snapchatters are also reflecting their support through what they buy. Over a quarter of Snapchatters in the US and CA will show their support this month at Asian-owned businesses. 5 

A call to action for brands

Snapchatters believe that their actions can make a difference in social causes, and they expect brands to step up in solidarity with API communities too. 6 

According to Snapchatters in Canada (46%) and the US (39%), the most important step brands can take during Asian Pacific Islander Heritage month is to speak out against anti-Asian hate crimes. 7 Snapchatters value kindness and inclusivity, and they’d like to see the same from brands.

Simply “speaking out” isn’t enough though. Over a third of Snapchatters across the US and Canada want to see brands sharing educational materials, and a quarter want to see brands donate to support API communities, provide inspiration to celebrate, and partner or host events alongside nonprofit organizations. 8 Offering resources on allyship and fighting anti-Asian discrimination can help empower Snapchatters to take action and live up to their values.

Driving change with Snapchat 

Social and communication apps have a role to play, too. More than 3 out of 5 Snapchatters across the US and Canada agree these apps can drive awareness and action in support of communities experiencing hate and discrimination. 9 

Nearly 6 in 10 Snapchatters plan to use Snapchat during Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month to expand their support of API communities, whether that’s by seeking out Asian content creators or watching new content on Discover. 10 Lenses and Filters and connecting with friends and family are also popular ways for Snapchatters to celebrate API communities and participate in important conversations. 11

The Lens designs this year celebrate Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi Americans or the "APIDA" community. APIDA is a newer term that is building awareness and is more inclusive of the diversity of the Asian community.

Continuing the conversation

To #StopAsianHate, nearly 3 out of 5 North American Snapchatters want to see brands continue to take action in support of API communities beyond the month of May. 12 Almost half of Snapchatters in Canada (48%) and the US (45%) said they want brands to publicly commit to supporting diversity, and they would like to see more external campaigns to raise awareness. 13 Change also needs to happen on an institutional level, and Snapchatters want brands to start facilitating more internal discussions about inclusivity and addressing workplace bias. 14

It is time for brands to jump into tough conversations, condemn anti-Asian violence, and celebrate API communities. Snapchatters want to make society better for the next generation. To do that takes hard work, and Snapchatters are looking to brands for inspiration and commitment.

1 We use the term Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month to refer to Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the US and Asian and South Asian Heritage Month in Canada. You’ll also see references to APIDA, which stands for Asian Pacific Islander Desi American, and is a newer and more inclusive term.
2 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "How much do you agree/disagree with the statement - Brands have a responsibility to speak out against racism, hate, and discrimination"; US=438, CA=413
3 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "Which of the following, if any, do you plan to do this year to celebrate/support Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month?"; US=613, CA=615
4 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "Snap condemns anti-Asian violence and stands in solidarity with the AAPI community. In recent weeks, have you taken part in any of the following?"; US=490, CA=478
5 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "Which of the following, if any, do you plan to do this year to celebrate/support Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month?"; US=613, CA=615
6 2021 Global Cassandra Study commissioned by Snap Inc. | Base: Total US N=2,250 respondents | Q: How much do you agree or disagree with each of the statements below? Completely/Somewhat Agree
7 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "Which of the following, if any, would you like to see from brands during Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year?"; US=539, CA=535
8 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "Which of the following, if any, would you like to see from brands during Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year?"; US=539, CA=535
9 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "How much do you agree/disagree with the statement - Social/communication apps can raise awareness & inspire action to support communities experiencing hate & discrimination"; US=471, CA=456
10 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "To celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, in which ways will you likely use Snapchat?"; US=463, CA=444
11 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "To celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, in which ways will you likely use Snapchat?"; US=463, CA=444
12 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "Would you like to see brands continue to take action in support of Asian communities beyond the month of May?"; US=438, CA=411
13 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "How can brands continue to show support for Asian communities and #StopAsianHate?"; US=446, CA=418
14 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "How can brands continue to show support for Asian communities and #StopAsianHate?"; US=446, CA=418
1 We use the term Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month to refer to Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the US and Asian and South Asian Heritage Month in Canada. You’ll also see references to APIDA, which stands for Asian Pacific Islander Desi American, and is a newer and more inclusive term.
2 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "How much do you agree/disagree with the statement - Brands have a responsibility to speak out against racism, hate, and discrimination"; US=438, CA=413
3 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "Which of the following, if any, do you plan to do this year to celebrate/support Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month?"; US=613, CA=615
4 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "Snap condemns anti-Asian violence and stands in solidarity with the AAPI community. In recent weeks, have you taken part in any of the following?"; US=490, CA=478
5 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "Which of the following, if any, do you plan to do this year to celebrate/support Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month?"; US=613, CA=615
6 2021 Global Cassandra Study commissioned by Snap Inc. | Base: Total US N=2,250 respondents | Q: How much do you agree or disagree with each of the statements below? Completely/Somewhat Agree
7 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "Which of the following, if any, would you like to see from brands during Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year?"; US=539, CA=535
8 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "Which of the following, if any, would you like to see from brands during Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year?"; US=539, CA=535
9 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "How much do you agree/disagree with the statement - Social/communication apps can raise awareness & inspire action to support communities experiencing hate & discrimination"; US=471, CA=456
10 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "To celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, in which ways will you likely use Snapchat?"; US=463, CA=444
11 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "To celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, in which ways will you likely use Snapchat?"; US=463, CA=444
12 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "Would you like to see brands continue to take action in support of Asian communities beyond the month of May?"; US=438, CA=411
13 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "How can brands continue to show support for Asian communities and #StopAsianHate?"; US=446, CA=418
14 Snap Inc. survey of US, CA Snapchat users April 02 - 11, 2021. Age and location data subject to restrictions. See https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/a/audience-size-tool for details. Question: "How can brands continue to show support for Asian communities and #StopAsianHate?"; US=446, CA=418