In an era where Silicon Valley rivalries are typically played out in product updates and stock market gains, Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel has added a new flavor—public trolling on LinkedIn. In a surprising and cheeky move, Spiegel recently took a jab at Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, using the professional social media platform to highlight Snap’s innovation while indirectly criticizing Meta’s approach to copying features and lagging behind in originality.
This bold public gesture has sparked widespread debate across the tech world, especially among entrepreneurs, analysts, and social media enthusiasts who follow the ongoing power struggle between the two social media giants.
👔 LinkedIn Gets Spicy: The Viral Post
While LinkedIn is typically a haven for buttoned-up corporate updates, Spiegel decided to stir the pot. In a post that went viral within hours, Evan Spiegel shared a product update about a new Snap AR feature, with a subtle yet unmistakable jab:
“Imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery, but innovation is the real flex. Try to keep up 😉 #ARfuture #SnapLab”
Though Zuckerberg wasn’t mentioned directly, the context was clear: Meta’s long-standing habit of replicating Snap features—Stories, Filters, and AR lenses—hasn’t gone unnoticed by Snap’s leadership.
The post was accompanied by a video showcasing Snap’s latest wearable AR innovation, which many believe positions Snap as a genuine leader in augmented reality over Meta’s still-developing ecosystem.
🤖 A Brief History of the Snap-Meta Rivalry
The clash between Snapchat (now Snap Inc.) and Meta (formerly Facebook) is one of the most fascinating tech rivalries of the past decade. It all started in 2013 when Mark Zuckerberg tried to acquire Snapchat for $3 billion. Spiegel declined, famously saying:
“We’d rather build something that people love than sell out early.”
That moment became the catalyst for a copycat war:
Snap Feature | Meta Copy |
---|---|
Snapchat Stories | Instagram Stories |
Snap Camera Effects | Facebook Camera |
Snap Map | Facebook Nearby Friends |
Discover Content | Instagram Explore |
Spectacles AR glasses | Meta Ray-Ban Stories |
What followed was years of feature duplication, talent poaching, and public digs—each company racing to dominate the future of social and AR technology.
🚀 Snap’s AR Ambitions: A Real Flex?
The latest jab from Spiegel came as Snap unveiled SnapLab 2.0, an upgraded version of its AR wearable glasses. The device integrates:
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Real-time object recognition
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Environmental interaction
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Voice-activated commands
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Seamless integration with Snap’s Lens Studio
This release puts Snap ahead in practical AR deployment—where Meta’s Reality Labs has invested billions with limited commercial success so far.
The message from Snap is clear: We build, they chase.
💼 LinkedIn as a Battleground: Why It Matters
The platform choice is interesting. Unlike Twitter or Instagram, LinkedIn is a professional networking site, and Spiegel’s use of it was strategic. Here’s why:
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Professional Audience: He targeted investors, developers, and corporate leaders—not just teens and influencers.
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Recruitment Tool: It doubled as a subtle recruitment call. “Work for innovators, not imitators.”
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Investor Confidence: Spiegel indirectly told the market, “We’re not afraid to challenge the big guys.”
The post garnered over 1 million views, 75,000 reactions, and hundreds of comments from tech professionals, many of whom applauded Spiegel’s confidence and wit.
🧠 Industry Experts Weigh In
Kara Swisher, Tech Journalist:
“The Meta-Snap rivalry is Silicon Valley’s most underappreciated grudge match. Spiegel’s jab is a reminder that innovation still beats scale—at least in narrative.”
Ben Thompson, Stratechery:
“Meta has the reach. Snap has the edge in niche innovation. Spiegel’s post may be cocky, but it’s not wrong.”
Sarah Guo, Venture Capitalist:
“Evan Spiegel’s latest LinkedIn post is low-key brilliant. In an AI-obsessed world, Snap is quietly perfecting AR.”
😅 Meta’s Silent Treatment
Interestingly, Meta and Zuckerberg have remained silent—at least publicly. There’s been no formal response or comment from either the CEO or company spokespeople. But internally, sources suggest the post caused “a fair bit of chatter.”
Historically, Meta avoids public confrontations, instead preferring to launch competing features or adjust product timelines quietly in response to rivals. However, with Threads, Quest headsets, and Meta AI tools all fighting for attention, the comparison with Snap’s focused AR strategy is hard to ignore.
👓 The Bigger Picture: AR, AI, and the Race for the Future
Spiegel’s jab isn’t just about one feature or product—it’s about positioning Snap as the leader of next-gen tech. With tech companies racing toward AR, VR, and AI, here’s how the two companies compare:
Tech Category | Snap | Meta |
---|---|---|
AR Wearables | ✅ Live product (Spectacles) | 🟠 Ray-Ban Stories, early adoption |
AI Integration | 🟠 Limited | ✅ Meta AI across platforms |
Social Commerce | 🟠 Basic | ✅ Fully developed |
Advertising Model | ✅ Niche Gen Z targeting | ✅ Global scale |
Product Innovation | ✅ Original ideas | 🟠 Often reactive |
This underscores Spiegel’s core point: Snap may be smaller, but it’s leading in creative innovation—especially in AR, its core focus since 2015.
🧑🎓 Leadership Styles: Spiegel vs. Zuckerberg
The jab also highlights a difference in leadership philosophies:
Evan Spiegel:
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Prioritizes product-led innovation
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Often goes against the tide (declining Meta’s buyout, doubling down on AR early)
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Builds features tailored for young audiences
Mark Zuckerberg:
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Prioritizes scale and infrastructure
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Aggressively absorbs competitors (Instagram, WhatsApp)
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Focused on ecosystem dominance
Their contrasting styles explain why Snap can experiment freely, while Meta is expected to deliver monetization at massive scale, often through tested models.
🧑💻 How Tech Culture Reacted
The Spiegel post triggered a meme storm, discussion threads, and commentary across social media and Slack groups within tech companies. Here’s a summary of the reactions:
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Developers praised Snap’s product velocity.
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Marketers discussed whether originality matters when scale wins.
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VCs argued that Snap remains undervalued as a tech innovator.
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Meta employees reportedly felt “shaded but unbothered,” according to insiders.
One viral meme joked:
“Meta’s innovation strategy: Wait for Snap, then Ctrl+C + Ctrl+V.”
📣 The Marketing Genius Behind the Post
Beyond its sass, Spiegel’s post checks all the boxes for strategic communication:
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Brand Differentiation: Reaffirmed Snap as an innovator.
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Audience Engagement: Sparked real conversations on product originality.
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Narrative Control: Positioned Snap not as a competitor to Meta—but a pioneer.
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Recruitment Boost: Likely attracted talent who value creative freedom.
🔮 What Could Happen Next?
With Meta’s Connect 2025 event around the corner and Snap expected to announce Lens Studio upgrades, here are possible scenarios:
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Meta might respond—with a feature rollout or subtle counter-marketing.
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Snap may double down—by launching another AR surprise or user campaign.
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Zuckerberg could address it indirectly—in earnings calls or interviews.
But perhaps the biggest impact is in the public perception shift—where Snap is now seen not just as “the little app teens use” but as a technological contender with a personality.
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🌟 Conclusion: Wit, Vision, and a Dash of Drama
Evan Spiegel’s LinkedIn dig at Mark Zuckerberg isn’t just about ego—it’s a calculated move to reignite Snap’s innovation narrative, stand up to its largest competitor, and spark discussion on what truly defines a tech leader.
In an industry dominated by scale, Snap reminds us that vision, originality, and boldness still matter. The next wave of tech—AR, AI, and immersive social experiences—will require more than just replication. It’ll demand leadership with guts, creativity, and perhaps, a little bit of sass.
❓FAQs
Q1: Did Evan Spiegel directly name Mark Zuckerberg in his LinkedIn post?
No, he did not name him explicitly. However, the tone and context made the reference obvious to industry observers.
Q2: Why is Snap often referred to as an innovator?
Snap has introduced several social media firsts—Stories, AR filters, Bitmoji integration—which were later adopted by rivals.
Q3: Has Meta responded to the LinkedIn post?
As of now, there has been no official response from Meta or Mark Zuckerberg.
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