Earlier quoted context omitted.
They sell sponsored filters, iirc Snapchat is already profitable.
Heck yeah, The wave of the future is filters of selfies! Ranks right up there with Insulin, Oil extraction, Bridge construction, Mining, and more! Who would've thought?
Think of these as fashion items. Trend-driven, fleeting, and a way for people to make statements about themselves. Many here might not have much interest in fashion, but there's no denying it is a massive industry.
As augmented reality becomes big and wearables become mainstream, filters like Snapchat offers will clearly grow in demand and value as virtual fashion goods. The interesting thing is the business model because right now advertisers foot the bill, not the consumer.