Snapshot Quick Start
Snapshot shows real-time sentiment via options flow. Bullish flow (green) = call buying. Bearish flow (red) = put buying. Use flow strength (3x+ = strong, 5x+ = extreme) and time filters to find conviction before it shows on the chart.
Snapshot showing bullish and bearish flow with premium totals
What is Snapshot?#
What You Get#
- Real-Time Sentiment: Bullish vs bearish options flow at a glance
- Flow Strength: Ratio of call premium to put premium (or vice versa)
- Time Filters: Today, Yesterday, This Week, Last Week, Custom
- Ticker Search: Sentiment for specific stocks
Why Snapshot Matters#
Options flow leads price. When institutions buy calls, they expect upside. When they buy puts, they expect downside. Snapshot aggregates that flow into a simple bullish/bearish ratio so you see conviction before the move.
Understanding Flow#
Bullish (Green)#
- Call buying dominates
- Institutions are betting on upside
- Higher ratio = stronger conviction
Bearish (Red)#
- Put buying dominates
- Institutions are betting on downside
- Higher ratio = stronger conviction
Flow Strength Interpretation#
| Ratio | Strength | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| 1x-2x | Weak | Mixed flow, low conviction |
| 3x+ | Strong | Clear directional bias |
| 5x+ | Extreme | Possible contrarian fade |
Time Filters#
| Filter | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Today | Intraday sentiment, day trading |
| Yesterday | Overnight context, gap setup prep |
| This Week | Swing trade bias |
| Last Week | Weekly trend, sector rotation |
| Custom | Specific date range for research |
Which Filter for Which Style#
| Trading Style | Primary Filter | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Day trading | Today | Yesterday |
| Swing trading | This Week | Today |
| Position trading | Last Week | This Week |
Quick Reference#
Daily Workflow#
- Pre-Market: Open Snapshot, check Yesterday for overnight flow
- 9:30 AM: Switch to Today, watch for first 3x+ ratio
- Throughout Day: Monitor flow shifts (bullish to bearish or vice versa)
- Before Close: Review This Week for swing ideas
Decision Tree#
START → Snapshot
Flow ratio?
├─ 3x+ bullish → Confirm with chart → Consider calls
├─ 3x+ bearish → Confirm with chart → Consider puts
├─ 5x+ extreme → Contrarian fade possible
└─ Under 3x → Low conviction, wait for clearer signal
Top 5 Rules#
- 3x+ = signal - Below 3x is noise
- Confirm with chart - Flow + price action = conviction
- 5x+ = extreme - Consider fading, not following
- Use time filters - Today for day trades, This Week for swings
- Flow shifts matter - Reversals = momentum opportunities
Common Questions#
What does the ratio mean?
Call premium divided by put premium (or vice versa). 3:1 bullish = $3 of call buying for every $1 of put buying.
How often does Snapshot update?
Real-time as new flow comes in. Same data as OptionFlow, aggregated by sentiment.
Can I search a specific ticker?
Yes. Use the ticker filter to see sentiment for one stock.
What if flow is bullish but price is down?
Flow can lead. Check if it's a new shift (reversal) or if price hasn't caught up yet. Confirm with support levels.
Next Steps#
- Reading Sentiment - Four sentiment trading strategies