Snapchat Planets Explained: What They Mean and How the Solar System Works
Snapchat is constantly introducing fun and interactive features to make chatting more engaging. One of the most popular premium features is Snapchat Planets, which is available exclusively to Snapchat+ subscribers. This feature transforms your friendships into a virtual solar system, showing where your closest friends rank based on your interactions.
If you’ve ever wondered what Snapchat Planets are, how they work, or what each planet represents, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Are Snapchat Planets?
Snapchat Planets are part of the Friend Solar System, a feature available with Snapchat+. Instead of simply labeling someone as your “Best Friend,” Snapchat assigns each of your top eight friends a planet in a solar system.
In this system:
- You are represented as the Sun.
- Your closest friends become planets orbiting around you.
- The closer a planet is to the Sun, the stronger your friendship ranking.
These rankings are based on your activity, including:
- Snaps exchanged
- Chat frequency
- Story interactions
- Overall engagement over time
The rankings are private, meaning only you and the friend (if they also have Snapchat+) can view your relationship status.
How Snapchat Friend Solar System Works
The Friend Solar System ranks your top eight friends using the planets from our real solar system.
Here’s the order:
| Planet | Friendship Rank |
|---|---|
| Mercury | #1 Best Friend |
| Venus | #2 |
| Earth | #3 |
| Mars | #4 |
| Jupiter | #5 |
| Saturn | #6 |
| Uranus | #7 |
| Neptune | #8 |
If someone appears as Mercury, they’re your most interacted-with friend on Snapchat.
What Each Snapchat Planet Means
Mercury (1st Best Friend)
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, making it your #1 best friend on Snapchat.
Characteristics:
- Highest interaction level
- Frequent snaps and chats
- Strongest friendship ranking
If someone is your Mercury, you likely communicate with them daily.
Venus (2nd Best Friend)
Venus represents your second-closest friend.
This indicates:
- Very frequent conversations
- Regular snap exchanges
- Strong but slightly lower interaction than Mercury
Earth (3rd Best Friend)
Earth symbolizes your third closest friendship.
You probably:
- Chat often
- Exchange snaps regularly
- Interact consistently
Although not your top friend, they remain among your closest Snapchat connections.
Mars (4th Best Friend)
Mars represents your fourth-ranked friend.
This friendship usually includes:
- Regular communication
- Consistent interaction
- Slightly less activity than your top three friends
Jupiter (5th Best Friend)
Jupiter is the fifth position.
Expect:
- Moderate interaction
- Frequent story views
- Occasional chats and snaps
Saturn (6th Best Friend)
Saturn indicates your sixth closest Snapchat friend.
Interactions may include:
- Weekly conversations
- Story reactions
- Casual messaging
Uranus (7th Best Friend)
Uranus represents your seventh closest friend.
This suggests:
- Less frequent communication
- Occasional snaps
- Sporadic conversations
Neptune (8th Best Friend)
Neptune is the final planet in the Friend Solar System.
This means:
- They are still among your top friends.
- Your interactions are lower compared to the other seven friends.
- They remain in your top friendship circle.
How to See Snapchat Planets
If you have Snapchat+, follow these steps:
- Open Snapchat.
- Go to your friend’s profile.
- Look for the Best Friends or Friends badge.
- Tap the badge.
- Snapchat will display the planet that represents your friendship ranking.
Remember, this feature only works if you have an active Snapchat+ subscription.
Difference Between “Best Friends” and “Friends” Badge
Many users get confused between these two badges.
Best Friends Badge
This means:
- You are in each other’s top eight friends.
- Both of you interact frequently.
Friends Badge
This means:
- They are one of your top friends, but you are not necessarily one of theirs.
The badge helps explain whether the friendship ranking is mutual.
Can Snapchat Planets Change?
Yes. Snapchat Planets update automatically based on your interactions.
Your planet ranking may change if:
- You chat with someone more frequently.
- You send more snaps.
- You interact with stories regularly.
- Your activity with another friend decreases.
For example, someone who is currently Earth could become Mercury if your interactions with them increase significantly.
Do Snapchat Planets Show Exact Rankings?
Not directly.
Snapchat doesn’t display numbers like “#1” or “#5.” Instead, it represents rankings through planets. Once you know the order of the solar system, it’s easy to understand where each friend stands.
How to Improve Your Snapchat Planet Ranking
If you want to become someone’s Mercury or move closer to the Sun, consider:
- Sending snaps daily
- Starting conversations regularly
- Replying quickly to chats
- Viewing and reacting to stories
- Maintaining consistent communication over time
Snapchat values ongoing engagement more than occasional bursts of activity.
Why Can’t I See Snapchat Planets?
There are several reasons why the feature may not be available:
- You don’t have Snapchat+.
- The Friend Solar System feature is turned off in Snapchat+ settings.
- The person isn’t one of your top eight friends.
- The app needs updating.
- The feature hasn’t rolled out to your account yet.
Updating the app and checking your Snapchat+ settings usually resolves the issue.
Is Snapchat Planet Data Private?
Yes. Snapchat Planets are designed with privacy in mind.
Only you and the relevant friend (if eligible) can see your friendship status. Other users cannot view your Friend Solar System or friendship rankings.
Final Thoughts
Snapchat Planets add a playful twist to tracking your closest friendships by turning them into a miniature solar system. Whether someone is your Mercury or Neptune, the ranking reflects how often you interact on the platform—not necessarily the overall importance of the relationship.
If you’re a Snapchat+ subscriber, the Friend Solar System is an entertaining way to see how your connections evolve over time. Just remember that these rankings are dynamic and based on engagement, so they can shift as your communication habits change.
(FAQs) About Snapchat Planets
1. What are Snapchat Planets?
Snapchat Planets are part of the Friend Solar System feature available with Snapchat+. They rank your top eight friends based on how often you interact with them on Snapchat.
2. Do I need Snapchat+ to use Snapchat Planets?
Yes. Snapchat Planets are an exclusive feature for Snapchat+ subscribers. Without a subscription, you won’t be able to view the Friend Solar System.
3. What does Mercury mean on Snapchat?
Mercury represents your #1 Best Friend—the person you interact with the most through snaps, chats, and other activities on Snapchat.
4. What is the order of Snapchat Planets?
The Snapchat Planet order is:
- Mercury
- Venus
- Earth
- Mars
- Jupiter
- Saturn
- Uranus
- Neptune
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5. How are Snapchat Planet rankings determined?
Snapchat calculates rankings based on your interactions, including:
- Snaps sent and received
- Chat frequency
- Story views and replies
- Overall engagement over time
6. Can Snapchat Planets change?
Yes. Your Snapchat Planet rankings update automatically as your interaction patterns change. Friends can move up or down the ranking based on how frequently you communicate.
7. How do I check my Snapchat Planet?
Open your friend’s profile and tap the Best Friends or Friends badge. If you’re a Snapchat+ subscriber and the feature is enabled, you’ll see the planet that represents your friendship ranking.
8. What’s the difference between the “Best Friends” and “Friends” badges?
- Best Friends: You are both in each other’s top eight friends.
- Friends: The person is one of your top friends, but you may not be in their top eight.
9. Can other people see my Snapchat Planets?
No. Your Friend Solar System is private. Only you and the friend involved (if eligible) can see your friendship ranking.
10. Why can’t I see Snapchat Planets?
You may not see Snapchat Planets because:
- You don’t have Snapchat+.
- The Friend Solar System feature is disabled.
- The friend isn’t in your top eight.
- Your Snapchat app needs updating.
- The feature isn’t available for your account yet.
11. Can I choose which planet I get?
No. Snapchat assigns planets automatically based on your activity and interactions. You cannot manually select or change your planet.
12. How can I become someone’s Mercury on Snapchat?
To improve your ranking, interact with that person more often by:
- Sending snaps regularly
- Chatting frequently
- Replying to stories
- Maintaining consistent communication over time
13. Do Snapchat Planets show real-life friendship?
Not necessarily. Snapchat Planets reflect your activity and engagement on the app, not the overall strength of your real-life relationship.
14. How often do Snapchat Planet rankings update?
Snapchat doesn’t specify an exact schedule, but rankings update automatically as your interaction habits change.
15. Is Snapchat Planet ranking permanent?
No. Rankings are dynamic and can change at any time depending on your recent activity with friends.
