Snapchat Planets has evolved beyond just disappearing messages and fun filters. With the launch of Snapchat+, a premium subscription service, the platform introduced several exclusive features—one of the most talked-about being the Snapchat Planets also known as the Snapchat Friend Solar System. But what exactly are these Snapchat Planets, and what do they mean? This guide will break down everything you need to know.
What Are Snapchat Planets?
Snapchat Planets are a fun, visual way to show your friendship rankings with your top best friends on Snapchat. Inspired by our solar system, this feature is part of the Snapchat Plus subscription and transforms your friendship list into a cosmic journey—literally placing your best friends as planets orbiting around you, the “Sun.”
In this model:
- You are the Sun
- Your top 8 friends are represented as planets, each in a specific order that correlates with your level of interaction
This planetary alignment gives Snapchat+ users a playful way to understand their social dynamics on the app.
Snapchat Friend Solar System: How It Works
Snapchat uses a Solar System analogy to represent your interaction frequency with your closest friends. You (the Snapchat+ subscriber) are always at the center—the Sun. The people you interact with the most are represented as Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, based on your interaction levels.
Here’s a breakdown of the planets and what they signify:
1. Mercury – Your #1 Best Friend
If someone is your Mercury, they are the person you interact with the most—your number one best friend on Snapchat. You send each other the most snaps and chats, and have the strongest Snapstreaks. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, symbolizing the highest level of engagement.
2. Venus – Your #2 Best Friend
Venus is your second closest friend. You still interact with them frequently, but not as much as your Mercury. Think of it as your runner-up bestie in the Snapchat Friend Solar System.
3. Earth – Your #3 Best Friend
Your Earth friend is still in your top tier. Earth is seen as someone you communicate with often, but not daily. It’s a strong friendship, but with slightly less interaction.
4. Mars – Your #4 Best Friend
This planet represents a good friend with regular interaction but less intensity than your top three. Mars symbolizes loyalty and consistency.
5. Jupiter – Your #5 Best Friend
Jupiter friends are still meaningful but may not be someone you talk to every day. This person might be someone you have occasional streaks with or engage with on stories.
6. Saturn – Your #6 Best Friend
If someone is Saturn in your Snapchat Friend Solar System, you have a decent friendship, but you’re not snapping constantly. Still, you’re in each other’s radar.
7. Uranus – Your #7 Best Friend
Uranus represents more distant yet still important connections. You probably snap once in a while or comment on each other’s stories.
8. Neptune – Your #8 Best Friend
Neptune is the outermost planet in the solar system, which means this is your least interacted-with best friend within the top 8. You’ve got a casual streak or occasional interactions.
How to Access the Snapchat Planets Feature
To see your Snapchat Planets, you must be a Snapchat+ subscriber. Here’s how to access it:
- Open the Snapchat app.
- Go to a friend’s profile who you think is one of your best friends.
- Tap on the “Best Friends” badge (a gold heart with a sparkle).
- A pop-up will show a planet emoji and your solar system position with that friend.
For example, if you see the Earth emoji, it means that friend is your #3 best friend on Snapchat.
Snapchat Plus and Why Snapchat Planets Are Exclusive
The Snapchat Planets feature is exclusive to Snapchat+, the premium version of Snapchat. Snapchat+ offers several benefits, including:
- Seeing who rewatched your stories
- Custom app icons
- Story boost
- Pinning a #1 BFF
- Ghost Trails
- Snapchat Friend Solar System
Snapchat Plus costs around $3.99/month, but prices can vary depending on your region.
Can My Friends See Their Planet Rank?
No—only you (the Snapchat+ subscriber) can see the planetary ranking. Your friends will not be notified or shown which planet they are in your solar system. This keeps things private and avoids potential awkwardness around friendship rankings.
That being said, if both people are Snapchat+ users, each can see their version of the solar system based on their own interactions.
Are Snapchat Planets Accurate?
The Snapchat planets system is based on how often you interact with someone—snaps, chats, voice calls, and more. It’s a reflection of Snapchat’s internal algorithm. However, Snapchat doesn’t publicly disclose the exact weight it assigns to each interaction type. So while it’s pretty accurate in terms of general activity, the exact planet you see might shift over time as your interactions change.
Example: If you’ve been snapping your Mercury friend less and talking more with another user, your Mercury might get bumped down to Venus or Earth.
How to Change Your Snapchat Best Friends Planets
There’s no direct way to “edit” your Snapchat Planets manually. However, you can influence the rankings by increasing or decreasing your interaction with certain friends.
To bump someone up the planet list:
- Snap them more often
- Reply to chats
- Start a Snapstreak
- Share Bitmoji stories
- React to their Snaps
To reduce someone’s planet rank, just reduce your activity with them.
Why Are Snapchat Planets Popular?
The Snapchat Planets feature adds a fun, gamified layer to friendships. Just like astrology or Myers-Briggs personality types, people love learning about themselves—and how they relate to others. This cosmic visualization makes understanding friendships more engaging and colorful.
It also taps into a bit of nostalgia and education. Many people grew up learning about the solar system, so applying that to friendships is both clever and memorable.
Final Thoughts on Snapchat Planets
The Snapchat Planets system is more than just a flashy gimmick. It gives users an insightful, visual way to understand their Snapchat friendships. As part of the Snapchat Plus feature, it makes premium membership more appealing for those who are heavily invested in their Snap interactions. Whether you’re Mercury to someone or hanging out in Neptune, Snapchat Planets give a unique perspective on how close your digital bonds really are.
