Why Snapchat Planets Matter for Social Media Users
In a city as dynamic as New York City, we’re constantly navigating complex social circles. The Snapchat planets feature is the digital equivalent of this, showing your ranking in a friend’s top 8 list. This Snapchat+ exclusive uses planets to represent friendship levels, with Mercury being your closest friend (#1) and Neptune being your eighth closest friend.
Quick Answer: The 8 Snapchat Planets in Order
- Mercury – #1 Best Friend (red hearts)
- Venus – #2 Best Friend (multi-colored hearts)
- Earth – #3 Best Friend (moon orbiting)
- Mars – #4 Best Friend (purple/blue hearts)
- Jupiter – #5 Friend (no hearts)
- Saturn – #6 Friend (distinctive rings)
- Uranus – #7 Friend (green, no hearts)
- Neptune – #8 Friend (blue, no hearts)
The feature works like a real solar system – you’re the Sun, and your friends orbit around you as planets. The closer the planet is to the Sun, the stronger your friendship connection is based on snaps, chats, and streaks.
Less than 0.25% of Snapchatters use this feature daily, making it a relatively niche tool for visualizing digital friendships. While it started as an automatic feature, Snapchat made it opt-in only after users reported feeling ranked and anxious about their positions.
Understanding these planetary rankings helps you decode your social connections without getting caught up in the gamification aspect. Whether you’re Mercury in someone’s system or Neptune, remember—it’s just measuring app interaction, not the depth of the friendship you’ve built over brunch in the West Village.
Quick snapchat planets definitions:
The Complete Guide to Snapchat Planets: Order and Meaning
Think of your digital friendships like the NYC subway map—complex, interconnected, and with its own logic. Snapchat planets work in a similar way, placing you at the center as the Sun while your closest friends orbit around you. The closer they are, the stronger your friendship bond is based on how much you snap, chat, and share streaks together.
This Friend Solar System feature gives Snapchat+ subscribers a playful way to visualize their top eight friendships. Just like Mercury is closest to our Sun, your Mercury friend is the one you’re constantly sending snaps to while waiting for the L train.
| Planet | Rank | Meaning | Visual Cues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | #1 | Your closest best friend | Five red hearts |
| Venus | #2 | Strong, consistent connection | Multi-colored hearts |
| Earth | #3 | Reliable, grounded friendship | Blue/green with moon, red hearts |
| Mars | #4 | Active, energetic friendship | Red planet with purple/blue hearts |
| Jupiter | #5 | Solid but less intense bond | Orange with Great Red Spot, no hearts |
| Saturn | #6 | Core group, less frequent chats | Distinctive gold rings, no hearts |
| Uranus | #7 | Lighter interaction level | Green with swirls, no hearts |
| Neptune | #8 | Lowest interaction in top 8 | Dark blue with waves, no hearts |
Mercury: Your #1 Best Friend
Landing the Mercury spot means you’re someone’s absolute favorite person to snap. This is your go-to for everything, the friend you text for last-minute dinner plans in the East Village. This friendship thrives on constant communication—daily snaps, quick chat replies, and epic streak counts. Mercury appears surrounded by five bright red hearts, and just like the real planet that zips around the Sun fastest, this friend always circles back to you with lightning-quick responses.
The connection here feels as intense as Mercury’s proximity to the Sun. You’re probably the first person they snap when they see something funny on the subway or the last person they message before bed.
Venus: Your #2 Best Friend
Your Venus friend holds that sweet second place spot with a strong, consistent connection. This is the friend you meet for long walks through Central Park. While you might not exchange as many daily snaps as your Mercury friend, the quality of your interactions runs deep. This friendship shows up with beautiful multi-colored hearts in pink, yellow, and light blue.
Think of Venus as your reliable go-to friend for meaningful chats and shared moments that matter.
Earth: Your #3 Best Friend
There’s something wonderfully grounded and dependable about your Earth friendship. This person represents stability in your Snapchat universe—someone you can count on for regular check-ins, like a standing monthly brunch date in SoHo. Earth appears in its familiar blue and green colors, often with a tiny moon orbiting around it, plus four red hearts.
Just like our home planet, this friendship provides a steady foundation that feels comfortable and secure.
Mars: Your #4 Best Friend
Your Mars connection brings energy and adventure to your snap conversations! This is the friend who convinces you to try a new pop-up restaurant in Brooklyn. The friendship often sparks with spontaneous photo exchanges and funny videos. Mars shows up as a distinctive red planet, sometimes with visible craters, surrounded by purple and light blue hearts.
This friend keeps your Snapchat feed exciting and unpredictable in the best possible way.
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune
As we venture into the outer reaches of your Snapchat planets solar system, these friendships represent your remaining top eight connections, each with their own personality.
Jupiter (#5) is like your friend from your old office in Midtown—you maintain solid, consistent contact without the daily intensity of your inner circle. Saturn (#6) stands out with those iconic gold rings, representing someone in your core group who you connect with regularly but perhaps less directly, like a friend you only see at group hangs.
Uranus (#7) shows up as a green globe, often indicating a newer friendship or someone you follow more casually—maybe someone you met at a gallery opening in Chelsea. Finally, Neptune (#8) appears as a dark blue planet, marking your eighth closest friend—still important, but with the most relaxed interaction style.
The outer planets typically appear without hearts, reflecting their more casual nature compared to your inner planetary friendships.
How to Access and View Your Friend Solar System
The Friend Solar System is an exclusive feature for Snapchat+ members. Think of it as your VIP pass to the cosmic world of friendship rankings—like getting on the list for an exclusive speakeasy in the Lower East Side. If you’re curious about where you orbit in your friends’ digital universes, getting started is pretty straightforward.
Enabling and Disabling the Feature
Here’s something interesting about Snapchat planets: when they first launched, everyone got thrown into the cosmic ranking system automatically. But after hearing from users, Snapchat made a smart move. Now the feature starts turned off for new Snapchat+ subscribers, giving you complete control over whether you want to dive into this friendship galaxy.
Getting it set up is simple once you have your Snapchat+ subscription active. Just open your Snapchat app and tap your Bitmoji in the top left corner to reach your profile. From there, steer to the Snapchat+ section where you’ll spot the “Friend Solar System” toggle waiting for you.
The beauty of this setup is that you’re always in control. Feel like taking a break from the cosmic rankings? Toggle it off. Ready to see where you stand? Flip it back on. It’s your choice, and you can change your mind anytime.
How to See Your Planet
Once you’ve activated the Friend Solar System, finding your planetary position becomes part of your daily Snapchat routine. The process feels natural—just swipe right from the camera screen to reach your Chat screen, then tap on any friend’s profile or press and hold their Bitmoji.
Look for a special badge under their name. If you’ve made it into their top 8 friends, you’ll see either a ‘Best Friends’ or ‘Friends’ badge, both outlined with a distinctive gold ring. When you tap this badge, your cosmic position reveals itself, showing you exactly which planet you are in their personal solar system.
It’s like getting a peek into how much your digital friendship means to them, translated into the familiar language of our solar system.
‘Best Friends’ vs. ‘Friends’ Badge Explained
Understanding these badges is like learning to read the language of Snapchat planets. They tell the story of your friendship dynamics in a surprisingly meaningful way.
The ‘Best Friends’ badge with its gold ring is the friendship equivalent of a mutual connection. When you see this, it means you’re both in each other’s top eight. In a city like New York, where everyone is busy, this signifies you’re both making a real effort to stay connected.
The ‘Friends’ badge tells a different story. This gold-ringed badge means you’ve earned a spot in their top eight, but they haven’t quite made it into yours. Maybe you’re the one always initiating plans, or perhaps their social circle is just more focused than yours. It’s not better or worse—just different friendship dynamics, common in a city of millions.
Think of these badges as friendship insights rather than rankings. They help you understand the rhythm of your digital relationships without the pressure of competition.
Decoding the Algorithm and Its Impact
Understanding how the Snapchat planets feature works can feel a bit like exploring uncharted territory. Just like learning the unwritten rules of getting a table at a popular walk-in-only spot in Greenwich Village, getting familiar with the system helps you steer it without unnecessary stress.
How Snapchat Determines Your Snapchat Planets Ranking
The magic behind your planetary position isn’t random. Think of it like how your favorite NYC coffee shop knows your order by heart—it’s all about interaction and engagement. Snapchat’s algorithm tracks several key behaviors to figure out where you belong in someone’s digital solar system.
- Snap frequency plays a huge role. The more snaps you send and receive, the closer your orbit becomes. It’s like being the friend who always shares photos of their amazing finds at Smorgasburg.
- Chat frequency matters just as much. Those quick back-and-forth messages show the algorithm that you’re actively communicating. Whether you’re planning a night out in Bushwick or just checking in, every message counts.
- Snapstreaks are powerful indicators. Maintaining that fire emoji shows consistent engagement, similar to becoming a regular at your favorite neighborhood bistro.
The algorithm especially values two-way communication. It’s not enough to just send snaps; your friend needs to respond. This mutual interaction weighs heavily, much like how the best friendships in a city like New York involve give and take.
What makes this system dynamic is that your Snapchat planets ranking updates regularly based on recent activity. Your planetary positions will shift accordingly, offering a live reflection of your current interaction patterns.
Tips for Improving Your Snapchat Planets Position
If you’re hoping to move closer to the Sun in someone’s solar system, there are authentic ways to boost your interaction. Think of it like becoming a better dinner companion—it’s about genuine engagement, not just showing up.
- Snap frequently: Share those everyday NYC moments, whether it’s your morning coffee or a stunning sunset over the Hudson River.
- Reply quickly: Quick responses show you value the interaction, just like promptly RSVPing to a dinner party invitation.
- Initiate conversations: Be the friend who starts the streak or sends that random “how’s your day?” message. Taking initiative shows you’re invested.
- Use Bitmoji and Lenses: Creative, entertaining snaps are like bringing an interesting story to the dinner table—they keep people engaged.
- Be consistent: Regular, steady communication builds stronger algorithmic recognition than sporadic bursts of activity.
The Controversy and Snapchat’s Response
When Snapchat first introduced the Friend Solar System in 2022, the reception was mixed. While many users enjoyed this playful way to visualize friendships, others found it problematic, creating anxiety around social rankings—a pressure that can feel amplified in a competitive environment like New York City.
The concern was real. Seeing your exact position—or realizing you weren’t in someone’s top eight at all—caused feelings of insecurity. Parents and mental health experts raised concerns about how this digital ranking system might add to teens’ anxiety.
Snapchat listened and made a significant change, changing the feature from automatic to opt-in only. Now, new Snapchat+ subscribers have the Friend Solar System turned off by default. This response shows Snapchat’s recognition that digital features can have real emotional impacts. By making it optional, they’ve allowed people to enjoy the fun aspects of Snapchat planets without forcing anyone into a potentially stressful ranking system. For more details, you can read Snapchat’s official explainer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Snapchat’s Planets
We’ve covered a lot of ground, but some questions about Snapchat planets pop up more often than others. Let’s tackle them head-on with the answers you’re really looking for.
How often do Snapchat Planet rankings update?
Your Snapchat planets position isn’t set in stone—it’s as dynamic as the city itself! The rankings update regularly based on your most recent interactions, though Snapchat keeps the exact timing under wraps. Changes happen fairly quickly, likely on a daily basis.
This means if you’re currently orbiting as Neptune but start exchanging daily snaps and chats, you could find yourself moving closer to Mercury within days. The algorithm is constantly watching, so consistent effort to connect with a friend will be reflected in your planetary position relatively soon.
Are Snapchat Planets an accurate reflection of real-life friendships?
Here’s where we need to be crystal clear: Snapchat planets are excellent at showing your in-app interaction levels, but they’re not a crystal ball for real-life friendships. Think of them as measuring your digital chemistry, not your actual bond.
Your work friend from your office in the Financial District might be your Mercury because you send each other funny memes all day. Meanwhile, your childhood best friend could be Neptune simply because they prefer texting over Snapchat. The algorithm doesn’t know you spent last weekend helping them move from their fifth-floor walk-up in the East Village or that they’re the first person you call during a crisis.
It’s a fun, gamified way to see your Snapchat activity, but remember—the depth of real friendships extends far beyond any digital ranking. Use it for entertainment, not as a friendship report card.
Why can’t I see a planet on my friend’s profile?
There are several reasons why you might be staring at a friend’s profile wondering where your planet went. The most straightforward explanation is that you’re not in their top 8 most-interacted-with friends on the app. In a city like New York, it’s easy to have a wide social circle, so don’t take it personally!
But before you start questioning your friendship, check a few other possibilities. Both you and your friend need active Snapchat+ subscriptions to see the Friend Solar System feature. Also, the feature might be toggled off in the settings—remember, it’s disabled by default for new subscribers.
Sometimes it’s simply a matter of different communication styles. This doesn’t reflect the value of your friendship—it just means their digital solar system is currently occupied by other frequent snappers.
Conclusion
As we wrap up our journey through the Snapchat planets universe, it’s clear this feature offers both fascination and complexity. Think of it like finding a new restaurant in New York City—exciting at first glance, but you need to understand the menu to truly appreciate what’s on offer.
This unique Snapchat planets feature, available exclusively to Snapchat+ members, transforms your friendships into a cosmic experience. Your closest digital connections become planets orbiting your Bitmoji sun, creating a visual story of your social interactions. From Mercury representing your daily snap buddy to Neptune marking your eighth closest friend, each planet tells a tale of digital connection.
We’ve explored how to access this solar system, learned the difference between the ‘Best Friends’ and ‘Friends’ badges, and decoded the algorithm. The controversy around its launch reminds us that even fun features can carry emotional weight—which is why Snapchat wisely made it opt-in.
Here at The Dining Destination, we usually guide you through New York City’s most incredible culinary experiences and hidden dining gems. But just as we believe great food connects people, we recognize that understanding digital culture helps us stay connected in our modern world. The Friend Solar System might seem worlds away from exploring the street food of Queens or finding a farm-to-table restaurant in Brooklyn, but both represent how we form and maintain meaningful connections.
Whether you’re navigating the Snapchat planets or planning your next food adventure, authentic relationships—like truly exceptional meals—are about quality, not rankings. The most important connections in your life might not always show up as Mercury on your phone, but they’ll always have a special place at your table.
Ready to explore more digital culture alongside our culinary adventures? Explore more of our comprehensive resource guides where we blend the best of both worlds.
