Snapchat is known for introducing creative and interactive features that make chatting with friends more fun. One of its most popular premium features is Snapchat Planets, available exclusively with Snapchat Plus. This feature transforms your closest friendships into a virtual solar system, giving users a unique way to see where they rank among their best friends.
If you’ve ever wondered what Snapchat Planets are, how they work, or what each planet means, this complete guide explains everything in simple language.
What Are Snapchat Planets?
Snapchat Planets is a feature included with Snapchat Plus, Snapchat’s premium subscription service. It uses the eight planets in our solar system to represent your top eight closest friends on Snapchat.
In this system, you are the Sun, and your closest friends become planets that orbit around you. The closer the planet is to the Sun, the stronger your friendship ranking.
The feature doesn’t display public popularity. Instead, it reflects how frequently you and another person interact through snaps, chats, stories, and other activities on Snapchat.
How Do Snapchat Planets Work?
Snapchat automatically analyzes your interactions with friends. Based on your activity, it ranks your closest friends from one to eight.
Each ranking is represented by a different planet:
- Mercury – #1 Best Friend
- Venus – #2 Best Friend
- Earth – #3 Best Friend
- Mars – #4 Best Friend
- Jupiter – #5 Best Friend
- Saturn – #6 Best Friend
- Uranus – #7 Best Friend
- Neptune – #8 Best Friend
The rankings change over time depending on how often you communicate with someone. If you start chatting or sending snaps to another friend more frequently, their planet ranking may move closer to the Sun.
What Does Each Snapchat Planet Mean?
Mercury
Mercury represents your closest friend on Snapchat. This is the person you interact with the most through chats, snaps, and streaks.
Venus
Venus is your second closest friend. You communicate regularly, but slightly less than your Mercury friend.
Earth
Earth represents your third-best friend. You stay connected often and have consistent interactions.
Mars
Mars is your fourth closest friend. You chat frequently but not as much as your top three friends.
Jupiter
Jupiter represents your fifth closest friend. While you interact regularly, your communication isn’t as frequent as with higher-ranked friends.
Saturn
Saturn indicates your sixth-best friend. You still maintain a good connection, but interactions are more occasional.
Uranus
Uranus is your seventh closest friend. You communicate from time to time but less consistently.
Neptune
Neptune represents your eighth closest friend. They’re still among your top friends, but they’re the furthest from the Sun in your friendship ranking.
How to See Snapchat Planets
Viewing Snapchat Planets is easy if you have a Snapchat Plus subscription.
Follow these steps:
- Open Snapchat.
- Go to your friend’s profile.
- If you and your friend are among each other’s Best Friends, you’ll see a Best Friends or Friends badge.
- Tap the badge.
- Snapchat will display the friendship planet assigned to that friend.
Keep in mind that you can only see the planet for friends who are part of your Snapchat Plus friendship system.
Do You Need Snapchat Plus?
Yes. Snapchat Planets is a Snapchat Plus-exclusive feature.
Without Snapchat Plus, you won’t be able to view friendship planets or use several other premium customization features.
Snapchat Plus also includes additional benefits like:
- Story rewatch indicators
- Custom app icons
- Chat wallpapers
- Ghost Trails (where available)
- Early access to experimental features
- Profile customization options
How Are Snapchat Planet Rankings Calculated?
Snapchat has not revealed its exact algorithm, but rankings are believed to depend on factors such as:
- Number of snaps exchanged
- Chat frequency
- Snap Streak activity
- Story interactions
- Overall communication over time
The system updates automatically as your interactions change.
Can Snapchat Planet Rankings Change?
Yes. Snapchat Planets are dynamic rather than permanent.
For example:
- Sending more snaps to one friend can improve their ranking.
- Reduced communication may lower a friend’s position.
- New friendships can enter your top eight if interaction increases.
Because rankings update regularly, your friendship solar system may look different over time.
Difference Between Best Friends and Friends Badge
Many users get confused between these two badges.
Best Friends Badge
- You are in each other’s top eight friends.
- The friendship is mutual.
Friends Badge
- One of you is in the other’s top eight friends.
- The ranking is not mutual.
These badges help explain why you may see different friendship statuses with different people.
Is Snapchat Planets Private?
Yes. Snapchat Planets are designed with privacy in mind.
Only you can see your friendship ranking with another person. Other users cannot view your entire friendship solar system, and your rankings are not publicly visible.
This makes the feature fun without exposing your private interactions to everyone.
Why Are Snapchat Planets So Popular?
Snapchat Planets has become one of the platform’s most talked-about features for several reasons.
Fun Visualization
Instead of showing a simple list of best friends, Snapchat turns friendships into an engaging solar system.
Personalized Experience
Every user’s planetary system is unique because it’s based on personal interactions.
Encourages Engagement
Many users send more snaps and maintain streaks to keep close friends in higher rankings.
Exclusive Feature
Since it’s available only through Snapchat Plus, the feature feels more premium and exciting.
Tips to Improve Your Snapchat Planet Ranking
If you’d like to become someone’s Mercury instead of Neptune, staying active helps.
Some useful tips include:
- Send snaps every day.
- Maintain Snap Streaks.
- Reply to chats consistently.
- React to stories.
- Stay engaged over time instead of only occasionally.
Remember, rankings change naturally based on genuine interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Snapchat Planets available for everyone?
No. They are available only to Snapchat Plus subscribers.
Can I choose my planet?
No. Snapchat automatically assigns planets based on friendship activity.
Why did my friend’s planet change?
Your interaction frequency likely changed, causing Snapchat to update the ranking.
Can other people see my planets?
No. Your friendship rankings remain private.
How many friends appear in Snapchat Planets?
The system includes your top eight closest friends.
Final Thoughts
Snapchat Planets is one of the most creative features introduced with Snapchat Plus. By turning friendships into a miniature solar system, it gives users a fun and interactive way to understand their closest connections on the platform.
While the planets don’t define the value of a friendship, they provide an entertaining snapshot of how active your interactions are. Whether you’re Mercury, Earth, or Neptune in someone’s solar system, the rankings are always changing as conversations and snaps continue.
If you’re a regular Snapchat user and enjoy exploring new features, Snapchat Planets offers an engaging way to visualize your closest friendships while making everyday conversations a little more cosmic.
