Snapchat is constantly evolving with new features that make social interaction more fun and personalized. One of the most talked-about features in recent years is the Snapchat Best Friend Planets system. Many users notice colorful planets appearing next to their friends’ names and wonder what they actually mean.
If you have ever asked:
What are Snapchat Best Friend Planets?
What does each planet represent?
How is the order decided?
Why do only some friends have planets?
Then this detailed guide is for you. In this article, we will explain everything about Snapchat Best Friend Planets, from meanings and rankings to tips on how to change your planet status.
What Are Snapchat Best Friend Planets?
Snapchat Best Friend Planets are part of the Snapchat+ (Snapchat Plus) subscription. This feature visually represents your Best Friends list using a solar system theme, where you are the Sun, and your best friends appear as planets orbiting you.
Each planet corresponds to a specific ranking on your Best Friends list, based on how often you interact with someone through snaps and chats.
In simple terms:
The closer the planet, the stronger your Snapchat friendship.
The farther the planet, the lower the interaction compared to others.
Is Snapchat Best Friend Planets Available to Everyone?
No, this feature is exclusive to Snapchat+ subscribers.
Snapchat+ Key Points:
It is a paid subscription
Offers early access to new features
Includes Best Friend Planets, Ghost Trails, custom icons, and more
If you do not have Snapchat+, you will not see planets next to your friends.
How Does Snapchat Decide Best Friend Planets?
Snapchat uses a private algorithm, but the main factors include:
Number of snaps sent and received
Frequency of chats
Consistency of interaction
Mutual engagement (both users interacting)
Snapchat updates the rankings regularly, so planets can change if your interaction habits change.
Snapchat Best Friend Planets Order (From Closest to Farthest)
Snapchat uses the solar system model, where each planet represents a ranking from #1 to #8 Best Friend.
Here is the correct order:
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
Let’s explore each planet in detail.
Mercury – #1 Best Friend on Snapchat
Mercury represents your closest Snapchat friend.
Meaning:
You interact with this person more than anyone else
Frequent snaps and chats
Often your streak partner
Visual Features:
Small gray planet
Red hearts or sparkles around it
If someone is your Mercury, they are your Snapchat bestie.
Venus – #2 Best Friend
Venus indicates your second closest friend.
Meaning:
Very strong interaction
Just slightly less than Mercury
Often close friends or partners
Visual Features:
Yellowish planet
Heart emojis nearby
Venus is still a very strong Snapchat connection.
Earth – #3 Best Friend
Earth shows your third best friend.
Meaning:
Regular communication
Consistent snaps and chats
Close but not the top two
Visual Features:
Blue and green colors
A moon orbiting Earth
Earth often represents friends you talk to daily.
Mars – #4 Best Friend
Mars is your fourth closest Snapchat friend.
Meaning:
Frequent but slightly less interaction
Could be a good friend or group chat buddy
Visual Features:
Red planet
Small stars nearby
Mars indicates a stable but not top-tier ranking.
Jupiter – #5 Best Friend
Jupiter represents your fifth best friend.
Meaning:
Moderate interaction
Regular snaps, but not daily
Often casual close friends
Visual Features:
Large orange planet
Decorative lines or sparkles
Jupiter still shows meaningful engagement.
Saturn – #6 Best Friend
Saturn indicates your sixth best friend.
Meaning:
Occasional interaction
More snaps than average friends
Still important but less frequent
Visual Features:
Planet with rings
Light pastel colors
Saturn suggests a steady but lower level of communication.
Uranus – #7 Best Friend
Uranus is your seventh ranked friend.
Meaning:
Limited interaction
Not daily communication
Often fluctuates
Visual Features:
Light blue planet
Minimal decoration
This planet can change quickly if interaction decreases.
Neptune – #8 Best Friend
Neptune represents your eighth best friend.
Meaning:
Least interaction among your Best Friends list
Still more than regular friends
Visual Features:
Dark blue planet
Subtle sparkles
Neptune is the outermost planet and easiest to lose if interaction drops.
How to Check Your Snapchat Best Friend Planet
Follow these steps:
Open Snapchat
Go to your friend list
Tap on a friend’s profile
Look for the Best Friends badge
Tap the badge to view the planet
If you don’t see it, you may not have Snapchat+.
Why Do Only Some Friends Have Planets?
Not all friends will have planets because:
Only your top 8 friends qualify
Interaction must be mutual
Snapchat+ is required
If someone is not in your top 8, no planet will appear.
Can Someone See Their Planet on Your Snapchat?
No. This feature is private.
Only you can see which planet someone is
Your friend cannot see their ranking
Snapchat keeps it confidential
Can Snapchat Best Friend Planets Change?
Yes, planets change frequently.
Reasons for Changes:
Increased interaction with someone else
Reduced snaps with a current best friend
New streaks starting
Old streaks ending
Snapchat updates the order automatically.
How to Become Someone’s Mercury (Best Friend)?
To move up in the planet ranking:
Send snaps daily (not just chats)
Maintain streaks
Reply quickly
Avoid snapping too many other people
Consistency is key.
Difference Between Best Friends Emojis and Planets
Feature Emojis Planets
Available to everyone Yes No
Requires Snapchat+ No Yes
Visible ranking No Yes
Visual theme Emojis Solar system
Planets are a more visual and detailed version of Best Friends.
Snapchat Best Friend Planets and Relationships
Many users associate planets with:
Crushes
Romantic partners
Best friends
However, planets only reflect interaction, not emotions or feelings.
Common Myths About Snapchat Planets
Myth 1: Planets Mean Mutual Best Friend
❌ False – Planets only show your ranking.
Myth 2: Planets Are Permanent
❌ False – They change frequently.
Myth 3: Blocking Someone Removes Planets Forever
❌ False – Re-adding can restore rankings.
Privacy and Safety Concerns
Snapchat designed this feature to be private:
No public visibility
No notifications sent
No ranking alerts
Your social data stays secure.
Why Snapchat Introduced Best Friend Planets
Snapchat aims to:
Increase engagement
Add personalization
Make friendships more visual
Encourage daily usage
Gamification helps keep users active.
Advantages of Snapchat Best Friend Planets
Fun and interactive
Easy to understand rankings
Encourages consistent communication
Visually appealing design
Disadvantages of Snapchat Best Friend Planets
Requires paid subscription
Can cause overthinking in relationships
Rankings may create unnecessary pressure
Should You Care About Snapchat Planets?
That depends on how you use Snapchat. Planets are:
A fun feature
Not a measure of real friendship
Based only on app interaction
Real relationships go beyond social media.
Final Thoughts
Snapchat Best Friend Planets add a creative and colorful way to understand your Snapchat interactions. By turning your friendships into a solar system, Snapchat makes social ranking fun, engaging, and visually appealing.
However, it’s important to remember that planets are based purely on activity, not emotional connection or real-life closeness. Whether someone is Mercury or Neptune, what truly matters is genuine communication and respect.
