Snapchat Solar System: Decode Your Friend Status

If you're a regular Snapchat user or have recently upgraded to Snapchat+, you might have noticed a playful feature called the Snapchat Solar System. This isn’t just a fancy name—it’s a visual way to show how close you are to your best friends on the app. Think of it as a digital orbit where every friend holds a place in your galaxy, depending on how much you interact with each other. Let's dive into what this feature really is, how it works, and what each planet says about your relationship.

What Is the Snapchat Solar System?

The Snapchat Solar System is available exclusively to Snapchat+ subscribers and acts as a kind of friendship ranking tool. Rather than just listing out friends by number, Snapchat uses Snapchat planets from our solar system to visually show where you stand in someone else's friend circle. The closer you are to the Sun (i.e., the user), the more you interact with them. The feature is private, engaging, and adds a bit of whimsy to your social media experience.

Where to Find the Feature

To access the Solar System, you must be subscribed to Snapchat+. Just tap on a friend’s Bitmoji, and if you’re one of their top friends, you’ll see a “Best Friends” or “Friends” badge featuring a planet and a golden ring. Tap it, and you’ll see yourself as a planet in their digital orbit. It's only visible to you, not your friends, keeping the feature fun yet personal.

Mercury – The #1 Best Friend

If you're represented by Mercury in someone’s Snapchat Solar System, you're at the very top of their list. You two are snapping, chatting, reacting, and video calling more than anyone else on their list. Being Mercury means you’re their digital ride-or-die—the closest connection they have on the app. Expect to be the one they share memes with first, vent to late at night, or send daily snaps without fail. Mercury is all about intensity and frequency, and if you're here, you’ve earned it.

Venus – The #2 Best Friend

As Venus, you’re the second closest person in their Snapchat world. You probably snap regularly, share lots of inside jokes, and have long conversations—just not quite as frequently as their Mercury. Still, Venus holds a strong place of connection and trust. You might be their backup confidant or a friend from a different social group. The bond is solid and real, even if you’re one spot behind.

Earth – The #3 Best Friend

Earth is a well-rounded position in the Solar System. Being Earth means you're still in that inner circle—maybe you don't chat every single day, but you’re a reliable and meaningful connection. This is often the spot for childhood friends, longtime besties who’ve gone a bit quieter, or people with busy schedules but consistent contact. Earth also represents balance—your friendship is grounded and meaningful without needing constant maintenance.

Mars – The #4 Best Friend

Mars is where things get a little more casual. You might share funny videos or memes occasionally, maybe exchange a few snaps a week, but you’re not quite in daily touch. Mars usually reflects a friend you like and still want to keep in your digital orbit, but not necessarily someone you talk to all the time. The interaction is lighthearted, fun, and still valued, even if it’s not constant.

Jupiter – The #5 Best Friend

As Jupiter, you’re drifting a bit further out, but your presence still matters. This could be a co-worker you check in with from time to time, or someone you used to talk to a lot more. Interactions may come in bursts—weeks of silence, followed by a quick streak or chat. You’re still on the list, which counts for something, but the bond might not be as tight as it once was. Think of it as a casual, friendly connection.

Saturn – The #6 Best Friend

Saturn represents a friendly but somewhat distant connection. You’ve interacted enough to stay in the top eight, but your relationship may be more surface-level or situational. Maybe you once played the same game or attended the same class. The occasional snap or reaction keeps the link alive, but there’s room for growth if you want to climb closer to the Sun. Saturn’s rings are iconic, and maybe so is your occasional banter.

Uranus – The #7 Best Friend

Uranus is pretty far out in the Snapchat Solar System, and the connection reflects that. If you’re showing up as Uranus, your interaction with this person is rare but not nonexistent. Maybe you just started talking again after a long break or exchanged a couple of random snaps recently. It's a placeholder for potential—you’re still on the radar, but you’d need to increase communication to move inward.

Neptune – The #8 Best Friend

Neptune, the furthest planet in the system, means you barely made the top eight. It's likely the person doesn't interact with anyone else more than you beyond the top seven. You might have exchanged a few snaps over the last month or sent a meme or two. While it’s the outermost orbit, it’s still better than being completely outside the Solar System. If you value the connection, Neptune can always come closer with a little more engagement.

Is It All Just for Fun?

Yes—and no. The Snapchat Solar System is designed to be fun, visual, and interactive. But as with any feature that ranks friendships, it can come with mixed feelings. Some people might feel excited to be someone’s Mercury, while others might be disappointed to find themselves as Neptune (or not on the list at all). The key is to take it lightly and use it as a nudge to reconnect, not a measure of worth.

How Does Snapchat Determine These Rankings?

Snapchat doesn’t share the full algorithm, but generally, your ranking depends on how frequently you and the other person interact. This includes:

• Number of snaps sent and received
• Chat frequency
• Snap replies
• Shared Stories or memories
• Video call frequency

If you’re someone who sends good morning snaps every day or shares memes constantly, you’ll likely stay near the top. But if someone else starts snapping them more, your ranking might drop.

It's similar to how Snapstreaks work—you need consistency to stay on top.

Can You Change Your Planet Rank?

The only way to move up in someone’s Snapchat Solar System is to interact more with them on the app. Send more snaps, reply to their messages, and keep that digital conversation going. Over time, the algorithm will recognize the increased activity and bump you closer to the Sun.

However, this only works if the other person also engages with you. If you’re one-sided in your efforts, you might not see any change. It’s about mutual interaction, not spam.

Snapchat Solar System vs. Snapstreaks: What’s the Difference?

You might be wondering how the Solar System compares to Snapstreaks. Both are Snapchat+ features that measure interaction, but they focus on different aspects.

• Snapstreaks track how many consecutive days you’ve exchanged snaps.
• The Solar System shows your overall interaction level and best friend ranking.

You can be on a long Snapstreak with someone and still not be their #1 if they’re interacting more with someone else. The Solar System provides a bigger picture, while streaks just show consistency over time.

What If You Don’t See a Planet?

There are a few reasons you might not see a planet badge on a friend’s profile:

• You’re not on their Best Friends list.
• You or they don’t have Snapchat+.
• They’ve disabled friend badges in settings.
• You haven’t interacted enough recently.

In short, no planet means you're probably not in their top eight—or they don’t use Snapchat+ features. Don't take it personally! Snapchat is just one part of how people communicate.

Final Thoughts: A Universe of Friendships

The Snapchat Solar System is one of the most creative features the app has rolled out in recent years. It’s visual, it’s intuitive, and it makes digital friendships feel more alive. Just like the real universe, these relationships are always in motion—changing, evolving, drifting, and returning.

Whether you’re Mercury or Neptune, what matters most is that you stay connected in a way that feels genuine. A few planets closer might mean more streaks, but the best friendships are built on authenticity, not algorithms.

So next time you check your Solar System badge, smile at where you are—but don’t forget to enjoy the journey, not just the orbit.