Introduction
Ever notice a colorful planet next to your friend’s name on Snapchat and wonder what it means?
You’re not alone.
Snapchat Planets is one of those features that looks cool but leaves most people scratching their heads. It’s part of Snapchat Plus, the premium subscription service that adds extra fun to your snapping experience.
Basically, Snapchat Planets turns your friendships into a solar system. You’re the Sun, and your closest friends become planets orbiting around you. The closer the planet, the tighter the friendship.
Sounds interesting, right?
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything about Snapchat Planets. You’ll learn what each planet represents, how the order works, and what it says about your friendships. Whether you’re curious about that Mercury badge or wondering why your bestie is Saturn, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s dive in.
What Are Snapchat Planets?
Snapchat Planets is a feature exclusive to Snapchat Plus subscribers.
It’s basically a visual representation of your closest friendships on the app. Think of it as a ranking system, but way more creative and fun.
Here’s how it works: You become the Sun in your own solar system. Your top eight friends are assigned planets based on how often you interact with them. The friend you snap and chat with the most becomes Mercury (the closest planet to the Sun). Your eighth closest friend becomes Neptune (the farthest planet).
The feature is part of the “Friend Solar System” badge.
When you tap on the badge, you’ll see which planet you are in that friend’s solar system. It’s a two-way street, which makes things even more interesting. You might be someone’s Earth, while they’re your Venus.
Why Snapchat Added This Feature
Snapchat wanted to make friendships more tangible.
Instead of just showing a number or a fire emoji, they created something visual and playful. The planetary theme fits perfectly with Snapchat’s fun, creative vibe.
Plus, it’s an incentive to subscribe to Snapchat Plus. For $3.99 a month, you get access to Snapchat Planets along with other exclusive features like custom app icons and special Bitmoji backgrounds.
Understanding the Snapchat Planets Order
The order of Snapchat Planets follows our actual solar system.
From closest to farthest from the Sun, here’s the lineup:
- Mercury
- Venus
- Earth
- Mars
- Jupiter
- Saturn
- Uranus
- Neptune
Each planet has its own unique design and color scheme on Snapchat. They’re cute, colorful, and pretty easy to recognize once you know what to look for.
Your position in someone’s solar system depends entirely on interaction. Snapchat’s algorithm considers several factors: how many snaps you send to each other, how often you chat, story views, and overall engagement.
The more you interact, the closer you orbit.
How Snapchat Calculates Your Planet Position
Snapchat doesn’t reveal the exact formula.
But we know it’s based on a combination of factors. Sending snaps back and forth carries more weight than just viewing stories. Direct messages also count heavily.
The algorithm updates regularly, so your planetary positions can change. If you start snapping someone more often, you might jump from Saturn to Mars pretty quickly.
It’s dynamic and responds to your actual behavior on the app.
Breaking Down Each Snapchat Planet
Let me walk you through what each planet looks like and what it means.
Mercury: Your #1 Best Friend
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, which makes this person your absolute best friend on Snapchat.
On the app, Mercury appears as a reddish-pink planet with four red hearts surrounding it. The design is simple but clear: this is your top connection.
You snap this person constantly. They’re probably in your daily routine, and you never let a day go by without sending them something. The feeling is mutual if you’re also their Mercury.
Venus: Your #2 Best Friend
Venus comes in second place.
It’s shown as a light brownish planet with yellow, pink, and blue hearts floating around it. The aesthetic is warm and friendly, just like your relationship with this person.
This friend is super important to you. You might not snap them quite as much as your Mercury, but they’re still a huge part of your Snapchat life.
Earth: Your #3 Best Friend
Earth is third in line, and yes, it looks like our actual planet.
You’ll see a blue and green sphere with red hearts and a moon circling it. It’s one of the most recognizable planets in the system.
This person is definitely a close friend. You interact regularly, share inside jokes, and keep each other updated on life. They’re reliable and consistent in your snapping routine.
Mars: Your #4 Best Friend
Mars is the red planet, and Snapchat nails the look.
It appears as a reddish planet with blue and purple hearts around it. There’s also a sprinkle of stars in the background.
This friend is still in your top circle. You snap them often enough to maintain a strong connection, even if they’re not in your daily top three.
Jupiter: Your #5 Best Friend
Jupiter is the largest planet, and Snapchat represents it with a big orange planet.
You’ll notice dark orange stripes and multiple colorful hearts surrounding it. The design makes it stand out.
This person is a solid friend. You engage regularly, but maybe not every single day. They’re important but not necessarily part of your constant communication.
Saturn: Your #6 Best Friend
Saturn is the planet with the iconic rings.
On Snapchat, it’s shown as a yellow-orange planet with a prominent ring and several stars. The ring makes it instantly recognizable.
This friend is still in your top eight, which is impressive. You have a good relationship, even if you don’t snap as frequently as your closer friends.
Uranus: Your #7 Best Friend
Uranus appears as a green planet with yellow stars around it.
The design is simple but distinct. It’s one of the outer planets, meaning this person is on the edge of your closest circle.
You definitely care about this friend. You interact semi-regularly, but life gets busy, and you might go a few days without connecting.
Neptune: Your #8 Best Friend
Neptune is the final planet in your Snapchat solar system.
It’s a blue planet, similar to Earth but without the green. It has a darker, deeper blue color and is surrounded by stars.
This person rounds out your top eight. You still snap them occasionally and value the friendship, but they’re not in your everyday rotation.
How to Access Snapchat Planets
You need Snapchat Plus to see the planets feature.
Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner.
Step 2: Tap the settings gear icon in the top right.
Step 3: Scroll down and select “Snapchat Plus.”
Step 4: Choose your subscription plan (monthly or yearly).
Step 5: Complete the payment process.
Once you’re subscribed, the Friend Solar System feature activates automatically. You’ll start seeing planet badges next to your closest friends’ names.
Viewing Your Planet Position
To see where you rank in a friend’s solar system, follow these steps:
Open their friendship profile by tapping and holding their name or Bitmoji. Look for the “Best Friends” or “Friends” badge with a planet icon. Tap the badge to reveal which planet you are in their system.
Keep in mind: You can only see your position in their solar system, not the other way around. They’d need to check separately to see where they are in yours.
What Do Snapchat Planets Really Mean?
Let’s be honest: Snapchat Planets are mostly just for fun.
They don’t change how the app works or unlock special features. They’re simply a visual way to see your friendship rankings.
But they can tell you something interesting about your relationships.
If you’re consistently someone’s Mercury, you know you’re their go-to person on Snapchat. If you drop from Venus to Saturn, it might mean you’re both getting busy, or your communication patterns have shifted.
Some people take it seriously. Others completely ignore it.
The Psychology Behind It
There’s something weirdly satisfying about seeing where you rank.
It’s human nature to want to know where we stand with people. Snapchat Planets gamifies friendships in a lighthearted way.
I’ve seen friends jokingly compete to become each other’s Mercury. It adds a playful element to staying connected.
But here’s the thing: Your real friendships aren’t defined by a planet assignment. Someone could be your Neptune on Snapchat but your absolute best friend in real life. Maybe they just don’t use the app as much.
Don’t read too much into it.
Common Questions About Snapchat Planets
Can You Hide Snapchat Planets?
Yes, you can toggle the Friend Solar System feature off.
Go to your Snapchat Plus settings and find “Friend Solar System.” Switch it off if you’d rather not see the planetary rankings.
This doesn’t cancel your subscription. You’ll still have access to all other Snapchat Plus features.
Do Your Friends Know Their Planet Position?
Only if they check.
Snapchat doesn’t send notifications about planet changes. Your friends would need to manually tap on their friendship badge with you to see their position.
Most people never look, honestly.
How Often Do Planet Positions Change?
It varies based on your activity.
If you dramatically increase or decrease your interaction with someone, you might see changes within a day or two. Otherwise, positions tend to stay relatively stable.
The algorithm monitors ongoing behavior, not just a single day’s activity.
What if You’re Not in Someone’s Solar System?
It means you’re not in their top eight closest friends.
Don’t take it personally. They might have a ton of friends they snap regularly, or they might just use Snapchat differently than you do.
Remember: This is based purely on app activity, not real-world friendship quality.
Snapchat Plus: Is It Worth It for Planets?
Snapchat Plus costs $3.99 per month or about $40 annually.
The planet’s feature is fun, but is it worth paying for?
That depends on how much you value these extras:
- Friend Solar System (the planets feature)
- Custom app icons and colors
- Special Bitmoji backgrounds
- Exclusive badges
- Story rewatch count
- Ghost Trails (see where friends have been in the last 24 hours)
- Priority replies to your stories
If you’re a heavy Snapchat user who loves customization, it might be worth it. The planets are a nice bonus, but the other features add value too.
However, if you mainly use Snapchat casually, the free version works perfectly fine.
My Take on Snapchat Plus
I subscribed for a few months to test everything out.
The planet’s cute and occasionally interesting. I liked seeing which friends I interacted with most, and it motivated me to reach out to people I hadn’t snapped with in a while.
But I’ll be honest: The novelty wore off after about a month.
The custom app icons were cool at first. The story rewatch count was mildly interesting. But none of it felt essential to my Snapchat experience.
I eventually canceled my subscription and didn’t really miss it.
That said, plenty of people absolutely love Snapchat Plus. If you’re someone who thrives on the social dynamics and gamification aspects, you’ll probably enjoy it more than I did.
Tips for Climbing the Planetary Ranks
Want to become someone’s Mercury?
Here are some strategies:
Send daily snaps. Consistency matters more than quantity. One snap every day beats ten snaps once a week.
Have actual conversations. The chat feature counts heavily toward your ranking. Don’t just send streaks have real exchanges.
Reply to their stories. Engaging with their content shows active interest and boosts your interaction score.
Use video snaps. They feel more personal and tend to generate better responses than photo snaps.
Create inside jokes. When you have shared humor, you’ll naturally want to snap each other more often.
But here’s the most important tip: Don’t force it.
Genuine friendships develop naturally. If you’re obsessing over becoming someone’s Venus when you’re currently their Jupiter, you might be missing the point.
The planets are fun, but they shouldn’t dictate how you maintain friendships.
The Privacy Side of Snapchat Planets
Some people worry about privacy with this feature.
Good news: Your planet information is private by default. Other users can only see where they rank in your solar system, not where anyone else ranks.
Your complete top eight list isn’t visible to anyone.
Each friend only sees their individual position when they check their badge on your profile. They can’t see who else is in your solar system or compare positions with other friends.
This design choice makes sense. Snapchat wanted to avoid drama and competition between friends.
Disabling the Feature
If you’re uncomfortable with the planet’s feature entirely, turn it off in your Snapchat Plus settings.
Your friends won’t see any planetary badge on your profile, and you won’t see theirs. It’s a clean way to opt out while keeping your subscription active.
Snapchat Planets vs. Best Friends List
You might wonder how this differs from Snapchat’s original Best Friends feature.
The Best Friends list used to be public, which caused tons of drama back in the day. Everyone could see everyone else’s top friends, leading to hurt feelings and relationship issues.
Snapchat removed public Best Friends lists years ago.
Now, Snapchat Planets brings back a similar concept but with privacy built in. It’s like Best Friends 2.0 more visual, more fun, and way less problematic.
The main difference? Privacy and presentation.
Planets feel playful and gamified rather than like a ranked list. The solar system theme makes it less confrontational than seeing “Rank #8” next to your name.
How Snapchat Planets Affect Friendships
Let’s talk about the social dynamics here.
For most people, Snapchat Planets are harmless fun. They might spark a conversation (“Hey, I’m your Mars!”) or motivate people to stay in touch more consistently.
But for some, especially younger users, these rankings can create anxiety.
Teenagers might stress about not being someone’s Mercury or worry when their position drops. The competitive nature can amplify existing insecurities about friendships and social standing.
Parents should be aware of this if their kids use Snapchat Plus.
It’s worth having conversations about how app features don’t define real friendships. Someone’s value as a friend isn’t measured by their planet assignment.
Using Planets Positively
Here’s how to approach this feature healthily:
See it as a conversation starter. Use your planet position to reach out and reconnect with friends.
Don’t compare. Your social dynamics are unique to you. Someone else’s solar system means nothing about yours.
Remember, it’s an algorithm. The app doesn’t understand context, inside jokes, or the depth of your connections.
Focus on quality. Being someone’s Neptune but having deep, meaningful conversations matters more than being their Mercury through daily streaks.
Take breaks. If you find yourself obsessing over positions, turn off the feature or take a Snapchat break altogether.
Troubleshooting Snapchat Planets Issues
Sometimes the planet’s featurefeaturesdon’tas expected.
Here are common issues and solutions:
Problem: You subscribed to Snapchat Plus but don’t see planets.
Solution: Make sure you enabled Friend Solar System in your Snapchat Plus settings. Restart the app if needed.
Problem: Your planet’s position seems wrong or outdated.
Solution: The algorithm needs time to update. Wait 24-48 hours and check again. Make sure you’re actively snapping that person.
Problem: You can’t see your position in a friend’s solar system.
Solution: They might not be a Snapchat Plus subscriber, or they’ve turned off the Friend Solar System feature.
Problem: The planetary badge disappeared.
Solution: You or your friend may have fallen out of each other’s top eight. Increase your interaction to get back into the solar system.
When to Contact Snapchat Support
If none of these solutions work, you might have a technical glitch.
Contact Snapchat Support through the app: Settings > I Need Help > Contact Us. Describe your issue with Snapchat Planets specifically.
They’re usually pretty responsive with Snapchat Plus issues since you’re a paying subscriber.
The Future of Snapchat Planets
Snapchat regularly updates and tweaks its features.
The planet’s feature is relatively new, having launched with Snapchat Plus in mid-2022. Since then, Snapchat has refined the algorithm and visual designs based on user feedback.
What might come next?
Potentially more customization options, like choosing your own solar system theme. Maybe animated planets or special effects when you reach certain milestones.
Some users have requested expanding beyond eight planets to include more friends. Others want more transparency about the algorithm.
We’ll have to wait and see what Snapchat decides.
For now, the feature remains one of the most popular aspects of Snapchat Plus, and that probably means it’s here to stay.
Conclusion
Snapchat Planets transforms your closest friendships into a colorful solar system where you’re the Sun.
It’s creative, visual, and adds a playful dimension to tracking your connections. Whether you’re Mercury in someone’s world or Saturn, each position reflects how you interact on the app.
The feature isn’t perfect, and it’s definitely not essential. But for Snapchat enthusiasts who enjoy the social gamification aspect, it’s a fun addition to the platform.
Remember: Your real friendships exist beyond any app’s ranking system. Snapchat Planets might show you who you snap the most, but it can’t measure inside jokes, late-night phone calls, or the friend who shows up when life gets hard.
Use the feature for fun, not as a measure of your worth or your friendships’ value.
Have you checked your Snapchat Planets lately? Which planet are you on in your best friend’s solar system? The answers might surprise you—or confirm exactly what you already knew.
FAQs
What are Snapchat Planets?
Snapchat Planets is a Snapchat Plus feature that represents your top eight friends as planets in a solar system. You’re the Sun, and your closest friend is Mercury, while your eighth closest friend is Neptune. It visually shows your friendship rankings based on interaction.
How much does Snapchat Plus cost to access Planets?
Snapchat Plus costs $3.99 per month or approximately $39.99 per year. The subscription includes Snapchat Planets along with other exclusive features like custom app icons, story rewatch counts, and special badges.
Can I see someone’s full solar system?
No, you can only see where you personally rank in someone’s solar system. Your complete top eight list is private, and each friend can only view their individual position when they check their badge on your profile.
How often do Snapchat Planets change?
Planet positions update based on your ongoing interactions. If you significantly increase or decrease communication with someone, changes can happen within a day or two. Otherwise, positions typically stay stable unless interaction patterns shift.
What does it mean if I’m someone’s Earth?
Being someone’s Earth means you’re their third closest friend on Snapchat. You interact regularly and maintain a consistent connection, though two other people currently snap with them more frequently.
Can you turn off Snapchat Planets?
Yes, you can disable the Friend Solar System feature in your Snapchat Plus settings while keeping your subscription active. This removes planet badges from your profile and prevents you from seeing others’ planets.
Do Snapchat Planets affect your Snap Score?
No, Snapchat Planets don’t directly impact your Snap Score. They’re simply a visualization of your existing friendships. Your Snap Score increases through sending and receiving snaps regardless of your planetary positions.
Why am I not in someone’s solar system?
If you’re not in someone’s solar system, you’re not in their top eight most-contacted friends on Snapchat. This is based purely on app interaction frequency and doesn’t reflect real-world friendship quality.
What’s the difference between Best Friends and Snapchat Planets?
Best Friends is a free Snapchat feature showing who you snap with most frequently. Snapchat Planets is exclusive to Snapchat Plus and presents your top eight friends as planets in a solar system, making the rankings more visual and playful.
Is Snapchat Plus worth it just for the Planets feature?
That depends on your usage. If you’re a casual user, probably not. But if you heavily use Snapchat and enjoy the social gamification aspects, the planets feature combined with other Snapchat Plus perks might justify the $3.99 monthly cost.
