If you use Snapchat often, you might have noticed something interesting called Snapchat Planets. Many users see colorful planet icons beside their friends’ names and wonder what they really mean. These planets are a fun way to show how close you are with your Snapchat friends.
This article will help you understand what Snapchat Planets are, how they work, and what each planet stands for in the friendship system. You will also learn how to check your position and what each symbol means. Let’s start exploring this unique feature from Snapchat.
What Are Snapchat Planets?
Snapchat Planets are part of the Snapchat Plus subscription, a paid version of the Snapchat app that gives users special features. This feature is based on the idea of a Solar System, where each friend is represented as a planet around you.
Your closest friend on Snapchat is shown as Mercury, which is the planet closest to the Sun. Then come other planets like Venus, Earth, Mars, and so on. Each planet represents a different level of closeness or ranking on your Best Friends list.
The “Sun” in this feature is you. The planets represent how close your friends are to you based on how often you chat, send snaps, and interact with each other.
When you tap on a friend’s badge in their Snapchat profile, it shows you which planet you are in their Solar System. That means you can see how important you are in their list of best friends. The same goes for your own list — your top friends will be shown as planets revolving around you.
How the Snapchat Solar System Works
The Snapchat Planets system works like a fun friendship ranking. Here’s how it generally functions:
- You are the Sun — the center of your own Solar System.
- Your best friends are the planets orbiting around you.
- The closer the planet is to the Sun, the stronger your friendship is on Snapchat.
- Each planet represents a different position in your Best Friends list.
For example, the person you interact with the most will appear as Mercury because it is the closest planet to the Sun. Someone you talk to less frequently might appear as Jupiter or Neptune, which are farther away.
This system is visual and easy to understand, which makes it more enjoyable than just seeing a list of names.
Snapchat Plus: The Key to Seeing Planets
It’s important to know that the Snapchat Planets feature is available only to Snapchat Plus users. Snapchat Plus is a paid subscription that offers extra features not available in the free version of the app.
Some of these features include:
- Seeing who rewatched your Story
- Changing the app icon
- Using the Friends Solar System feature (Snapchat Planets)
- Pinning a friend as your #1 Best Friend
- Viewing special badges on profiles
If you don’t have Snapchat Plus, you won’t be able to see the planets around your friends or check which planet you are in their Solar System. You can, however, subscribe easily by tapping your Bitmoji or profile icon, selecting the Snapchat+ banner, and choosing a plan.
Meaning of Each Snapchat Planet
Here’s what each planet represents in the Snapchat Planets feature and how it ranks in your Best Friends list.
Each planet also has a unique color and design to make it more fun to recognize.
1. Mercury – Your #1 Best Friend
- Position: Closest planet to the Sun
- Meaning: This person is your top best friend on Snapchat.
- Color: Red with small hearts
- Symbolism: You send snaps and chat with this person the most.
2. Venus – Your #2 Best Friend
- Position: Second closest
- Meaning: The second most interacted-with friend.
- Color: Light brown or orange with hearts
- Symbolism: You still talk often, but slightly less than your top friend.
3. Earth – Your #3 Best Friend
- Position: Third planet from the Sun
- Meaning: A strong friendship and lots of communication.
- Color: Blue and green with small moons or stars around it.
- Symbolism: You both enjoy frequent chats and snaps.
4. Mars – Your #4 Best Friend
- Position: Fourth in the Solar System
- Meaning: You have good interaction but not as much as your top three.
- Color: Red or pink with some sparkles
- Symbolism: A friendly connection that may be growing or stable.
5. Jupiter – Your #5 Best Friend
- Position: Fifth planet
- Meaning: You chat and send snaps sometimes.
- Color: Orange with rings or small dots
- Symbolism: A medium-level friendship with regular but not daily activity.
6. Saturn – Your #6 Best Friend
- Position: Sixth planet
- Meaning: Someone you interact with from time to time.
- Color: Yellow with a ring
- Symbolism: Still a friend, but not among your top contacts.
7. Uranus – Your #7 Best Friend
- Position: Seventh planet
- Meaning: A friend you talk to occasionally.
- Color: Green or light blue
- Symbolism: A friendly but less active connection.
8. Neptune – Your #8 Best Friend
- Position: Eighth and farthest planet
- Meaning: The last person in your Best Friends list.
- Color: Deep blue or dark purple
- Symbolism: A less frequent connection, but still a part of your social circle.
Each of these planets gives a colorful and visual way to see how close your Snapchat friends are to you.
How to See Your Snapchat Planet
If you have Snapchat Plus, you can easily see your Snapchat Planets by following these steps:
- Open the Snapchat app.
- Tap your Bitmoji or profile icon in the top left corner.
- Go to your Friends list and tap on a friend’s name.
- Look for the “Best Friends” or “Friends” badge on their profile.
- Tap the badge.
A pop-up will appear showing you which planet you are in their Solar System.
If it says, for example, that you are Earth, that means you are their #3 best friend. If you are Mercury, you are their closest friend.
Why Snapchat Created the Planets Feature
Snapchat designed the Snapchat Planets feature to make friendships more fun and interactive. Instead of just listing names or streaks, it gives users a creative way to visualize their relationships.
It also brings an emotional and playful side to the app. Many people enjoy checking which planet their friends have placed them in. It can even help you understand who interacts with you most on the app.
Another reason for introducing this feature was to add value to the Snapchat Plus subscription. Many users upgraded their accounts just to access this fun feature.
Can You Change Your Snapchat Planet?
You can’t directly choose or change which planet you are in someone’s Solar System. Snapchat automatically decides it based on your interaction level with that person.
If you want to become someone’s closer planet (like moving from Neptune to Mercury), you simply need to chat more, send snaps, and interact regularly with them. The app updates friendship levels over time, so with more activity, your ranking can rise.
Are Snapchat Planets Private?
Yes, your Snapchat Planets are private to each friendship. Only you and your friend can see your positions in each other’s Solar Systems. No one else can view your planets or rankings.
Snapchat has always focused on privacy and close connections, and this feature follows the same principle.
Benefits of Using Snapchat Planets
Here are some reasons why many users enjoy the Snapchat Planets feature:
- It adds a visual and emotional touch to friendships.
- You can easily see how close you are to your friends.
- It helps you track your interaction levels.
- It makes chatting more engaging and fun.
- It encourages you to stay more connected with your best friends.
This playful system keeps Snapchat exciting and social, especially for those who enjoy maintaining streaks and building strong online friendships.
Common Problems or Confusion About Snapchat Planets
Some users get confused when they see different planets or don’t understand why their planet changes. This happens because Snapchat updates friendship rankings automatically based on recent activity.
If you stop chatting with someone for a few days, their planet may move farther from the Sun in your Solar System. Similarly, if you start talking to someone new more often, their planet may move closer.
It’s all about how much you interact — not how long you’ve known someone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are Snapchat Planets?
Snapchat Planets are symbols that show your position in your friend’s Best Friends list, represented as planets orbiting around you as the Sun.
2. Do I need Snapchat Plus to see Snapchat Planets?
Yes. You must subscribe to Snapchat Plus to access the Snapchat Planets and the Friends Solar System feature.
3. What does Mercury mean in Snapchat Planets?
Mercury represents your #1 Best Friend, meaning it’s the person you chat and send snaps to most often.
4. Can I hide my Snapchat Planets from others?
You can’t show or hide them manually, but they’re private between you and your friend. Other people cannot view your friendship planets.
5. Why did my Snapchat Planet change?
Your planet can change when your interaction level with that person increases or decreases. More chats and snaps make you a closer planet; less activity moves you farther away.
6. Can I have more than one Mercury on Snapchat?
No. You can have only one #1 Best Friend, so there can be only one Mercury at a time.
7. What if I don’t see the planets feature?
If you don’t see it, make sure you have Snapchat Plus and the app is updated to the latest version.
Final Thoughts
The Snapchat Planets feature is one of the most creative ways Snapchat has turned online friendships into something visual and exciting. It allows users to see how strong their connections are and adds a unique twist to regular chatting.
By turning your Best Friends list into a colorful Solar System, Snapchat has made social interaction more enjoyable. Whether you’re Mercury or Neptune in someone’s Solar System, it’s a fun reminder of how your friendships grow and change every day.
