What’s Up With Planets on Snapchat?
So, you opened Snapchat and saw planets floating around someone’s Bitmoji. Weird, right? But also kind of cool. That’s the Snap Planets feature. If you’re confused, you’re not alone. But don’t worry. We’re gonna walk you through it without making your brain hurt.
The Basics: What Are Snap Planets?
Snapchat always comes up with quirky stuff to keep us on our toes. Snap Planets is one of those things, but it’s only for Snapchat Plus users. If you’ve subscribed, welcome to the club. If not, this is one of the reasons people do.
Snap Planets turn your top friends into planets. You’re the Sun. Your besties orbit around you depending on how much you interact with them on Snapchat. The closer the planet, the more often you chat.
Meet the Planets: What They Mean
Each friend gets a planet. There are eight total. And each one shows a different spot on your best friend list:
● Mercury is your #1 person. Always snapping. Always talking.
● Venus is second. Still really close.
● Earth is third. You’ve got a strong connection, but not quite top-two.
● Mars is fourth. You guys talk, but not as often.
● Jupiter comes in at five. Big planet, casual vibes.
● Saturn is sixth. You’ve had convos, but maybe it’s been a while.
● Uranus is seventh. Low-key buddy.
● Neptune is eighth. Distant, but still in your orbit.
Each planet also has its own look. Mercury’s red. Saturn’s got rings. Earth has a moon. It’s all part of the theme, and once you know what to look for, it’s easy to tell which friend is which.
How Snap Picks Your Planets
Snapchat hasn’t spilled all the secrets, but some things are pretty obvious. Here’s what seems to matter:
You Chat a Lot
The more you snap, message, or video call someone, the higher they rank. A ton of activity puts them closer to the Sun.
You’ve Talked Recently
It’s not just about how much. Timing matters too. Old convos fade fast. Keep it active or they’ll drift away.
Both Sides Have to Snap
If you’re the one doing all the work sending all the messages and snaps it won’t count as much. It has to be mutual.
Snapstreaks Might Matter
Nobody’s completely sure, but long streaks could help. If you’ve had that fire emoji for weeks, chances are they’re in your top eight.
How to Check Your Snap Planets
Wanna know where someone stands in your solar system? Here’s how to find out:
- First, subscribe to Snapchat Plus. No Plus, no planets.
- Go to your friend’s profile by holding down their name in chat.
- If they’re one of your top eight, you’ll see a planet pop up around your Bitmoji.
- Use the color and style to figure out where they rank.
Boom. That’s your Snap Planets lineup.
Snap Planets Move Around
Don’t get too attached to one setup. Your Snap Planets aren’t locked in. They change as your activity changes. Chat less with one person? They might slide back a few planets. Start talking more to someone new? They could rocket to Mercury.
It’s kind of fun to watch, honestly.
Things Get a Bit Messy Sometimes
This all sounds cool, but there are a few things to think about.
Some People Take It Personally
“Wait, I’m only on Mars now?” Yep. Some folks treat this like a friendship report card. Feelings can get weird.
Real Life Isn’t a Game
Just because you talk to someone a lot on Snap doesn’t mean they’re your best friend in real life. And someone who’s far away in your solar system might be the person you hang with every day. The feature doesn’t catch everything.
Snapchat’s Pretty Quiet About the Details
You won’t find a full explanation on how they rank friends. If someone drops from Earth to Neptune, there’s no alert. No reason why. It just happens. And that can be confusing.
Bugs and Glitches Happen
Sometimes changes happen even when your chats haven’t. Maybe it’s a server update. Maybe your subscription lapsed. Maybe it’s just a glitch.
It Doesn’t Show the Whole Picture
You could talk to someone on other apps more. Or maybe you hang out in person. Snap Planets only track Snapchat activity. That’s it.
What Snapchat Gets Out of This
Let’s be real Snapchat wins big here. Snap Planets get people to chat more, snap more, and stay on the app longer. And it’s a smart way to get more people to subscribe to Snapchat Plus. Want to see planets? Gotta pay.
It keeps folks coming back to check where they stand. And that means more time in the app.
This Is Part of a Bigger Thing
Snapchat’s not the only app doing stuff like this. Social media loves to gamify friendships. Likes. Follower counts. Best friend lists. And now, Snap Planets.
People like having a way to “see” their relationships. And apps know that. That’s why stuff like this keeps popping up.
Keep It Fun, Not Stressful
Here’s how to enjoy Snap Planets without losing your mind:
Keep It Light
It’s just a feature. Don’t let it mess with your head.
Talk It Out
If someone feels weird about their rank, talk about it. Most of the time, it’s just algorithms doing their thing.
Don’t Fake It
Snapping people nonstop just to climb the ranks? That’s no fun. Keep it real.
Watch the Changes
Your planets tell a story. See how things move over time. It might say more than you think.
It’s Cool… But Doesn’t Define You
Snap Planets are just a feature. They don’t decide who your real friends are. You could be someone’s Mercury and still not have a deep connection. Or you could be off the radar and still be someone’s favorite person offline.
So don’t stress about being Earth instead of Venus. Or Neptune instead of Mars. Friendships are bigger than rankings and filters.
The Final Word on Snap Planets
Snapchat’s Snap Planets are fun. They give you something new to look at, a reason to keep chatting, and a silly way to feel connected. But they’re also just that, a fun add-on.
They’re not a test. Not a label. Not something to base your whole friendship on.
So keep snapping. Laugh at your planets. And maybe, just maybe, check in on your Mercury now and then.