Introduction: The Rise of Snapchat Planets
Snapchat has always been known for its creative features, quirky designs, and unique ways of connecting people. From disappearing messages to funky filters, it’s the app that has redefined how we communicate in the digital age. In 2022, Snapchat rolled out one of its most fascinating features for Snapchat Plus subscribers: Snapchat Planets. This feature instantly caught attention, sparking curiosity and even a little bit of confusion. What do these planets mean? Why do some people get to be the Sun while others are Mercury or Venus?
The concept of Snapchat Planets isn’t just a playful idea thrown into the app. It’s an entirely new way of showing friendship and closeness between users. Much like how astrology uses planets to reflect energy and personality, Snapchat uses its “Friend Solar System” to illustrate your digital relationships. It’s a feature that takes the basic “best friends” idea and makes it more colourful, cosmic, and fun.
But Snapchat Planets are more than just pretty icons. They carry meaning, they symbolise how connected you are with someone, and they’ve become a topic of discussion across social media platforms. People want to know why they’re Mercury instead of Mars, or why their best friend is floating far away as Neptune. It’s not just a digital gimmick—it’s a mirror of your interactions. And because this system is only available to Snapchat Plus users, it also adds a layer of exclusivity.
In this article, we’ll break down everything about Snapchat Planets. From what they mean, how they work, and why they matter, to how people are using them in their daily lives. We’ll go deep into each planet’s symbolism, compare the Snapchat solar system to real astronomy, and even tackle some of the controversies around this feature. By the end, you’ll have a complete, expert-level understanding of Snapchat Planets—without the confusion.
What Are Snapchat Planets?
At its core, Snapchat Planets is part of the Snapchat Plus Friend Solar System, a feature that takes your best friends list and transforms it into a visual space-themed experience. Instead of just seeing a list of names or emojis, your top eight closest friends are represented as planets orbiting around your “Sun.” And yes, in this metaphor, you are the Sun.
Each planet corresponds to a friend, ranked based on how much you interact with them. For example, your number one best friend might be Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun. Your second closest friend would be Venus, and so on, all the way to Neptune. This ranking system is based on your snaps, chats, streaks, and general interaction level. The more you talk to someone, the closer they are to you in this cosmic universe.
The fun part is that each planet isn’t just a label—it comes with colourful designs, emojis, and sometimes quirky animations. Mercury might look like a fiery ball close to you, while Neptune floats farther away in calming blues. It’s not just informative but also visually appealing, making checking your best friends list feel less like data and more like an interactive experience.
Snapchat didn’t introduce Planets just for fun. It’s a social psychology tool cleverly disguised as a feature. By gamifying friendships, it nudges users to keep engaging with their closest people. If you notice that your best friend has suddenly “moved planets,” it sparks curiosity: “Have I not been snapping them enough?” or “Did someone else take my spot?” This subtle social pressure keeps the app lively and encourages daily interactions.
How the Snapchat Planets System Works
The Snapchat Planets system revolves around eight planets, just like in real astronomy. Each of your top eight friends is assigned a planet, depending on your interaction ranking. Here’s the breakdown:
- Mercury – Best Friend #1 (Closest to the Sun/You)
- Venus – Best Friend #2
- Earth – Best Friend #3
- Mars – Best Friend #4
- Jupiter – Best Friend #5
- Saturn – Best Friend #6
- Uranus – Best Friend #7
- Neptune – Best Friend #8 (Farthest from the Sun/You)
The symbolism here is pretty straightforward. Just like in our solar system, the closer a planet is to the Sun, the more significant it is. In Snapchat’s world, this translates to interaction: the more you communicate with someone, the closer they are to you.
However, Snapchat adds its creative twist. Each planet has a distinct emoji design, often featuring little hearts, sparkles, or unique colours to highlight the type of relationship. For example, Mercury may have red hearts to show deep interaction, while Neptune might come with calmer tones, symbolising distance.
This system is dynamic. Your planets can change regularly depending on your activity. If you suddenly start snapping a different friend more often, they might “jump planets,” moving closer to you while someone else drifts farther away. This constantly shifting solar system keeps friendships feeling active and competitive in a playful way.
Another interesting element is that Snapchat Planets are two-sided. You can see how your friends appear in your solar system, but you can also check where you stand in theirs. This mutual transparency adds another layer of depth to digital relationships. People can now compare planets, sparking everything from laughs to jealousy.
The Symbolism Behind Each Snapchat Planet
Each planet in the Snapchat solar system carries its symbolic meaning. While Snapchat doesn’t officially define these deeper interpretations, users have created their associations, often blending real astronomy with friendship psychology. Let’s break down each planet:
Mercury – The Closest Bond
Mercury represents your number one best friend. Just like Mercury orbits closest to the Sun, this person is closest to you in your Snapchat world. The connection here is strong, frequent, and often daily. You probably have streaks together, constant chats, and share random life updates throughout the day.
Venus – The Loyal Companion
Venus, often associated with love and harmony in real life, is your second closest friend. This is the person who may not top the list but is still incredibly important. They might be your go-to for deeper conversations, emotional support, or consistent check-ins.
Earth – The Balanced Friend
Earth is all about balance. This friend may not chat with you 24/7, but they provide stability. They’re reliable, grounded, and part of your regular digital life. Just like Earth sustains life, this friend sustains your Snapchat experience in meaningful ways.
Mars – The Energetic Pal
Mars, often tied to action and energy, represents that lively, fun friend. You might send each other memes, random updates, or quick snaps. This friend adds vibrancy to your Snapchat universe.
Jupiter – The Expansive Friend
Jupiter is the biggest planet, symbolising growth and expansion. This could be a friend you don’t chat with constantly, but when you do, the conversations are big, meaningful, and memorable.
Saturn – The Distant but Important One
Saturn, with its famous rings, often represents structure and boundaries. This friend might not interact with you daily, but they play a significant role when they do. Maybe they’re a school friend, a cousin, or someone you respect deeply.
Uranus – The Unique Connection
Uranus is often associated with individuality and uniqueness. This friend may be quirky, different, or someone you share specific hobbies with. You might not snap them all the time, but when you do, it feels special.
Neptune – The Farthest Friend
Neptune is the friend at the outer edge. They’re still part of your top eight but aren’t as engaged as the others. Maybe they were once closer, or maybe they’re someone you check in with occasionally.
These symbolic layers make the Snapchat Planets feel more meaningful than just rankings. They allow users to attach emotions and stories to their friendships.
Why Snapchat Planets Matter in Digital Friendships
The Snapchat Planets feature might seem like a fun little gimmick, but it reveals a lot about modern digital friendships. In a world where communication happens mostly online, ranking systems like these help people visualise their relationships.
First, they tap into the human need for validation. Seeing yourself as Mercury in someone’s solar system feels special—it confirms that you’re their top priority. On the flip side, noticing that you’ve drifted to Neptune can make you question the strength of the bond.
Second, Snapchat Planets gamifies relationships. Social media apps thrive on keeping users engaged, and Planets do just that. They encourage people to keep snapping, chatting, and interacting to maintain their positions. Losing your Mercury spot might motivate you to snap more, just like losing a streak pushes people to stay active.
Finally, Planets serve as conversation starters. People love to compare their planets, laugh about their rankings, and sometimes even argue about them. It’s a feature that sparks social interaction outside the app, which is exactly what Snapchat wants.
How to Access Snapchat Planets
Snapchat Planets are part of the Snapchat Plus subscription, which costs a small monthly fee. That means not every user has access to this feature. If you’re not subscribed, you’ll only see the traditional best friends list without the cosmic flair.
To access Planets:
- Subscribe to Snapchat Plus.
- Go to your chat with a close friend.
- Tap their profile to see the “Best Friends Solar System.”
- You’ll see which planet they occupy in your universe, as well as where you stand in theirs.
Snapchat keeps this feature behind a paywall as a way of giving Plus users a unique experience. For many people, the exclusivity adds value, making them feel like they’re part of an inner circle.
The Social Impact of Snapchat Planets
The introduction of Snapchat Planets has had a noticeable effect on how people perceive friendships. On the positive side, it has made digital connections more visual and fun. But it has also introduced new layers of social pressure and comparison.
Some users love being Mercury in someone’s solar system, while others feel hurt when they’re pushed back to Uranus or Neptune. This emotional reaction shows just how much weight people place on digital recognition. In some cases, Snapchat Planets have even sparked arguments between friends, with questions like: “Why am I only Mars for you when you’re Venus in mine?”
At the same time, Snapchat Planets highlight how social media reflects—and sometimes distorts—real-life relationships. A best friend in real life might not always be your Mercury if you don’t snap them constantly. This mismatch can create confusion, but also interesting conversations about how we define closeness.
FAQs About Snapchat Planets
1. What do Snapchat Planets mean?
Snapchat Planets represent your top eight friends, ranked by how much you interact with them. Each planet corresponds to a different rank, with Mercury being the closest friend and Neptune being the eighth closest.
2. Can Snapchat Planets change over time?
Yes, they are dynamic. Your planets can shift daily depending on how much you interact with your friends. If you start chatting with someone new more often, they might move closer, while someone else drifts farther away.
3. Do both friends see the same planet rankings?
Not always. You might be someone’s Mercury while they’re only your Mars. It all depends on how much each of you interacts with the other.
4. Is Snapchat Plus required for Planets?
Yes. Snapchat Planets are part of the Snapchat Plus subscription. Without it, you won’t be able to see your Friend Solar System.
5. Do Snapchat Planets affect streaks?
No, Planets don’t directly affect streaks. However, maintaining streaks can influence your position in the solar system since interaction is a key factor.
Conclusion: The Future of Snapchat Planets
Snapchat Planets have quickly become one of the most talked-about features in the app. They blend fun visuals with meaningful insights, turning friendships into a cosmic experience. Whether you love them, hate them, or simply laugh about them, there’s no denying they’ve added a new layer to how we understand digital bonds.
Looking forward, Snapchat may expand this feature even further. We might see more animations, personalised designs, or even new ways of interacting within the solar system. What’s clear is that Snapchat Planets aren’t just a passing trend—they’re part of the app’s mission to make communication more playful, personal, and engaging.
