Ever looked at your Bitmoji profile and realized you’re floating in a purple void surrounded by space rocks? It’s weird. If you’re a Snapchat+ subscriber, you’ve probably seen that "Best Friends" badge and wondered why your sibling is Mars while your crush is stuck out on Uranus.
Snapchat isn’t just random. They’re using the actual solar system to rank your social life.
The order of Snapchat planets is basically a hierarchy of who you talk to most. It’s a digital popularity contest happening in real-time. If you’re the Sun, your friends are the planets orbiting you. The closer they are to the Sun, the more you two interact. Mercury is the top spot. Neptune? You’re barely acquaintances.
It sounds simple, but it gets dramatic. People have literally ended friendships over these digital orbits. Let’s break down what each position actually means and why the order matters more than you think.
How the Order of Snapchat Planets Works
The system is built on the Snapchat Friend Solar System. It's a feature exclusive to Snapchat+ (the paid tier). If you see a "Best Friends" badge on someone's profile, you can tap it to see which planet you are in their universe.
You’re always the Sun. They are the planets.
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If you are Mercury in their system, you are their #1 best friend. But—and this is the part that trips people up—it doesn’t mean they are your Mercury. Friendships aren't always symmetrical. You could be someone's Earth (3rd closest) while they aren't even in your top eight. Snapchat calculates this based on Chat and Snap frequency. It’s purely data-driven. No human emotion involved, just raw server logs and frequency pings.
1. Mercury: The Inner Circle
The closest planet to the Sun. If you see Mercury, you’re the person they talk to the most. Period. This person is likely in your "Recent" list 24/7.
- Appearance: A red planet with five little pink hearts floating around it.
- Vibe: You probably know what they had for breakfast.
2. Venus: The Runner Up
The second planet. You’re close, but there’s someone else taking up just a bit more of their screen time.
- Appearance: A light beige or yellowish planet with blue, pink, and yellow hearts.
- Vibe: You’re definitely a "Bestie," but maybe not the "BFF" just yet.
3. Earth: The Solid Third
Third from the Sun. Earth is iconic, obviously.
- Appearance: Green and blue (looks like home) with red hearts and a moon.
- Vibe: You’re in the inner circle. You probably send streaks every single day without fail.
4. Mars: The Red Boundary
Fourth planet. This is where things start to cool off slightly, even though the planet is red.
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- Appearance: Red planet with purple and yellow hearts.
- Vibe: You’re a frequent flyer in their inbox, but you might go a few hours—or a day—without a deep convo.
The Outer Rim: When You're Drifting Away
Once you hit Jupiter, you’re entering the "Outer Planets" territory. In the order of Snapchat planets, being Jupiter or Saturn isn't an insult, but it means you're not their go-to person for every random thought. You're a "good friend," not a "best friend."
5. Jupiter
The fifth planet. It’s big, but it’s far.
- Appearance: Orange/reddish with stripes and no hearts. Just dark blue space circles.
- Vibe: You catch up a few times a week.
6. Saturn
Sixth from the Sun. It’s got the rings.
- Appearance: Yellowish with those signature rings and some orange circles.
- Vibe: You’re likely on a long-term streak, but the actual "chatting" is minimal.
7. Uranus
Seventh planet. Yes, everyone makes the joke.
- Appearance: Greenish-blue with no hearts.
- Vibe: You’re on their list, but you’re basically an extra in their digital life right now.
8. Neptune
The final planet. The edge of the system.
- Appearance: A deep, dark blue planet.
- Vibe: You’re barely hanging on to the top eight. If one more person starts snapping them regularly, you're out of the system entirely.
Why Does My Planet Keep Changing?
This is where the frustration kicks in. You were Earth yesterday, and today you’re Mars. Did they stop liking you? Probably not.
Snapchat’s algorithm is incredibly sensitive. If your friend spends two hours on a FaceTime-style Snapchat call with someone else, that person might leapfrog over you in the order of Snapchat planets. It’s not just about the number of Snaps sent; it’s about the intensity and frequency of the interaction.
Also, remember that the system is private-ish. You can see your position in their solar system, but they can't see your position in theirs unless they are also a subscriber and check it. It’s a one-way mirror. This leads to what some psychologists call "digital anxiety." You see you’ve dropped to Saturn and suddenly you’re wondering if you’re being ghosted.
Honestly? It's usually just because they had a long group chat session or started a new streak with a coworker. Don't overthink the pixels.
The Controversy of the Friend Solar System
Snapchat actually had to change how this feature looks. Back in early 2024, they made the decision to turn the Solar System feature "off" by default. Why? Because it was stressing people out. Young users were checking their "planet status" constantly. Seeing yourself drop in the order of Snapchat planets can feel like a public demotion in a friendship.
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Now, you have to manually opt-in to see it. If you’re a Snapchat+ user, you have to go into your settings and toggle it on. This was a move to protect "digital well-being," which is tech-speak for "trying to stop people from crying over being Neptune."
Actionable Tips for Navigating Your Social Orbit
If you're obsessed with your ranking—or just want to understand the tech better—here is how you handle the Snapchat universe without losing your mind.
- Audit your streaks: If you want to move up the order, simple "fire" emojis or blank photos don't carry as much weight as actual Chat messages. The algorithm rewards engagement, not just pings.
- Check the colors: If you can’t remember the order (and who can?), just remember: Red/Orange = Close. Blue/Green = Far.
- Turn it off: If seeing yourself as someone's Uranus is hurting your feelings, go to your Snapchat+ settings and disable the Solar System. Your mental health is worth more than a digital badge.
- Use the "Pin" feature: If you want someone to stay at the top of your list regardless of the planet system, pin them as your #1 Best Friend. This bypasses the algorithm for your own UI.
The order of Snapchat planets is a tool, not a verdict. It’s a fun way to see who you’re vibing with, but it doesn’t account for the three-hour phone call you had on a regular landline or the time you spent hanging out in person. Use it for the aesthetic, but don't let a blue planet define your real-world connections.
If you want to move up someone's list, stop sending "S" snaps and start actually talking. Or don't. Being Neptune is actually pretty chill—the weather is great if you like being 3 billion miles away from the drama.