You're tapping through stories and see that gold ring. Or maybe you noticed a friend has shifted from Earth to Mars in your profile view. If you’ve spent any time on Snapchat lately, you’ve probably seen the "Solar System" feature, but honestly, it’s one of the most misunderstood parts of the Snapchat Plus subscription. People think it's just a vanity metric. They’re wrong.
Basically, the Snapchat Solar System is a visual ranking of your top eight best friends. You are the Sun. Your friends are the planets orbiting you. Their distance from you—meaning which planet they are—depends on how often you communicate with them compared to others. It’s a gamified way of looking at digital intimacy, and it’s surprisingly nuanced.
Why the Snapchat Solar System is Such a Big Deal
Snapchat didn't just throw some space clip art together. They built a system that updates in real-time based on a "closeness" algorithm. It’s private, mostly. You can see where you stand in a friend's solar system, and they can see where they stand in yours, but you can’t go snooping into other people’s entire friend rankings.
It’s exclusive to Snapchat Plus users. If you aren't paying the monthly fee, you don't get the planets. But here is the kicker: even if you pay, the feature is now "opt-in" by default. Following some backlash about how these rankings might hurt people's feelings, Snap Inc. decided to hide the feature unless you specifically go into your settings to toggle it on.
Why would someone want to see they are "Uranus" in their crush’s life? Beats me. But for the data-hungry or the competitive, it’s addictive.
Breaking Down the Planets (The Order Matters)
Most users get confused about which planet is "best." If you remember your middle school science, it’s easy. The closer the planet is to the Sun, the closer the friendship.
- Mercury: This is your #1 Best Friend. The person you’re snapping 24/7.
- Venus: Your second closest. You probably have a long-standing streak here.
- Earth: The third spot. This friend is a staple in your daily digital life.
- Mars: Fourth place. Still very close, but maybe you don’t talk every single hour.
- Jupiter: Fifth. You’re definitely "besties," but the interaction is a bit lower.
- Saturn: Sixth. This is where the distance starts to show.
- Uranus: Seventh. You’re in their Top 8, but just barely.
- Neptune: Eighth. The edge of the system. You’re the last person to make the cut.
It’s not just about the number of snaps. The algorithm looks at chat frequency, story replies, and even those weird little 3D Bitmoji interactions. If you stop talking to Mercury for two days, don’t be surprised if they drift out to Earth while someone else takes the lead.
The Controversy Behind the Ranking
Let’s be real: people are sensitive. In early 2024, Snap faced a lot of heat because teenagers were getting upset about their "ranking." Imagine finding out you’re Neptune in your best friend’s system while some random person from their math class is Mercury. It’s brutal.
Snap actually released a statement acknowledging this. They noted that while the feature is used by a small fraction of the community—less than 0.25% daily—the psychological impact was high. That’s why they moved it to an opt-in model. Now, you have to want to see the ranking. You have to go to your profile, tap the Snapchat Plus badge, and find the "Solar System" toggle.
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How to Actually Use This (For More Than Just Ego)
If you're an optimizer, the Snapchat Solar System is actually a decent tool for managing your digital social battery. Honestly, we all have people we think we talk to all the time, but the data says otherwise.
Look at your system. Is your "Mercury" someone who actually adds value to your day? Or are you just sending empty fire emojis to keep a streak alive? Sometimes, seeing a "distant" planet for a real-life best friend is the wake-up call you need to actually call them instead of just sending a snap.
Practical Tips for Snap Plus Users:
- Check the Badge: You only see the "Best Friends" or "Friends" badge on a friendship profile if you or they are in each other’s top eight.
- Toggle it Off if it Stresses You Out: Life is too short to worry about being Jupiter. You can turn the feature off in the Snapchat Plus management settings.
- Understand the Update Lag: The solar system doesn't update the second you send a snap. It usually takes 24 to 48 hours for the "orbital shift" to happen.
- Privacy is Key: No one else can see your full solar system. They only see their own position relative to you.
The Tech Behind the Scenes
Snap uses a weighted interaction score. It isn't just a 1:1 count of messages. Video snaps carry more weight than text chats. Group chat interactions generally don't count toward your individual solar system ranking with a specific person. It’s strictly about that one-on-one bond.
Interestingly, this is part of a larger trend in "Technology" where social apps are trying to quantify "closeness." BeReal does it with "RealPeople," and Instagram tried it with "Close Friends." Snap just took the extra step of making it look like a science project.
If you’re looking to climb the ranks in someone’s system, start by engaging with their stories. Sending a chat attached to a snap is the fastest way to move from the outer rim (Neptune) toward the center. But honestly? Don't overthink it. It's an app.
To get started, open your Snapchat app and tap your Bitmoji in the top left. Tap on the Snapchat Plus banner. Scroll down to find Solar System and make sure it’s toggled to "On." From there, you can visit any friend's profile who also has the feature active to see where you stand in their universe.
Next Steps for You:
Check your current Snapchat Plus settings to see if the Solar System is enabled. If it is, go to your three most-messaged friends and tap their profiles to see which planet you are. If you’re not Mercury, it might be time to send a few more snaps today.