If you’ve ever scrolled through Snapchat+ and noticed little planets orbiting your friends’ Bitmojis, you’ve stumbled upon the Friend Solar System. It’s colorful, quirky, and just a little bit competitive. But here’s the twist — these planets aren’t just for show. They rank your friendships based on interaction, snaps, and chats. Think of it as a fun, visual way to see who’s truly in your inner circle.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from meanings and rankings to tips for boosting your planet position. We’ll also cover the colors, privacy settings, and even the psychological side of this gamified friendship system.
Understanding the Snapchat Friend Solar System
The Friend Solar System is an exclusive Snapchat+ feature that turns your top friends into planets in a virtual galaxy. Each friend in your Top 8 Best Friends list gets assigned a planet, from Mercury (closest) to Neptune (farthest).
Here’s the core idea:
- The closer your friendship (based on snaps, chats, streaks, and interactions), the closer you are to the Sun in their galaxy.
- Planets are ranked first to eighth, mirroring the real Solar System order.
| Term | Meaning |
| Snapchat+ | Paid subscription ($3.99/month) unlocking experimental features. |
| Best Friends | People you interact with the most on Snapchat. |
| Friend Solar System | Visual ranking of your top 8 friends as planets. |
| Bitmoji Planets | Cartoon planets representing each friend’s rank. |
How the Planet System Works for Snapchat+ Subscribers
Snapchat Planets only appear if both people are Snapchat+ subscribers and have the feature enabled.
The ranking depends on:
- Snap frequency (photos/videos sent)
- Chat frequency (direct messages)
- Snapstreak maintenance
- Overall engagement (stories viewed, reactions sent)
If your friend is Mercury in your Solar System, you’re their #1 most interacted-with friend. But the order might differ in their list — you could be their Venus while they’re your Mercury.
Why Snapchat Introduced Planets: The Gamification of Friendship
Snapchat has always thrived on playful competition — streaks, trophies, and now planets. The Friend Solar System:
- Gamifies interaction
- Makes friendship visible and symbolic
- Encourages daily activity on the app
- Adds flair to profiles
“It’s not about replacing real friendship — it’s about adding a visual layer to it.”
From a business side, it’s also a value-add for Snapchat+, driving paid subscriptions.
Breaking Down the Eight Snapchat Planets
The planets follow the real Solar System order. Each has a color scheme, rings, or moons to help you recognize it instantly.
| Planet | Rank | Color Vibe | Symbolism |
| Mercury | 1st | Gray, closest to Sun | Your closest friend |
| Venus | 2nd | Orange with hearts | Strong emotional connection |
| Earth | 3rd | Blue & green with Moon | Balanced, steady friendship |
| Mars | 4th | Red-orange | Mid-tier buddy |
| Jupiter | 5th | Yellow-orange with stripes | Big energy, chatty friend |
| Saturn | 6th | Yellow with rings | Distant but still engaged |
| Uranus | 7th | Light blue | Occasional interaction |
| Neptune | 8th | Deep blue-purple | Farthest in closeness |
Snapchat Planet Meanings & Colors at a Glance
| Rank | Planet | Main Color | Extras | Friendship Level |
| 1 | Mercury | Gray | No rings/moons | Closest friend |
| 2 | Venus | Orange | Pink hearts | Very strong bond |
| 3 | Earth | Blue/green | Moon & stars | Balanced, frequent contact |
| 4 | Mars | Red-orange | No extras | Mid-tier interaction |
| 5 | Jupiter | Yellow-orange | Faint stripes | Chat-heavy |
| 6 | Saturn | Yellow | Gold ring | Lower-tier |
| 7 | Uranus | Light blue | No extras | Semi-regular |
| 8 | Neptune | Deep blue-purple | No extras | Least interaction in Top 8 |
Mercury: Your Closest Best Friend
Mercury is the inner circle of the inner circle. If someone’s your Mercury:
- You snap and chat multiple times daily
- You’re each other’s top-ranked friend (most of the time)
- You probably have an active Snapstreak
Color: Gray — simple but powerful.
Venus: The Second-Closest Connection
Venus friends are important but slightly less frequent than Mercury.
They’re marked by orange tones and floating hearts, hinting at emotional closeness — sometimes even romantic vibes.
Earth: A Balanced, Active Friendship
Blue, green, and dotted with continents, Earth represents a steady, reliable friend.
- You interact regularly
- You share stories and replies
- Friendship feels natural, not forced
The Moon circling Earth is a subtle nod to consistent presence.
Mars: Your Mid-Tier Buddy
Mars is bright, red-orange, and marks a friendship that’s still active but not top 3.
You may chat weekly rather than daily, but there’s still genuine connection.
Jupiter: The Expansive, Chatty Friend
Jupiter is the largest planet, represented with yellow-orange stripes.
Often a group chat participant, a social butterfly, or a friend who sends long messages.
Saturn: A Strong Bond with Some Distance
Saturn’s iconic golden ring signals a friend who’s important but less frequent in interaction.
Could be a real-life close friend who isn’t very active online.
Uranus: Semi-Regular Contact but Still Connected
Uranus is light blue, with a friendship that pops in and out.
Still Top 8, but likely a 7th position friend.
Neptune: The Farthest Friend in Your Top 8
Deep blue and mysterious, Neptune marks occasional engagement — maybe someone you used to be closer with.
How Snapchat Determines Your Planet Rank
Snapchat uses interaction metrics to assign planets:
- Frequency of Snaps & Chats
- Replies to stories
- Video calls and voice notes
- Group vs. one-on-one interactions
| Factor | High Impact | Medium Impact | Low Impact |
| Direct Snaps | ✅ | ||
| Direct Chats | ✅ | ||
| Viewing Stories | ✅ | ||
| Reactions & Stickers | ✅ | ||
| Group Chat Activity | ✅ |
Mutual vs. One-Sided Best Friend Rankings
Here’s where it gets interesting — friendship rankings don’t always match.
Example:
- You’re their Mercury
- They’re your Venus
This can happen if one person interacts more than the other.
Where to See Your Planet Badge in a Friend’s Profile
To see the planet:
- Go to your friend’s profile
- Look under their Friendship Badge
- Tap the planet icon for details
How to Enable or Disable the Friend Solar System
The Solar System is optional and toggled on or off in settings.
Step-by-Step Guide to Turning Planets On or Off
- Open Snapchat and go to Settings
- Scroll to Snapchat+ Management
- Find Friend Solar System
- Toggle ON or OFF
- Confirm your choice
Privacy, Visibility, and Who Can See Your Planets
- Only Snapchat+ subscribers see planets
- Both users must have the feature enabled
- Turning it off hides all planet data
What the Planet Rings and Moons Mean
- Rings = Extra flair, usually for Saturn
- Moons = Steady companionship (Earth)
- Hearts = Emotional closeness (Venus)
Differences Between Snapchat Planets and Friend Emojis
| Feature | Planets | Emojis |
| Availability | Snapchat+ only | All users |
| Visual | Bitmoji planets | Small emojis |
| Number Shown | Top 8 | Varies |
| Gamification | ✅ | ❌ |
Psychological Effects of Ranking Friendships
While fun, planetary rankings can cause FOMO or even mild anxiety.
Snapchat suggests viewing it as a playful representation rather than a rigid metric.
Tips & Tricks to Improve Your Planet Ranking
- Snap daily
- Reply to chats quickly
- React to stories
- Maintain streaks
- Send personal snaps, not just broadcasts
Snapchat Planets vs. Other Social Media Friendship Features
| Platform | Feature | Similarity |
| Close Friends | Select inner circle | |
| Best Friends List | Manual selection | |
| Snapchat | Planets | Automated ranking |
Future Updates and Possible New Planet Features
Rumors hint at:
- Customizing planet colors
- Adding Pluto as an Easter egg
- Seasonal themes for planets
FAQs
Q1: Do both people need Snapchat+ to see planets?
A: Yes — and the feature must be enabled.
Q2: Can I change my planet without more interaction?
A: No, it’s automatically updated based on activity.
Q3: Do planets affect Snapscore?
A: No, they’re separate systems.
Q4: Is the planet system available on desktop?
A: No, mobile only (iOS & Android).
Q5: Can I hide my planet from one person only?
A: No, it’s either on or off for everyone.
Conclusion
Snapchat Planets bring a colorful, playful twist to friendship tracking. Whether you’re a Mercury to someone or sitting out on Neptune, the system gamifies connection without turning it into a harsh competition.
With privacy controls, visual variety, and constant updates, the Friend Solar System is one of the most engaging, interactive features Snapchat has rolled out in years.
