Snapchat Planets | Snap Planets

Hey there! I’m Martin, and if you’ve recently looked at your friend’s profile on Snapchat and saw a random planet icon, you’re probably as confused as I was a few months ago.

When I first upgraded to Snapchat+, I remember seeing a “Mars” icon next to my best friend’s name. I thought, “Wait, does this mean we’re drifting apart? Or are we closer than ever?” After spending way too much time testing the algorithm and talking to other users, I’ve finally cracked the code of the Snapchat Planets system.

In this guide, I’m going to skip the technical jargon and tell you exactly how the Snapchat Planets work, from Mercury all the way to Neptune. Let’s dive into the stars!

A complete overview of the Snapchat Planets solar system order

What Exactly is the Snapchat Friend Solar System?

Think of the Snapchat Planets as a VIP leaderboard for your friendships. In this digital galaxy, You are the Sun.

Your top 8 friends—the people you snap and chat with the most—become your Snapchat Planets. Depending on how much you interact with them compared to others, they get assigned a specific position (or orbit) around you.

Wait, can everyone see my Snapchat Planets rank? This is a question I get asked a lot. The answer is No. Your solar system is private to you. However, if you have Snapchat+, you can see where you stand in your friend’s solar system (if they have the feature enabled). It’s a bit like a secret friendship handshake!

The 2026 Update: It’s Now “Opt-In”

Before we get into the meanings of the Snapchat Planets, I need to mention a big change. Back in the day, these planets were visible by default. But because it started making people feel a bit anxious, Snapchat made it an “Opt-In” feature.

To see your rank among the Snapchat Planets, you actually have to go into your Snapchat+ settings and turn it on manually. I personally like this change—it keeps the fun without the pressure.

Snapchat Planets Order: The Complete Breakdown

If you are looking for the quick answer to the Snapchat Planets order, here is how they rank from closest to furthest:

Mercury (#1 Best Friend)
Venus (#2 Best Friend)
Earth (#3 Best Friend)
Mars (#4 Best Friend)
Jupiter (#5 Best Friend)
Saturn (#6 Best Friend)
Uranus (#7 Best Friend)
Neptune (#8 Best Friend)

1. Mercury (The #1 Best Friend)

If you see yourself as Mercury in someone’s profile, congratulations! You are their absolute closest friend on the app. You guys probably share everything—from morning coffee streaks to late-night rants.

Appearance: A red-colored planet surrounded by five floating red hearts.
Martin’s Take: Being Mercury is great, but don’t panic if you drop to Venus for a day. The Snapchat Planets algorithm is extremely sensitive to daily activity!

Snapchat Mercury planet icon meaning #1 best friend

2. Venus (The #2 Best Friend)

Venus means you are their second closest friend. You’re definitely in the “inner circle,” but there’s someone else they chat with just a tiny bit more.

Appearance: A light brown/beige planet with pink, blue, and yellow hearts.
Why it matters: In my experience, the gap between Mercury and Venus is usually just a few snaps.

3. Earth (The #3 Best Friend)

Being Earth is special. It feels stable. When I see I’m “Earth” in a friend’s Snapchat Planets list, I know we have a solid, consistent connection.

Appearance: A beautiful blue and green globe with a tiny Moon and red hearts.
The Vibe: You are one of their “Big Three.” You’re probably in their inner circle of trust.

4. Mars (The #4 Best Friend)

Next is the Red Planet. If you are Mars, you are their 4th closest friend.

Appearance: A red planet (darker than Mercury) with stars and purple/blue hearts.
Comparison Tip: Don’t mix up Mercury and Mars! Snapchat Planets use red hearts for Mercury and blue/purple hearts for Mars.

5. Jupiter (The #5 Best Friend)

Now we’re hitting the “Gas Giants.” Jupiter represents your 5th best friend.

Appearance: An orange/reddish planet with those famous horizontal stripes (gas bands). No hearts here, just the planet’s raw power!
Interaction Level: High, but not “inner circle” level yet.

6. Saturn (The #6 Best Friend)

This is my favorite looking planet! If you are Saturn, you are the 6th person on their list.

Appearance: An orange planet famously known for its massive ring.
Why the Ring? In the Snapchat Planets world, I like to think the ring represents a “boundary.” You’re a great friend, but you’re orbiting a bit further out than the inner four.

Snapchat Saturn planet icon meaning 6th best friend

7. Uranus (The #7 Best Friend)

Uranus is for the friend who is “there” but maybe not in your daily inner circle.

Appearance: A solid green planet. It’s simple, clean, and a bit mysterious.
The Reality: In my experience, if you are Uranus, you probably watch each other’s stories but don’t have deep 1-on-1 convos every night.

8. Neptune (The #8 Best Friend)

Finally, we have Neptune. This is the furthest orbit in the Snapchat Planets system.

Appearance: A deep, dark blue planet that looks quite cold.
Martin’s Take: I call this the “Edge of the Galaxy.” You are officially their 8th best friend.

How the Snapchat Planets Algorithm Works in 2026

I know what you’re thinking: “Martin, how does Snapchat decide my rank?”

It’s not just about the number of messages. Based on my research, the Snapchat Planets algorithm looks at:

Frequency of Snaps: Photos and videos carry more weight than just texting.
Story Views: Do you watch their stories the second they post?
Chat Engagement: Long conversations push you closer to the Sun.
Mutual Interaction: It’s a two-way street. If only you are snapping them, you’ll stay out near Neptune.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I join the Snapchat Planets system?

A: You must have a Snapchat+ subscription. Then, go to your profile, tap the Snapchat+ badge, and toggle “Solar System” to ON.

Q2: Can I change my position in someone else’s Snapchat Planets?

A: You can’t manually change it, but you can influence it by interacting with that person more frequently through Snaps and Chats.

Q3: Why did I disappear from my friend’s Snapchat Planets?

A: This usually happens if your interaction has decreased, or if your friend has turned off their Solar System feature in settings.

Q4: Is the order of Snapchat Planets the same as the real solar system?

A: Yes! Snapchat follows the actual astronomical order from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Final Verdict: Is it Worth It?

As someone who uses it every day, I’d say the Snapchat Planets feature is a fun way to gamify your friendships. It gives you a “behind-the-scenes” look at your digital social life that you can’t get anywhere else.

What do you think? Are you someone’s Mercury, or are you stuck out in Neptune? Drop a comment below (or send me a snap!) and let’s talk about it.

Written By Martin

Martin is a tech enthusiast and a long-time Snapchat power user based in Chicago. With over 7 years of experience in analyzing social media trends and app algorithms, he specializes in breaking down complex digital features into simple, human-friendly guides. When he isn’t busy decoding the Snapchat Solar System, you can find him exploring the latest tech gadgets or drinking way too much espresso.