Hey there! Grab a coffee and let’s chat. If you’re here, you probably just opened Snapchat, checked your “Friend Solar System,” and felt that tiny sting in your chest. One day you’re Mercury—the closest possible planet to your bestie—and the next, you’ve been bumped out to Venus.
It feels personal, doesn’t it? Like you’ve been demoted in a friendship you didn’t even know was a competition. Trust me, I’ve been there. I’m Martin, and as someone who lives and breathes tech (and spends way too much time maintaining my Snapstreaks), I’ve spent hours figuring out why a Snapchat planet rank dropped out of nowhere.
The truth is, the Snapchat algorithm isn’t trying to hurt your feelings—it’s just a math nerd. But when that math says you’re suddenly “Venus” instead of “Mercury,” it helps to know what’s going on under the hood.
My Personal Experience with the Mercury-to-Venus Drop
About three months ago, my younger sister and I were on a 400-day Snapstreak. I was her Mercury, she was mine. Everything was right in the digital universe. Then, I went on a weekend camping trip with some old college buddies.
I didn’t lose my streak with my sister (thank God for Restore!), but I did spend the whole weekend sending 50+ snaps a day to a group chat with my guys. On Monday morning, I checked my status on my sister’s profile. I wasn’t Mercury anymore. I had ranked down to Venus.
I honestly felt a bit guilty! Had I “ignored” her? Not really, but the algorithm saw my spike in activity with other people and decided they were “closer” in that specific window of time. I learned that the Snapchat planet rank isn’t a permanent badge of honor; it’s a living, breathing reflection of your most recent 7–14 days of activity. If you stop being the absolute most active person in their inbox, even for a few days, the system shuffles the deck.
Read More: How to Get Mercury on Snapchat: 2026 Pro Tips by Martin
Why Did My Snapchat Planet Rank Drop Suddenly?
If you’ve noticed your Snapchat planet rank dropped, you aren’t alone. It’s one of the most searched “frustrations” for Snapchat+ users. Here’s a breakdown of why that shift from Mercury (1st) to Venus (2nd) happens.
1. The “Frequency vs. Volume” Battle
Snapchat doesn’t just look at how many snaps you’ve sent ever. It looks at the frequency of your interactions compared to everyone else in that person’s friend list. If your friend starts snapping someone else more intensely—even for a short burst—that new person might leapfrog over you. You didn’t necessarily do anything wrong; someone else just did “more.”
2. The Snapchat Algorithm Update
Snapchat is constantly tweaking how they calculate “closeness.” In early 2026, there were whispers in the tech community about a snapchat algorithm update that placed a higher weight on double-sided interactions. If you’re sending 10 snaps and they only reply to 1, your “gravity” in their solar system might weaken compared to someone they are having a back-and-forth “rapid fire” chat with.
3. Losing Best Friend Rank (The “BFF” Shuffle)
The Solar System is essentially a visual map of your Best Friends list. If you are losing best friend rank (that yellow or red heart), your planet position will reflect that immediately. Since you can only have eight planets, the competition for those top two spots (Mercury and Venus) is fierce.
Understanding the Ranks: Mercury vs. Venus
To understand why you dropped, you have to know what you lost. Here is a quick reference for the top of the hierarchy:
| Rank | Planet | What it Means | Emoji Visuals |
| 1st | Mercury | You are their #1 Best Friend. | Pink/Red planet with Red Hearts. |
| 2nd | Venus | You are their #2 Best Friend. | Light brown planet with Pink/Blue/Yellow Hearts. |
| 3rd | Earth | You are their #3 Best Friend. | Blue/Green planet with the Moon. |
The Hidden Factors Behind Ranking Down
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to stay at Mercury forever while you’re bouncing around like a pinball? It usually comes down to these “hidden” metrics that the app tracks:
- Chatting vs. Snapping: Believe it or not, text chats often carry less “weight” than a photo or video snap. If you’re just texting but someone else is sending face-to-face snaps, they might take your spot.
- Group Chat Dilution: If you interact with your friend mostly in a group, it doesn’t count as much toward your individual “Solar System” rank as a direct 1-on-1 snap does.
- The “New Friend” Boost: Sometimes, when you add someone new and snap them a ton in the first week, the algorithm gets excited and ranks them higher to reflect the “newness” of the connection.
How to Get Back to Mercury
If you’re tired of being “second best” on the screen, you can definitely climb back up. It’s not about “gaming” the system, but rather understanding what it rewards.
- Prioritize 1-on-1 Snaps: Stop relying on the “Multi-Snap” feature where you send the same thing to everyone. Send a personalized snap to your friend. The algorithm loves unique interactions.
- Use Lenses and Filters: Using the app’s native tools (like the new 2026 AI Lenses) often signals to the system that you are a highly engaged user, which can help your ranking down issues stabilize.
- Initiate More: Don’t just be a “replier.” Be the one who starts the conversation. The “Sender” often gets a slight edge in the closeness calculation.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: Does losing a Snapstreak mean I’ll drop from Mercury?
A: Usually, yes. A streak represents daily, consistent interaction. If the streak breaks, the “volume” of your interactions for that week drops significantly, which is the #1 reason for a Snapchat planet rank drop.
Q: Can my friend see that I dropped to Venus?
A: No. The Solar System feature is private. You can see your position in their solar system, and they can see theirs in yours, but nobody else can see the full list unless you show them your screen.
Q: How often does the ranking update?
A: It’s nearly real-time, but most users notice changes every 24 to 48 hours. The algorithm recalculates based on your rolling activity window.
Q: Why am I “Venus” but we have a Red Heart (BFF) emoji?
A: Emojis and Planets use slightly different windows of time. The Red Heart means you’ve been #1 for two weeks. If a “new” person snaps them 100 times in one day, they might temporarily become Mercury while you keep your Heart emoji for a little longer. It’s confusing, I know!
Martin’s Final Tip
Honestly, don’t let the planets get to your head. I’ve seen friendships get strained because someone felt “demoted” to Earth or Venus. At the end of the day, it’s just code. If you’re talking to your friend and having a good time, that matters way more than whether a digital version of Venus is sitting next to their Bitmoji.
