Hey there! I’m Martin. If you’re anything like me, your phone is basically an extension of your arm. As a tech enthusiast and someone who’s been on Snapchat since the days of the original “ghost” logo, I’ve seen every update, filter, and feature roll through.
But lately, one specific feature has been causing a massive stir in my group chats and across the tech world: Snapchat Planets. While it sounds like a fun, celestial way to track your besties, the reality is a bit more complicated. Today, we’re digging deep into the Snapchat Planets mental health impact, the rising planet rank pressure, and why this Snapchat Plus controversy is still a hot topic in 2026. Grab a coffee, and let’s get into it.
My Personal Experience with Snapchat Planets
A few months ago, I decided to finally pull the trigger on a Snapchat Plus subscription. I wanted the exclusive icons and the “post-view emoji,” but what I was really curious about was the Friend Solar System.
I opened the profile of my best friend from college, Leo. We’ve had a streak for over 500 days. I tapped the “Best Friends” badge, expecting to see myself as Mercury—the closest planet to his “Sun.”
Instead, I saw Mars.
Honestly? It stung. Even as a grown man who works in tech and knows these are just algorithms, I felt a ping of social media anxiety. I immediately started wondering: Who are the three people he snaps more than me? Is he closer to his work buddies now?
I spent the next hour sending him random snaps just to see if I could “orbit” closer. That was the moment I realized how easily this feature can turn a digital friendship into a competitive sport. I learned that while the data is “private,” the psychological weight of seeing your “rank” in someone else’s life is very, very real.
Read More: Venus on Snapchat: Mars vs. Venus Friend Rank Explained
What Exactly is the Snapchat Friend Solar System?
If you aren’t paying for the Plus tier, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Essentially, Snapchat uses your interaction data (snaps sent, chats exchanged) to rank your top eight friends.
- You are the Sun: In your own profile view, you are the center of the universe.
- The Planets are your Friends: Your top eight friends are assigned a planet based on their rank.
- The Order Matters: Mercury is #1, Neptune is #8.
The Snapchat Planet Order & Meaning
| Rank | Planet | What it Actually Means |
| #1 | Mercury | You’re their absolute favorite (or at least, you snap the most). |
| #2 | Venus | You’re a very close second. |
| #3 | Earth | A solid, top-tier friendship. |
| #4 | Mars | You’re a “good” friend, but not in the inner-inner circle. |
| #5 | Jupiter | You’re in the orbit, but maybe just for streaks. |
| #6 | Saturn | You’re starting to drift further away. |
| #7 | Uranus | You’re near the edge of the top eight. |
| #8 | Neptune | You’re barely hanging onto the “Best Friend” status. |
Why Snapchat Planets Mental Health is a Growing Concern
The core of the Snapchat Planets mental health debate lies in the “quantification of friendship.” Humans aren’t meant to see their relationships ranked on a 1–8 scale.
The Rise of Planet Rank Pressure
For many users, especially younger ones, being “demoted” from Earth to Jupiter feels like a personal slight. This planet rank pressure leads to “performative snapping”—sending meaningless photos just to maintain a certain rank. Have you ever felt like you had to send a snap just to keep a status? It’s exhausting.
Social Media Anxiety and the “Silent Demotion”
The worst part is that the rankings are dynamic. You could be Mercury today and Venus tomorrow because your friend started talking to someone else more. This creates a constant state of social media anxiety. You’re always checking, always comparing, and always wondering why you aren’t “closer” to the Sun.
The Snapchat Plus Controversy: Why Keep It?
Snapchat has faced significant backlash over this feature. In fact, they eventually made it “opt-in” by default because of the outcry. Critics argue that the feature gamifies human connection in a way that is inherently toxic.
“Ranking is never good for anyone’s head.” — This quote from a teen user in a recent study perfectly sums up the Snapchat Plus controversy.
Snapchat’s defense is that it’s a “private” insight. Only you can see where you rank in a friend’s solar system (if you both have Plus). But “private” doesn’t mean “harmless.” Knowing you’re #7 in your crush’s life while they’re #1 in yours is a recipe for a bad night.
How to Protect Your Peace in the Snapchat Nebula
If you find yourself obsessing over whether you’re Mars or Neptune, it’s time to take a step back. Here’s how I handled it:
- Turn it Off: You can actually disable the Solar System feature in your Snapchat Plus settings. If it’s making you anxious, kill it.
- Focus on Real Connection: A 5-minute phone call is worth more than 500 “blank” snaps sent just to keep a rank.
- Remember the Algorithm: The ranking is based on quantity, not quality. You might be Neptune because you see your best friend in person every day and don’t need to snap them!
FAQ: What People are Asking on Reddit & Google
1. Can my friends see what planet I am in their solar system?
No. You can only see your own position in a friend’s solar system. They cannot see your entire “universe” of friends unless they have physical access to your phone.
2. Does a Snapchat streak affect my planet rank?
Yes, heavily. Since the rank is based on the frequency of interaction, maintaining a long streak with someone almost guarantees them a spot in your inner planets (Mercury, Venus, or Earth).
3. Why did Snapchat make the planets “opt-in”?
Due to the Snapchat Plus controversy regarding teen mental health, the company decided to turn the feature off by default. Users now have to proactively enable it in their settings.
4. Can I manually change someone’s planet?
Unfortunately, no. The algorithm is the boss here. You can “Pin” someone as your #1 Best Friend (the “BFF” feature), but the Solar System rankings are strictly based on interaction data.
Martin’s Final Tip: Don’t Let an App Define Your Worth
At the end of the day, Snapchat is a tool for communication, not a definitive map of your social value. If the Snapchat Planets mental health toll is getting too high, remember that the most important “orbits” happen offline. Don’t let a cartoon version of Neptune tell you how much a friendship matters.
Would you like me to show you the step-by-step guide on how to disable the Solar System feature to help lower your social media anxiety?
