Hello there! I’m Martin. If you’ve ever stared at a friend’s profile and wondered why you’re suddenly a “Mercury” instead of just a “Yellow Heart,” you’re in the right place. Grab a coffee, and let’s break down the cosmic (and sometimes confusing) world of Snapchat rankings.
Why Is My Best Friend a Planet Now?
We’ve all been there: you finally secure that coveted Yellow Heart with your ride-or-die, only to subscribe to Snapchat+ and see a badge that says you’re “Mercury” in their “Friend Solar System.”
It’s a bit like waking up and finding out your favorite local coffee shop has replaced their loyalty cards with a complex astronomical chart. I remember the first time I saw it—I was convinced I’d accidentally joined a NASA fan club. But once you get the hang of the Gold Heart vs Mercury Snapchat distinction, it actually makes a ton of sense. One is about mutual status, and the other is a high-tech peek into where you stand in someone else’s digital universe.
My Personal Experience with Gold Heart vs Mercury
About six months ago, I decided to finally shell out for Snapchat+. I’m a bit of a data nerd, and I wanted to see the “Solar System” feature everyone was talking about. My best friend, Sarah, and I have had a Yellow Heart (and eventually the Red Heart) for years.
I opened her profile, tapped the “Best Friends” badge, and there I was: Mercury. I felt pretty good about myself—until I checked my brother’s profile. In his solar system, I was Mars. Mars?! I send that guy funny dog videos every single day, and I’m only the fourth-closest person to him?
That was my “aha!” moment. I realized that while the Yellow Heart showed we were each other’s #1, the planet system showed my individual rank in his specific list. It was a reality check I didn’t know I needed. It taught me that these icons aren’t just decorations; they’re a roadmap of how we actually spend our time on the app.
Read More: Increase Snapchat Friendship Rank Neptune to Earth
Gold Heart vs Mercury: The Core Differences
To understand the Gold Heart vs Mercury Snapchat dynamic, you have to look at who can see what and how the app calculates the math.
1. The Gold Heart (The “Yellow Heart”)
This is the classic “Besties” icon. It’s a two-way street. You only see this if:
- You send the most Snaps to them.
- They send the most Snaps to you.
- Mutual Status: It’s a shared achievement.
2. The Mercury Planet
This is a Snapchat+ exclusive. It represents the #1 spot in the “Friend Solar System.”
- One-Way Peek: It shows you where you rank in their list of 8 closest friends.
- Visuals: It looks like a small red planet with red hearts around it.
- Privacy: Unlike the Gold Heart, which you both see next to names in the chat list, you have to go into a friendship profile to see your planet rank.
Breaking Down the Ranking Systems
Have you ever felt like your rankings don’t match your effort? That’s because the “Mercury” rank is part of a larger 8-planet system, whereas the hearts (Gold, Red, Pink) are purely about being the top person.
The Solar System (Snapchat+)
In this system, your friend is the Sun, and you are one of the planets orbiting them based on your interaction frequency:
- 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
Comparison Table: Gold Heart vs. Mercury
| Feature | Gold Heart (Besties) | Mercury (Solar System) |
| Availability | All Users (Free) | Snapchat+ Subscribers Only |
| Visibility | Both friends see it in the chat list | Only the subscriber sees it in the profile |
| Requirement | Mutual #1 ranking | You are their #1 (regardless of your top friend) |
| Visual Style | Simple Yellow Heart Emoji | 3D Red Planet with Hearts |
| Interaction | Snaps/Chats sent both ways | Primarily your rank in their activity list |
Why Does One Change But Not The Other?
This is where it gets spicy. You might be someone’s Mercury (their #1), but NOT have a Gold Heart with them.
How? Simple. You might be the person they talk to most, but you might talk to your mom or your significant other even more. In that case, you’d see yourself as Mercury on their profile, but you wouldn’t have that mutual Gold Heart because your #1 is someone else. Honestly, this part confused me at first, but once you realize the Solar System is a “one-way mirror,” it makes sense.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: If I’m someone’s Mercury, do they know?
Only if they have Snapchat+ and check your profile to see their own rank in your system. The planet system is a private bit of info for the subscriber.
Q: Can I have a Gold Heart and be Mercury at the same time?
Yes! In fact, if you have a Gold Heart, you are almost certainly their Mercury. The Gold Heart just confirms that the feeling (and the data) is mutual.
Q: Does the ranking update instantly?
Nope. Snapchat’s algorithm usually takes a few days to “crunch the numbers” on your Snaps and chats. If you go on a 24-hour snapping spree, don’t expect to jump from Neptune to Mercury by dinner time.
Q: Why did my planet disappear?
If you or your friend stops snapping for a few days, you might drop out of the “Top 8” entirely. No planet for you! Also, if your Snapchat+ subscription expires, you lose access to the Solar System view.
Martin’s Final Tip
If you’re obsessing over whether you’re Mercury or Venus, my best advice is: don’t sweat the pixels. These features are meant to be a fun way to gamify your social life, not a reason to start an argument with your bestie. If you want to climb the ranks, just send more meaningful Snaps and keep those streaks alive!
Would you like me to explain how to customize your friend emojis so you can replace the Gold Heart with something else?
