Hey there! I’m Martin. If you’re anything like me, you probably spend a little too much time checking those gold borders around your friends’ profiles. We’ve all been there—you think you’re someone’s absolute #1, but then you realize you’re not a planet on Snapchat for them. It’s a total “wait, what?” moment that can make you question your entire digital social standing.
Trust me, as a tech nerd who lives on his phone, I’ve deep-dived into the code and the logic behind this more times than I’d like to admit. Let’s figure out why you’re missing from the solar system and what’s actually going on behind the scenes.
My Personal Experience with the Snapchat Solar System
A few months back, I was convinced my buddy Dave and I were peak “Snapchat Besties.” We had a streak longer than some of my past relationships, and we were constantly sending dumb gym selfies and tech memes.
One afternoon, I hopped onto his profile to see which planet I was in his Solar System. I was expecting Earth (the #3 spot) or maybe even Venus (#2). Instead? Nothing. I wasn’t even Pluto. I was completely missing from solar system view on his end, even though he was my Mercury (#1) on mine.
Honestly, I felt a little snubbed! I started digging into whether this was a snapchat ranking error or if I just wasn’t as important to Dave as he was to me. What I discovered was a fascinating (and slightly frustrating) look at how Snapchat’s algorithm weighs “reciprocity.” It turns out, Dave was snapping about ten other people way more than he was snapping me, while I was basically only snapping him.
That “aha!” moment changed how I viewed the Friend Solar System. It isn’t just about how much you talk; it’s about the ratio of your interactions compared to everyone else in their circle.
What is the Snapchat Solar System, Anyway?
Before we get into the “why,” we need to understand the “what.” If you have Snapchat+, you get a “Best Friends” badge on someone’s Friendship Profile. Tapping that badge reveals their Solar System.
In this digital galaxy, your friend is the Sun. You are one of the planets orbiting them based on how close you are.
The Planet Rankings Explained
| Rank | Planet | What it Means |
| #1 | Mercury | You are their absolute Best Friend. |
| #2 | Venus | You are their 2nd Best Friend. |
| #3 | Earth | You are their 3rd Best Friend. |
| #4 | Mars | You are their 4th Best Friend. |
| #5 | Jupiter | You are their 5th Best Friend. |
| #6 | Saturn | You are their 6th Best Friend. |
| #7 | Uranus | You are their 7th Best Friend. |
| #8 | Neptune | You are their 8th Best Friend. |
If you aren’t seeing one of these icons, you’ve hit the friendship rank gap.
Read More: Does Snapchat Group Chat Affect Planet Rank? 2026
Why You’re Not a Planet: The Cold, Hard Truths
It’s rarely a “glitch.” Usually, it’s just the algorithm doing its job. Here are the most common reasons you’re floating in deep space instead of orbiting your friend.
1. The Interaction Ratio (The “Dave” Problem)
his is the big one. Snapchat doesn’t just count how many Snaps you send. It looks at the relative volume.
- The Scenario: You send your friend 50 Snaps a week. They are your only contact. You are Mercury to them.
- The Problem: Your friend sends 50 Snaps to you, but 100 Snaps to five other people.Because those other people have a higher volume of interaction, they take up the 8 planet slots, leaving you out in the cold.
2. You’re Not in Their Top 8
Snapchat only tracks the top eight positions. If your friend is a social butterfly (or just a mass-snapper), the competition for those eight slots is fierce. Even if you talk every day, if they talk to eight other people more, you won’t appear as a planet.
3. The “Snap” vs. “Chat” Weighting
I’ve noticed in my tests that Snaps (pictures and videos) seem to carry more weight than text chats. If you’re mostly texting in the app rather than sending actual Snaps, your “rank” might not climb as fast as someone who is sending face-to-face Snaps. Does that seem fair? Maybe not, but Snapchat wants you using the camera!
Technical Glitches: Is It a Snapchat Ranking Error?
Sometimes, it actually is the app’s fault. Snapchat isn’t perfect, and updates can occasionally break the way friendship profiles display.
Cache Issues
If you’ve recently ramped up your snapping but still aren’t a planet, your app might be showing “stale” data.
- The Fix: Go to Settings > Account Actions > Clear Cache. This won’t delete your memories or chats, but it forces the app to refresh the data it pulls from the servers.
The Snapchat+ Subscription Requirement
Remember, the Solar System is a Snapchat+ feature.
- If you want to see where you stand in their system, you need Snapchat+.
- If they don’t have Snapchat+, it doesn’t matter—the feature is purely for the subscriber’s view of their own friendships.
How to Close the Friendship Rank Gap
So, you want to get back into their orbit? You have to play the algorithm game. It sounds a bit calculated, but hey, that’s the digital age for you.
- Increase Visual Snaps: Move away from the “Blue Chat” bubbles. Start sending more “Yellow Snap” photos or videos.
- Be Consistent: The algorithm favors daily interaction over “burst” interactions. Snapping 100 times in one day and then disappearing for three days won’t help as much as 10 Snaps every single day.
- Double-Check Privacy Settings: Ensure you haven’t accidentally muted them or moved them to a restricted list, though this usually doesn’t affect the planet ranking directly.
Comparison: Planet vs. Best Friend Emoji
A lot of people get confused between the “Yellow Heart” and the “Mercury” planet. They aren’t the same thing!
| Feature | Best Friend Emojis (💛/❤️) | Friend Solar System (Snapchat+) |
| Availability | All Users | Snapchat+ Subscribers Only |
| Requirements | Both must be each other’s #1 | Based on one person’s perspective |
| Visibility | Public (to the two users) | Private (only the subscriber sees it) |
| Rankings | Limited (Bestie, BFF, Super BFF) | Full Top 8 (Mercury through Neptune) |
FAQ: Your Burning Snapchat Questions Answered
Why am I a planet for them but they aren’t for me?
This happens because your snapping habits are asymmetrical. You might be their 3rd most-contacted person (Earth), but they might only be your 10th most-contacted person. The Solar System is a one-way mirror; it shows your rank in their world.
Does a long streak guarantee a planet spot?
Surprisingly, no! A streak just means you’ve sent one snap every 24 hours. If they are sending 50 snaps a day to someone else, that person will take the Mercury spot regardless of your 500-day streak.
Can I hide my Solar System rank from others?
Actually, you can! Snapchat added a toggle for this because people were getting their feelings hurt. Go to your Snapchat+ settings and you can turn off the “Friend Solar System” badge so others can’t see where you rank.
Why did I suddenly disappear from someone’s Solar System?
This usually means a new “power user” has entered their circle. If your friend starts snapping a new group of people intensely (like for a school project or a new job), they can quickly bump you out of the Top 8.
Martin’s Final Tip: Don’t Overthink the Orbit
Look, I get it. Seeing that you’re not a planet on Snapchat for someone you care about can sting. It feels like a digital demotion. But remember: the Snapchat algorithm is a math equation, not a heart. It measures quantity, not quality.
I’ve had best friends of 15 years who I rarely snap because we’re too busy talking on the phone or hanging out in person. We aren’t even on each other’s “Best Friends” list, let alone planets. Meanwhile, some random person I send daily Wordle scores to might be my “Mercury.”
Martin’s Action Plan:
- Check if you’re actually sending Snaps or just chatting.
- Clear your cache to ensure you aren’t seeing old data.
- Ask yourself: Does this digital rank reflect our real-life bond? (Hint: Usually, it doesn’t!)
Would you like me to walk you through the steps to clear your cache or manage your Snapchat+ settings more effectively?
