Hey there! I’m Martin, and if you’re anything like me, you probably spend a little too much time staring at those tiny digital planets on Snapchat. We’ve all been there—refreshing a profile, hoping to see that fiery little Mercury icon next to a crush or a best friend, only to see we’re still stuck out in the cold on Jupiter or, god forbid, Neptune.
I remember last summer when I was trying to secure the #1 spot with my cousin. We were sending Snaps back and forth like crazy, but I just couldn’t move up planets no matter what I did. I felt like I was shouting into a black hole! It turns out, I was doing it all wrong. I was focusing on quantity over quality of interaction. Since then, I’ve mastered the art of the algorithm. If you want to know how to get Mercury on Snapchat and stay there, grab a coffee, and let’s dive into the cosmic secrets of the Friend Solar System.
My Personal Experience with the Snapchat Solar System
A few months ago, I decided to run a little experiment. I have a buddy, Leo, who was consistently my “Venus” (the #2 spot). No matter how many random memes I sent him, I couldn’t dethrone my sister from the Mercury position. I realized that the “Friend Solar System” isn’t just a static list; it’s a living, breathing map of your digital social life.
I started testing different types of engagement. I stopped just sending “mass Snaps” (you know, those blurry ceiling shots we all send to keep streaks alive) and started actually using the chat feature and sending video Snaps with audio. Within six days, Leo jumped from Venus to Mercury. I learned that Snapchat’s 2026 algorithm values bidirectional high-effort communication. It’s not just about you sending stuff; it’s about how much they respond and how long the “session” lasts. Seeing that little red planet finally pop up felt like winning a digital marathon!
Read More: Snapchat Best Friends vs Planets: What’s the Difference?
How to Get Mercury on Snapchat: The 2026 Blueprint
To understand how to get Mercury on Snapchat, you first have to understand what it represents. In the Snapchat+ Solar System, you are the Sun. Your top eight best friends are the planets orbiting you. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, which means that person is your #1 Best Friend.
To get someone into that coveted Mercury spot, you need to have more interaction with them than anyone else on your friend list. But here is the kicker: it’s not just about your Snap Score.
1. Prioritize Direct Snaps Over Group Chats
I see people making this mistake all the time. They think being active in a group chat with someone will help them move up planets. Nope. While group activity helps your overall Snap Score, the Solar System is heavily weighted toward one-on-one Snaps. If you want Mercury status, you need to send direct photos and videos.
2. The Power of the “Double-Tap” Conversation
Snapchat loves it when you have a “back-and-forth” session. Instead of sending one Snap and walking away, try to engage in a real-time conversation. When you both have the app open and are snapping at the same time, the algorithm flags that as a high-intensity friendship. This is the fastest way to increase Snap Score and climb the planetary ranks.
3. Don’t Ignore the Chat Feature
A lot of users forget that text chats count! In 2026, the weight of a text message in the friendship algorithm is almost equal to a Snap. If you’re wondering how to get Mercury on Snapchat quickly, start chatting more in the text interface. Long conversations where both people are typing consistently move the needle much faster than a once-a-day streak Snap.
Strategic Interaction Tips to Move Up Planets
If you’re stuck on Earth or Mars, you need a strategy to break into the inner circle. Here are my favorite Snapchat interaction tips for moving up the ranks:
- Send Video Snaps: These carry more “weight” than static images because they usually require more engagement (watching the whole thing).
- Use Lenses and Stickers: It sounds silly, but using the app’s creative tools signals to the algorithm that you are a “power user” with that specific friend.
- Open Their Snaps Immediately: Response time matters. Being a “Fast Redditor” of the Snap world tells the system this person is a priority for you.
- Watch Their Stories: Consistently viewing and replying to a friend’s private or public stories boosts your “closeness” metric.
Understanding the Planet Order
Not sure where you currently stand? Use this table to see how far you have to go. Remember, Mercury is the goal!
| Planet | Rank | Visual Cue | Closeness Level |
| Mercury | #1 | Red planet with red hearts | Ride or Die |
| Venus | #2 | Brown planet with pink/blue hearts | Very Close |
| Earth | #3 | Blue & green with red hearts | Solid Bestie |
| Mars | #4 | Red planet with stars | Frequent Contact |
| Jupiter | #5 | Orange/striped planet | Regular Pal |
| Saturn | #6 | Yellow planet with rings | Casual Friend |
| Uranus | #7 | Green/blue planet | Occasional Interaction |
| Neptune | #8 | Dark blue/cold planet | Farthest Bestie |
Why Isn’t the Rank Changing? (The Frustration is Real)
I’ve had people ask me, “Martin, I’ve been snapping this girl for three days straight, why am I still her Venus?”
Honestly, this part confused me at first, too. Here’s the deal: The Solar System doesn’t update every second. It usually refreshes every 24 to 48 hours. Also, the algorithm looks at a “rolling window” of activity (usually the last 7–14 days). You can’t just spam 100 Snaps in one hour and expect to jump from Neptune to Mercury. It’s about consistency.
Think of it like a plant—you can’t just dump a gallon of water on it once and expect it to grow; you have to water it a little bit every day. (Does that sound familiar to anyone else who’s tried to force a friendship ranking? It never works if you rush it!)
Boosting Your Overall Presence
While the main goal is that Mercury spot, having a high overall engagement level helps. When you increase Snap Score, you’re essentially telling Snapchat that you’re an active part of the ecosystem.
Does Snapchat+ Matter?
Yes and no. You need Snapchat+ to see the Solar System and know where you rank, but you don’t need it for the ranking to happen. Even if you don’t pay for the subscription, the app is still ranking your friends behind the scenes. However, seeing the “Best Friend” badge with the gold ring is a huge motivator. If you’re serious about your Snap game in 2026, the subscription is a must-have just for the data insights.
FAQs: Your Burning Snapchat Questions
1. Can I see who someone else’s Mercury is?
Short answer: No. Privacy is a big deal for Snap. You can only see your position in their Solar System, and they can only see theirs in yours. You can’t go snooping around your friend’s other orbits!
2. If I stop snapping someone, how fast will I lose Mercury?
It usually takes about 2–3 days of low activity for the rank to drop. If someone else is snapping them more than you are, you’ll see yourself slide to Venus pretty quickly.
3. Does sending “Memories” count toward Mercury?
Yes, but they carry slightly less weight than a “Live Snap.” The algorithm prefers fresh content over stuff you saved three years ago.
4. Why did my planet disappear entirely?
This usually happens if you fall out of their “Top 8” entirely. If you aren’t in the top 8, you won’t have a planet at all. Time to step up those Snapchat interaction tips!
5. Can I “block” someone from being my Mercury?
Not directly. The only way to change your #1 is to interact with someone else more than you interact with them. It’s a purely numbers-based game.
Martin’s Final Tip: The “Audio” Secret
If you want to know the “secret sauce” for how to get Mercury on Snapchat faster than anyone else, here it is: Voice Notes. In my testing, sending voice notes and video Snaps with the audio turned on seems to trigger a higher “closeness” score than just silent photos. It makes sense—Snapchat wants to encourage real human connection. So, next time you’re about to send a boring photo of your shoes, record a quick 5-second voice note instead. It’s a game-changer for your rank.
Would you like me to create a daily “Snap Routine” checklist to help you hit that Mercury spot by next week?
