Hey there! I’m Martin. If you’ve spent as much time staring at your Snapchat profile as I have, you’ve probably noticed those quirky little planet icons popping up next to your “Best Friends.”
But lately, Snapchat decided to make things a bit more interesting (and a little more confusing) by adding different colored hearts to those planets. I remember sitting at a coffee shop last Tuesday, looking at my profile and wondering why my best friend Sarah had sparkling pink hearts around her planet while my brother only had red ones. Was Snap trying to tell me something about our friendship levels?
It turns out, the Snapchat planet hearts meaning is actually a clever way to show how close you are to your top eight friends. If you’re a Snapchat+ subscriber, these little details matter. Let’s dive into what these decorations actually signify and how you can decode your Friend Solar System.
My Personal Experience with Snapchat Planet Hearts
I’ll be honest with you—when Snapchat+ first dropped the “Friend Solar System” feature, I was obsessed. I’m a bit of a data nerd, and seeing exactly where I stood in my friends’ inner circles felt like a game.
About a month ago, I noticed that the planet icon for my friend Jason changed. He was “Mars” in my solar system, but suddenly, the little planet icon had these tiny, pulsating red hearts around it. Then, a few days later, they turned pink. I actually reached out to a buddy of mine who works in UI design to see if it was just a glitch or a feature update.
I spent the next week “Snap-testing” with three different friends. I sent more Snaps to one, saved more Chats with another, and watched the heart colors shift in real-time. What I learned is that these hearts aren’t just random decorations; they are a live leaderboard of your digital social life. It taught me that Snapchat isn’t just measuring how much you talk, but how consistently you interact compared to everyone else in your orbit.
Read More: Snapchat Plus Planet Colors: A Visual Recognition Guide
Decoding the Snapchat Planet Hearts Meaning
To understand the hearts, you first have to understand the “Friend Solar System.” If you’re a Snapchat+ member, you can see a “Best Friends” or “Friends” badge on someone’s Friendship Profile.
When you tap that badge, you’ll see which planet you are in their solar system. For example, if you’re the “Sun” to their “Earth,” you’re their third closest friend. But what about those planet decorations?
The Difference Between Pink Hearts vs Red Hearts
This is where most people get tripped up. Through my testing, here is how the color coding usually breaks down:
- Red Hearts: These usually signify a “standard” high-ranking friendship. If you see red hearts around a planet, it means you are consistently in each other’s Top 8. It’s a sign of a steady, active “Snap-relationship.”
- Pink Hearts: These are the “Super” version. In Snap-language, pink almost always represents longevity. If you see pink hearts on a planet icon, it typically means you’ve maintained that top-tier status for an extended period (usually more than two weeks).
Have you ever noticed your hearts changing color after a long weekend of heavy snapping? That’s the algorithm rewarding your consistency!
Why Do Some Planets Have No Hearts?
Occasionally, you’ll see a planet icon that looks “plain.” This usually happens when you’ve recently added someone to your Top 8, or if your interaction levels have dipped. Think of the hearts as “fame levels” for your friends. No hearts means you’re in the system, but you haven’t reached “Super Friend” status yet.
The Solar System Hierarchy: Which Planet Are You?
Before we get deeper into the heart colors, let’s make sure you know which planet represents which rank. This is the foundation of the Snapchat planet hearts meaning.
| Rank | Planet | What it Means |
| 1st | Mercury | You are their #1 Best Friend. |
| 2nd | Venus | You are their 2nd closest friend. |
| 3rd | Earth | You are their 3rd closest friend. |
| 4th | Mars | You are their 4th closest friend. |
| 5th | Jupiter | You are their 5th closest friend. |
| 6th | Saturn | You are their 6th closest friend. |
| 7th | Uranus | You are their 7th closest friend. |
| 8th | Neptune | You are their 8th closest friend |
Why Snapchat Uses “Planet Decorations”
You might be asking, “Martin, why does this even matter?” Honestly, it’s all about engagement. Snapchat knows that we humans are competitive. By adding what do hearts mean to the equation, they’ve turned friendship into a visual trophy room.
The Psychology of the “Pink Heart”
When I see pink hearts on my “Earth” planet for my best friend, I feel a weird sense of accomplishment. It tells me that our streak is alive and our interaction is peak. If those hearts disappear, I actually find myself wondering, “Wait, did I not snap them enough yesterday?” It’s a subtle nudge to keep the conversation going.
Technical Nuances: It’s Not Just About Snaps
A common misconception is that only “Snaps” (photos/videos) count toward these hearts. From what I’ve observed, it’s a mix:
- Chat Frequency: Texting in the app counts!
- Story Views: Looking at their private stories seems to have an impact.
- Media Sharing: Sending links or saved photos from your camera roll.
How to Get Those Pink Hearts on Your Profile
If you’re looking to “level up” your planet decorations, you can’t just spam someone for an hour and expect results. The Snapchat algorithm loves consistency.
- Daily Interaction: You don’t need to send 100 snaps, but you do need to send at least one or two every single day.
- Mutual Engagement: It’s a two-way street. If you’re snapping them and they aren’t snapping back, your planet won’t get those coveted pink hearts.
- Wait it Out: It usually takes about 10 to 14 days of consistent “Top 1” status for the red hearts to transition into pink.
Common Glitches and “Heart Drops”
I’ve had people ask me, “Martin, my hearts were pink yesterday, and today they’re gone! What happened?”
Don’t panic. This usually isn’t a “friendship breakup.” Here are a few reasons why the Snapchat planet hearts meaning might shift unexpectedly:
- The “Shadow” Best Friend: Someone else might have started snapping your friend way more than you do. Since there are only 8 spots, the “weight” of your friendship is relative to everyone else.
- Cache Issues: Sometimes the app just needs a refresh. Try clearing your Snapchat cache in the settings (I do this once a week to keep the app snappy).
- Subscription Status: Remember, if your Snapchat+ subscription expires, you lose access to seeing these icons entirely.
FAQ: Everything You’re Dying to Know
Q: Can my friends see what planet I am in their solar system?
A: Not directly. You can only see what planet you are in their solar system. They can see what planet they are in yours. It’s a bit of a “one-way mirror” situation designed to prevent too much drama!
Q: Does the “Super BFF” (two pink hearts) emoji affect the planet hearts?
A: They are related but separate. The emoji appears in your chat list, while the planet hearts appear on the Friendship Profile. Usually, if you have the “Super BFF” emoji, your planet icon will almost certainly have the pink heart decorations.
Q: Can I turn off the Planet Hearts?
A: Yes! If the solar system feels a bit too “high school” for you, you can go into your Snapchat+ settings and toggle off the “Solar System” feature. Your friends won’t be notified that you turned it off.
Q: Why is my planet Mercury but I have no hearts?
A: This usually happens right after a “rank jump.” If you suddenly become someone’s #1 friend, the app recognizes the rank (Mercury), but it hasn’t “validated” the intensity of the friendship yet to grant you the heart decorations. Give it 48 hours!
Martin’s Final Tip
At the end of the day, the Snapchat planet hearts meaning is just a fun way to visualize your digital footprint. Don’t let a change from pink to red hearts ruin your day! Social media algorithms are fickle, and sometimes a glitch is just a glitch.
My pro tip: If you want to keep your “Mercury” status with pink hearts, focus on sending “Good Morning” or “Good Night” snaps. It’s the easiest way to ensure daily interaction without having to think of something “content-worthy” every time.
Would you like me to explain how to customize your Snapchat app icon or show you some other hidden Snapchat+ features next? Let me know in the comments!
