But what exactly does it mean if you’re Mercury on your best friend’s profile versus Neptune? As of May 2026, the feature remains a cornerstone of the app’s premium experience, though it now comes with important updates regarding privacy and mental health.
What are Snapchat Planets?
The Snapchat Planet system is a visualization of your friendship rankings based on interaction frequency. When you have an active Snapchat+ subscription, you can view your position in a friend’s “Solar System” by tapping the Best Friends or Friends badge on their profile.
In this metaphorical universe, your friend is the Sun, and you are represented by a specific Planet based on how close you are to their #1 spot. The closer you are to the Sun, the higher you rank on their “Best Friends” list.
The Snapchat Planets Order and Meaning
The ranking follows the actual order of the planets in our solar system, from Mercury (closest to the Sun) to Neptune (farthest within the top eight).
Unlike “Snapstreaks,” which only measure how many consecutive days you’ve exchanged Snaps, the Planet ranking is a broader metric of interaction. It takes into account:
Snap Exchange: Sending and receiving photos and videos.
Chat Frequency: The volume of text-based conversations.
Group Interactions: Activity within shared groups can also influence the background data.
The system is dynamic; your rank can change daily if you suddenly start talking to someone else more frequently.
Important Changes: Privacy and Well-being
Following criticism in 2024 regarding the feature’s impact on teen anxiety and social competition, Snapchat made significant adjustments.
Disabled by Default: In 2026, the Friend Solar System is turned off by default, even if you subscribe to Snapchat+. You must manually opt-in to see your rankings.
Do I need Snapchat+ to see my planet?
Yes. The Friend Solar System is a premium feature available only to Snapchat+ subscribers. If you do not have a subscription, you will not see the “Best Friends” badge on anyone’s profile.
Why can’t I see my planet even though I have Snapchat+?
Ensure you have opted-in to the feature in your Snapchat+ settings. Additionally, you will only see a planet if you are actually in that friend’s top eight list. If you are their 9th friend or lower, no planet will appear.
Does my friend know if I check our “Planet” status?
No, Snapchat does not send notifications when you view a friend’s profile or check your ranking in their solar system.
Can I manually change my Mercury friend?
No, you cannot manually assign planets. The only way to move someone to the Mercury (#1) position is to interact with them—via Snaps and Chats—more than anyone else on your list for at least two weeks.
