Snapchat is known for introducing creative features that make chatting with friends more fun and interactive. One of the most talked-about premium features is Snapchat Planets, also called the Friend Solar System. This unique feature is available exclusively to Snapchat+ (Snapchat Plus) subscribers and offers a fun way to visualize your closest friendships on the platform.
If you’ve ever wondered why your friend appears as Mercury or Neptune in your Friend Solar System, this guide explains everything you need to know.
What Are Snapchat Planets?
Snapchat Planets are part of the Friend Solar System, a feature included with Snapchat+. Instead of simply displaying a Best Friends list, Snapchat represents your friendship ranking as planets orbiting around the Sun.
In this system:
- You are the Sun.
- Your closest friends become planets.
- The closer the planet is to the Sun, the stronger your friendship based on Snapchat interactions.

Your ranking depends on factors such as:
- Snaps exchanged
- Chats
- Story interactions
- Overall engagement
- Frequency of communication
The rankings update automatically as your interactions change over time.
How Does the Snapchat Friend Solar System Work?
When both you and your friend are Snapchat+ subscribers (or when the feature is available for your profile), you’ll notice a Best Friends or Friends badge.
By tapping the badge, Snapchat shows which planet represents your friendship.
The order follows the real solar system:
- Mercury
- Venus
- Earth
- Mars
- Jupiter
- Saturn
- Uranus
- Neptune
Mercury represents your closest friend, while Neptune represents the eighth closest.
Snapchat Planets Meaning
Mercury (1st Best Friend)
Mercury is your number one best friend on Snapchat.
This means:
- You communicate the most.
- You exchange snaps daily.
- You frequently chat.
- You interact consistently.
Mercury is represented by a small gray planet surrounded by hearts.
Venus (2nd Best Friend)
Venus represents your second closest Snapchat friend.
You’ll likely:
- Snap frequently.
- Chat almost every day.
- Share stories and reactions regularly.
Venus usually appears in a light brown or beige color with colorful hearts.
Earth (3rd Best Friend)
Earth symbolizes your third closest friend.
Like our real planet, it often features:
- Blue oceans
- Green continents
- A moon
- Hearts around it
You still interact often, but slightly less than your top two friends.
Mars (4th Best Friend)
Mars represents your fourth closest Snapchat friend.
The friendship remains active, though interactions aren’t quite as frequent as your top three.
Mars usually appears as a red-colored planet.
Jupiter (5th Best Friend)
Jupiter indicates your fifth closest friend.
It is commonly illustrated with:
- Orange colors
- Characteristic stripes
- Decorative stars
You communicate regularly but not every day.
Saturn (6th Best Friend)
Saturn represents your sixth closest Snapchat friend.
It is easy to recognize because of its famous rings.
You still maintain regular communication, although your interactions occur less frequently than with your top five friends.
Uranus (7th Best Friend)
Uranus is your seventh best friend.
This indicates occasional conversations and snaps while still remaining among your closest Snapchat connections.
The planet usually appears greenish with stars surrounding it.
Neptune (8th Best Friend)
Neptune represents your eighth closest friend.
Although they’re still in your Best Friends list, you interact with them the least compared to the other seven planets.
Neptune is typically shown as a blue planet with decorative stars.
Snapchat Planet Order
| Planet | Friendship Rank |
|---|---|
| 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 |
How to See Your Snapchat Planet
Follow these steps:
- Subscribe to Snapchat+.
- Open Snapchat.
- Go to your friend’s profile.
- Look for the Best Friends or Friends badge.
- Tap the badge.
- Your friendship planet will appear.
If you don’t see a planet, the feature may not be enabled or available for that friendship.
What Is the Difference Between “Best Friends” and “Friends”?
Many users get confused by these badges.
Best Friends Badge
This means:
- You are among each other’s top friends.
- The friendship is mutual.
- Your interactions are very frequent.
Friends Badge
This means:
- You are one of their close friends.
- They may not rank equally in your Best Friends list.
- The relationship isn’t necessarily mutual.
Do Snapchat Planets Change?
Yes.
Snapchat continuously updates friendship rankings based on your activity.
If you begin snapping someone more often, they can move closer to Mercury.
Likewise, if communication decreases, they may move farther away in the Friend Solar System.
Do Snapchat Planets Affect Streaks?
No.
Snapchat Planets are completely separate from Snapstreaks.
You can have:
- A long Snapstreak with someone who isn’t your Mercury.
- Mercury without having the longest streak.
The ranking considers multiple engagement factors, not just streak length.
Is Snapchat Planet Order Public?
No.
Only you can view your Friend Solar System.
Other Snapchat users cannot see your planet ranking unless they check their own friendship status with you through eligible Snapchat+ features.
Benefits of Snapchat+
Snapchat+ includes more than just Friend Solar System.
Some additional premium features include:
- Custom app icons
- Priority story replies
- Ghost Trails (where available)
- Story rewatch indicators
- Chat wallpapers
- Bitmoji customization
- Early access to experimental features
These features are regularly updated as Snapchat introduces new tools.
Tips to Improve Your Snapchat Planet Ranking
If you want to become someone’s Mercury, try to:
- Send snaps consistently.
- Chat regularly.
- Reply quickly.
- React to stories.
- Share photos and videos often.
- Maintain active conversations.
- Remember that rankings are determined automatically based on genuine interactions, so there is no manual way to choose your planet.
Common Misconceptions About Snapchat Planets
Myth: Planets show who likes you.
Reality: They only represent interaction levels on Snapchat.
Myth: You can manually select your planet.
Reality: Snapchat assigns planets automatically.
Myth: Everyone has Snapchat Planets.
Reality: The Friend Solar System is a Snapchat+ feature and is not available to all users.
Myth: Planet rankings stay the same forever.
Reality: Rankings change as your communication patterns change.
Final Thoughts
Snapchat Planets add a playful twist to tracking your closest friendships by transforming your Best Friends list into a miniature solar system. Whether you’re Mercury, Earth, or Neptune in someone’s Friend Solar System, the feature reflects how actively you interact on Snapchat rather than serving as a measure of personal value.
If you’re a Snapchat+ subscriber, checking your Friend Solar System can be a fun way to see how your friendships evolve over time. Just remember that the planets change with your activity, making them a dynamic representation of your engagement on the platform.
FAQs About Snapchat Planets
1. What are Snapchat Planets?
Snapchat Planets are part of the Snapchat+ Friend Solar System feature that ranks your top eight friends based on your interactions.
2. What does Mercury mean on Snapchat?
Mercury means you are someone’s #1 Best Friend and interact with them more than anyone else on Snapchat.
3. Is Snapchat Planets free?
No. The Friend Solar System is a premium feature available through a Snapchat+ subscription.
Also Read: LASRS Login: A Complete Guide to Accessing Your Account Safely
4. How many Snapchat Planets are there?
There are eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
5. Can Snapchat Planets change?
Yes. Your planet ranking changes automatically depending on how frequently you interact with your friends.
6. Does everyone have Snapchat Planets?
No. Only eligible Snapchat+ users can access the Friend Solar System feature.
7. Can I become someone’s Mercury?
Yes. By consistently exchanging snaps, chatting frequently, and maintaining active interactions, you may move up in their friendship ranking.
8. Do Snapchat Planets affect Snapstreaks?
No. Planet rankings and Snapstreaks are separate features and do not influence each other.
9. Can other people see my Snapchat Planet?
No. Your Friend Solar System is private and only visible to you within the supported Snapchat+ experience.
10. Why can’t I see Snapchat Planets?
You may not have a Snapchat+ subscription, the feature may not be enabled, or the specific friendship may not qualify to display the Friend Solar System.