If you’ve been using Snapchat lately, especially Snapchat+ there’s a good chance you’ve stared at those little planets and thought, “Okay… but how real is this?”
You’re not weird for wondering. I’ve been there too.
Snap Planets Order looks simple on the surface, but once you notice planets shifting, friends moving closer or farther away, and rankings changing without warning, it raises real questions. Is Snapchat actually measuring friendship? Or is this just another flashy feature meant to keep us hooked?
After using Snapchat consistently, observing patterns, and keeping up with platform changes into 2025, let’s talk about this honestly, without hype or overthinking.
What Exactly Is Snap Planet Order?
Snap Planet Order is part of Snapchat+, Snapchat’s paid subscription. It’s a visual way to show how frequently you interact with certain friends.
Here’s the idea in plain terms:
- You are the Sun
- Your top friends are planets
- Closer planets = more interaction
That’s it. No magic. No emotional analysis. Just data turned into visuals.
One important thing many people miss: this feature only applies to your Best Friends list, which is capped at eight people. If someone isn’t a Best Friend, they won’t appear as a planet at all.
How Snap Planet Order Actually Works (Without the Tech Jargon)
Snapchat doesn’t publish its full algorithm (they never do), but after years of consistent use and testing patterns, a few things are clear.
Snap Planet Order mainly depends on:
- How often you send and receive snaps
- Direct chats (one-on-one matters far more than groups)
- How recent those interactions are
- Mutual engagement (both people snapping each other)
What matters less than people think:
- Calls
- Viewing stories
- Group chat activity
This explains why someone you talk to every day in a group chat might still sit way out near Neptune.
What Each Planet Really Means
Snapchat uses a solar system theme, but the meaning behind each planet is pretty straightforward.
Here’s how it usually breaks down in 2025:
- Mercury – Your most snapped friend
- Venus – Very close, frequent interaction
- Earth – Strong, consistent communication
- Mars – Regular but not daily
- Jupiter – Moderate interaction
- Saturn – Occasional snapping
- Uranus – Infrequent but still present
- Neptune – Lowest interaction among Best Friends
These aren’t official definitions, but they align closely with real-world behavior across thousands of users.
So… How Accurate Is Snap Planet Order Really?
Here’s the honest answer:
Snap Planet Order is accurate at tracking activity but terrible at measuring relationships.
That difference matters.
Let’s talk about where it gets things right, and where it completely misses the point.
Where Snap Planet Order Gets It Right
It Tracks Snap Frequency Very Well
If you constantly snap someone’s photos, videos, replies you’ll see them move closer. This part works reliably.
When I’ve tested it:
- Daily snapping almost always leads to Mercury or Venus
- Taking a break for a few days causes planets to drift outward
It Updates Faster Than It Used To
In 2025, changes don’t take weeks anymore. Rankings can shift within a day or two, especially if your activity changes suddenly.
It Matches the Best Friends List
Snap Planet Order isn’t a separate system. It’s simply showing you something Snapchat has tracked quietly for years.
The difference now? You can see it, and that visibility changes how people feel about it.
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Where Snap Planet Order Falls Short
This is where misunderstandings start and honestly, where frustration comes from.
It Has No Emotional Awareness
Snapchat doesn’t know:
- Who you trust
- Who you care about
- Who matters offline
Someone you love talking to in real life but rarely snap might appear farther away than someone you casually trade memes with.
Group Chats Don’t Count Much
If most of your interaction happens in group chats, Snap Planet Order won’t reflect that accurately. Direct snaps still dominate the ranking system.
Low-Effort Snaps Still Count
Yes, even:
- Blank snaps
- Random ceiling photos
- Quick streak replies
The system sees them all the same. Quality doesn’t matter, frequency does.
Why Snap Planet Order Sometimes Feels “Off”
If you’ve ever thought, “This makes no sense,” you’re not wrong.
Here’s why planets change unexpectedly:
- Snapchat values recent behavior more than history
- Old streaks don’t protect your rank
- One-sided snapping weakens placement
- Someone else snapping you more can push another friend outward
It’s less about loyalty and more about momentum.
Snap Planet Order vs Best Friends: Is There a Difference?
Functionally? No.
The Best Friends list has always existed. Snap Planet Order just turns it into a visual system.
Think of it like this:
- Best Friends = data
- Snap Planet Order = display
That’s why Snap Planet Order requires Snapchat+, while Best Friends does not.
Can You “Game” Snap Planet Order?
Short answer: temporarily, yes but it doesn’t last.
Sending frequent snaps will boost ranking for a while, but Snapchat seems pretty good at spotting unnatural behavior over time.
What works:
- Genuine, consistent interaction
- Mutual replies
- Regular communication
What doesn’t:
- Spam snapping
- One-sided effort
- Trying to force rankings
Eventually, the system balances itself.
Is Snap Planet Order the Same for Everyone?
Not even close.
Snap Planet Order is:
- Private
- Personalized
- Based on your interaction history
Two people can snap each other and see completely different planets. That’s normal, and it’s intentional.
Privacy Concerns: Should You Worry?
Snap Planet Order isn’t public. No one can see your rankings except you.
That said, the emotional impact is real. Seeing someone drift away or not appear at all can mess with your head if you take it too seriously.
Which brings us to the most important point.
How You Should Use Snap Planet Order
Use it as:
- A rough interaction tracker
- A way to notice activity changes
- A fun visual feature
Don’t use it as:
- A friendship score
- A measure of importance
- Proof of how someone feels about you
Snapchat tracks taps not trust.
Final Verdict: Is Snap Planet Order Accurate or Not?
Yes, it’s accurate at measuring snaps. No, it’s not accurate at measuring relationships.
Once you understand that difference, the feature makes a lot more sense and becomes far less stressful.
Final Thoughts
Snap Planet Order is one of those features that’s fun, interesting, and occasionally confusing. It wasn’t designed to define relationships, but many people treat it that way anyway.
If you keep it in perspective, it’s useful. If you don’t, it can quickly become misleading.
