Snapchat’s “Planet Order” feature ranks users’ closest friends by interaction frequency, placing them as planets orbiting the user’s avatar as the Sun—available exclusively to Snapchat+ subscribers since 2022. The system mirrors the solar system’s structure, with Mercury representing the most engaged contacts and Neptune the least, according to Snapchat’s official documentation and user guides. Here’s how it works, who qualifies, and what it reveals about digital relationships.
Snapchat, launched in 2011 by Stanford students Bobby Murphy, Evan Spiegel, and Reggie Brown, has grown into one of the world’s most-used social platforms, with over 750 million monthly active users as of 2024, per Statista. The app’s core appeal—disappearing messages, playful filters, and ephemeral content—has long prioritized engagement over permanence. The “Planet Order” feature, introduced as part of Snapchat+ in late 2022, extends this philosophy by gamifying social connections through an astronomical metaphor.
Unlike traditional “Best Friends” badges, which only appear if both users mutually rank each other in their top eight, the Planet Order system ranks all contacts based on a proprietary algorithm analyzing snaps sent, chats exchanged, streaks maintained, and story views. The closer a friend’s planet orbits the Sun (the user’s avatar), the stronger the connection—though the ranking is one-sided unless reciprocated. For example, a user might see a friend as Mercury (closest) while that friend sees them as Jupiter (mid-tier).
How the Snapchat Planet Order Works: A Breakdown by Planet
Snapchat’s ranking system follows the real solar system’s order, with each planet representing a tier of interaction frequency. Here’s what each position signifies, based on Snapchat’s internal documentation and user testing reports:
- Mercury (Closest to the Sun): The user’s most active contact, determined by the highest combined volume of snaps, chats, and streaks. Visual cues include five red hearts and two stars. Example: A daily snap exchange with a close friend.
- Venus: The second-closest friend, with five multicolored hearts (pink, yellow, blue) and two stars. Interaction is slightly less frequent than Mercury but still primary.
- Earth: The third tier, featuring four red hearts, a moon icon, and three stars. Represents consistent but not daily engagement.
- Mars: Focuses on streak consistency over chat frequency. Friends here maintain streaks but may not chat as often. Visuals include two purple hearts, one blue heart, and colorful dots.
- Jupiter: Mid-tier connections with fewer snaps or streaks than Saturn’s lower ranks. Displays colorful stars without hearts.
- Saturn: Occasional but meaningful interactions. Features three color stars and two dots (blue, yellow, pink).
- Uranus: Lower-frequency contacts. Appears with four yellow and two blue stars, indicating sporadic engagement.
- Neptune (Farthest from the Sun): The least interactive friends, with only blue stars and dots. Represents minimal recent activity.
Key Algorithm Factors: Snapchat’s ranking is not publicly disclosed in detail, but the company’s support documentation confirms it weighs:
- Snap frequency and reciprocity
- Chat volume and response time
- Streak duration (unbroken chains of daily snaps)
- Story views and reactions
A user’s position in another’s solar system depends entirely on their own activity toward that person—not the reverse.
Best Friend Badge vs. Planet Order: What’s the Difference?
Confusion often arises between Snapchat’s traditional “Best Friends” badge and the new Planet Order system. While both highlight close connections, they operate differently:
| Feature | Best Friend Badge | Planet Order |
|---|---|---|
| Mutual Requirement | Both users must rank each other in their top 8. | One-sided ranking based solely on the user’s activity. |
| Visual Representation | Gold ring encircling both avatars. | Friend’s Bitmoji as a planet orbiting the user’s Sun. |
| Accessibility | Available to all users. | Exclusive to Snapchat+ subscribers. |
| Interaction Threshold | Highest engagement tier (top 8 mutual). | Ranks all contacts from Mercury to Neptune. |
Why It Matters: The Planet Order system provides granularity absent in the binary Best Friends badge. Users can now see nuanced tiers of connection, encouraging mindful digital interactions. However, this granularity comes with a subscription cost: Snapchat+ starts at $3.99/month or $39/year, with features including custom app icons, early access to updates, and enhanced story tools.
How to Access Your Snapchat Planet Order
To view or enable the Planet Order feature, follow these steps verified by Snapchat’s official guide:
- Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon (bottom-left corner).
- Select “Snapchat+” (if not a subscriber, you’ll be prompted to upgrade).
- Go to “Settings” in the Snapchat+ tab and toggle “Planet Order” to “On.”
- View your solar system by tapping your profile image again; your avatar appears as the Sun, with friends’ Bitmojis orbiting as planets.
- Check a friend’s position by opening their profile, locating the “Friends” or “Best Friends” badge, and tapping it to reveal their planet.
Note: The feature is opt-in and disabled by default for new Snapchat+ subscribers. Users can also customize their solar system’s appearance, such as Bitmoji backgrounds or notification sounds, through Snapchat+ settings.
Criticism and Privacy Concerns
While the Planet Order feature has been praised for its creativity, it has also sparked debates about digital privacy and social pressure. Critics argue:
- Gamification of relationships: The feature may encourage users to prioritize engagement metrics over genuine connection, particularly among younger audiences.
- One-sided visibility: A user might see a friend as Mercury while that friend sees them as Neptune, creating potential social friction.
- Data transparency: Snapchat has not disclosed the full algorithm for ranking, raising questions about how interaction data is collected and stored.
Snapchat’s privacy policy states that user interactions are used to “personalize content and improve the app,” but it does not specify how Planet Order rankings are calculated or shared. Experts recommend users review their privacy settings to limit data sharing if concerned about over-collection.
What’s Next for Snapchat’s Planet Order?
Since its 2022 launch, the Planet Order feature has undergone minor updates, including:
- Bitmoji customization: Users can now adjust their solar system’s background and planet colors via Snapchat+.
- Algorithm refinements: Snapchat has tweaked the ranking system to reduce volatility, per internal testing reports cited in The Verge.
- Expansion plans: Rumors suggest Snapchat may extend the feature to non-Snapchat+ users in future updates, though no official timeline has been announced.
For now, the Planet Order remains a premium offering, reflecting Snapchat’s strategy to monetize deeper engagement. The company has not commented on whether the feature will be integrated into the free version, but industry analysts note that such moves could pressure competitors like Instagram to introduce similar gamified social dynamics.
Key Takeaways
To summarize the Planet Order’s impact and mechanics:
- Exclusivity: Only available to Snapchat+ subscribers ($3.99/month).
- One-sided ranking: Your position in a friend’s solar system depends on their activity toward you, not vice versa.
- Algorithm-driven: Based on snaps, chats, streaks, and story views—no public breakdown of weights.
- Privacy considerations: Encourages mindful sharing but may increase social comparison.
- Future potential: Could expand to free users or integrate with other platforms if successful.
For users curious about their digital connections, the Planet Order offers a novel way to visualize relationships—but with the caveat that rankings are fluid and tied to subscription status.
What’s your experience with Snapchat’s Planet Order? Share your thoughts in the comments—or let us know if you’ve noticed changes in how you interact with friends since the feature launched.
Maria Petrova is an international journalist covering digital culture and social media trends. She holds an MA in International Relations from Sofia University and has reported on tech ethics for Balkan Insight and World Today Journal.