Social media apps are constantly evolving, introducing creative features to keep users engaged. One of Snapchat’s most unique additions is Snap Planets, a fun and interactive way for friends to visualize their closeness in a solar system-style ranking system.
Snap Planets quickly became a trending feature because it adds a gamified and visual element to friendships, making it easier to understand where you stand with your best friends on Snapchat.
In this guide, we’ll explore what Snap Planets http://magazinevibe.co.ukare, how they work, their meaning, and why users love them.
What are Snap Planets?
Snap Planets is part of Snapchat’s Friend Solar System, available exclusively to users with Snapchat+ (Snapchat Plus), the app’s premium subscription service.
The feature places you and your friends into a virtual solar system, where each person is represented by a planet. The closer the planet is to the “Sun,” the stronger or closer your friendship rank is.
Essentially, it’s a fun way to show how close you are to someone based on your Snapchat interactions.
How Does Snap Planets Work?
Here’s how Snap Planets function within the Snapchat+ Friend Solar System:
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The Sun: You are always represented as the Sun in the system.
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Planets: Your friends appear as planets orbiting around you. Their position (planet number) depends on your friendship ranking.
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Friendship Ranking:
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Mercury = Closest friend (Rank #1)
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Venus = Second closest friend (Rank #2)
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Earth = Third closest friend (Rank #3)
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Mars = Fourth closest friend (Rank #4)
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Jupiter = Fifth closest friend (Rank #5)
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Saturn = Sixth closest friend (Rank #6)
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Uranus = Seventh closest friend (Rank #7)
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Neptune = Eighth closest friend (Rank #8)
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The closer the planet is to you (the Sun), the stronger your friendship rank.
Example of Snap Planets
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If your best friend is your #1 on Snapchat, they’ll appear as Mercury in your Snap Solar System.
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A casual friend who is your #6 will appear as Saturn.
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If you’re their #1 best friend, you’ll appear as Mercury in their solar system too.
This dual perspective makes it fun to compare positions and see if the feelings are mutual.
Why Did Snapchat Introduce Snap Planets?
Snapchat launched Snap Planets to:
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Enhance Engagement: Gamifying friendships keeps users checking the app more often.
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Encourage Subscriptions: Since it’s a Snapchat+ feature, it drives users to pay for premium.
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Personalize Friendships: It offers a visual and fun way to understand closeness with friends.
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Create Conversations: Users often share screenshots of their planets, sparking curiosity and discussions.
Benefits of Using Snap Planets
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Fun Visualization: Turns friendships into a playful, cosmic system.
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Better Understanding of Friendships: Helps track who you interact with most.
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Mutual Checking: Lets you see if your friendship rank is reciprocated.
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Exclusive Perk: Adds value for Snapchat+ subscribers.
Criticisms and Controversy
While Snap Planets is entertaining, some users have raised concerns:
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Privacy Issues: People may feel pressured if they’re not ranked as highly in a friend’s solar system.
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Jealousy and Drama: Ranking friendships can create misunderstandings among friends.
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Paywall Restriction: Since it’s a Snapchat+ feature, free users can’t access it.
Despite these criticisms, Snap Planets remains one of Snapchat+’s most popular and talked-about features.
How to Access Snap Planets
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Subscribe to Snapchat+ (available for a monthly or yearly fee).
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Open a chat with a friend.
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Tap on the “Best Friends badge” in their profile.
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If they are among your top friends, their planet ranking will appear in your Snap Solar System.
Snap Planets vs. Traditional Best Friends List
Before Snapchat+ introduced Snap Planets, the Best Friends List was the only way to gauge closeness. While that list still exists, Snap Planets adds a visual, interactive layer that makes the ranking more fun and engaging.
Cultural Impact
Snap Planets quickly went viral after launch, with users posting screenshots of their positions on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Many people now use it not only as a feature but also as a status symbol to show off their closeness with best friends.
It has become part of the digital friendship culture, proving how much influence social media features have on relationships today.
Conclusion
Snap Planets is one of Snapchat’s most creative features, transforming the way friendships are visualized on social media. By gamifying connections through a solar system model, it adds fun, exclusivity, and interactivity for Snapchat+ users.
While not without controversy, its popularity proves that people love playful and visual ways to measure their social connections. Whether you’re Mercury on someone’s Sun or orbiting further away, Snap Planets has made friendships more engaging and cosmic than ever before.
