What Is Snapchat Planet Order? Complete Friend Solar System Explained

The Snapchat Planet Order is one of the most misunderstood features on the platform. Some users treat it like a public ranking. Others assume it reflects emotional closeness or mutual loyalty. In reality, it is a private, interaction-based visualization tied directly to Snapchat+ and designed to gamify attention.

This article breaks down exactly what the Snapchat Solar System is, how it works, what each planet means, and why it creates both curiosity and anxiety among users. No hype, no guessing, no myths.

What Is Snapchat Planet Order and Why It Exists

The Snapchat Planet Order is part of the Friend Solar System feature, available only to Snapchat+ subscribers. It visually represents where you rank among another user’s Best Friends, based entirely on interaction data.

The concept borrows from a familiar metaphor:

● You are the Sun

● Your friends orbit you as planets

● The closer the planet, the more you interact with that person

Snapchat introduced this system to:

1. Make engagement metrics feel playful instead of numerical
2. Encourage frequent messaging and streak maintenance
3. Add perceived value to Snapchat+
4. Increase time spent comparing relationships

It is important to understand one thing upfront:
This system measures activity, not emotional importance.

Who Can See the Snapchat Solar System

1. Only Snapchat+ subscribers can see planets
2. The feature is private, not public
3. You only see your position in someone else’s solar system
4. You cannot see a full ranking list of their friends

If you do not have Snapchat+, you will not see planets at all.

Complete Snapchat Planet Order and Meaning

Snapchat uses the eight planets of the solar system. Each one corresponds to a relative position in another person’s Best Friends list.

Below is the exact order, closest to farthest.

1. Mercury- Closest planet

Meaning

● You are their #1 Best Friend

● Highest level of interaction

● Most frequent snaps, chats, and engagement

What it represents

● Constant communication

● Daily snapping

● Strong streak consistency

Emoji indicators

● Red heart

● Planet Mercury with hearts

2. Venus

Meaning

● Second closest friend

● Very high interaction but not the top spot

What it represents

● Regular daily snaps

● Strong but slightly less frequent engagement than Mercury

Emoji indicators

● Pink or yellow hearts

● Venus planet symbol

3. Earth

Meaning

● Third position in Best Friends ranking

What it represents

● Consistent interaction

● Often part of group chats or shared streaks

● Stable but not dominant engagement

Emoji indicators

● Earth globe emoji

● Small hearts or stars

4. Mars

Meaning

● Fourth closest friend

What it represents

● Noticeable but uneven interaction

● Often messaging in bursts rather than daily

Emoji indicators

● Red planet

● Occasional hearts

5. Jupiter

Meaning

● Mid-level Best Friend ranking

What it represents

● Sporadic interaction

● You snap them, but not habitually

● Often replaced if engagement drops

Emoji indicators

● Large striped planet

● Few or no hearts

6. Saturn

Meaning

● Lower-tier Best Friend

What it represents

● Interaction exists but is inconsistent

● More passive communication

Emoji indicators

● Ringed planet

● Minimal decoration

7. Uranus

Meaning

● Near the edge of Best Friends

What it represents

● Occasional replies

● Limited snapping

● Often temporary ranking

Emoji indicators

● Pale blue planet

● No hearts

8. Neptune- Farthest planet

Meaning

● Lowest Best Friend ranking

What it represents

● Rare interaction

● At risk of disappearing from Best Friends entirely

Emoji indicators

● Dark blue planet

● Empty or minimal visuals

What the Planet Order Actually Measures

Snapchat has never published a formula, but repeated testing and user behavior patterns show the system prioritizes:

1. Number of snaps sent and received
2. Frequency of chats
3. Consistency over time
4. Recency of interaction
5. Mutual engagement

It does not measure:

1. Who you care about most
2. Who you talk to longest
3. Who you trust
4. Who sees your private stories

This is a behavioral metric, not a relationship metric.

Best Friends List vs Solar System Ranking

Many users confuse these two features. They are related but not identical.

Key Differences

Feature	Best Friends List	Solar System
Visibility	Private	Private
Who sees it	You	Snapchat+ users
Ranking shown	Names only	Planet position
Emotional context	None	Implied
Accuracy	Interaction-based	Same data, visualized

The Solar System does not add new data. It repackages existing data in a more emotionally engaging format.

Comparison With Other Platforms

Instagram

1. No visible friendship ranking
2. Algorithmic feed prioritization only
3. Less personal comparison

WhatsApp

1. No engagement-based ranking
2. No gamification
3. Relationship context stays private

Snapchat

1. Direct visualization of interaction
2. Gamified hierarchy
3. Emotional interpretation encouraged

Snapchat goes further than competitors in turning activity into perceived intimacy.

Final Verdict: Useful Feature or Gamified Distraction?

The Snapchat Planet Order is neither meaningless nor profound. It accurately visualizes interaction patterns, but it also amplifies emotional interpretation.

As a tool, it can:

1. Offer insight into communication habits
2. Reveal shifting attention patterns

As a social signal, it can:

1. Create unnecessary anxiety
2. Encourage performative interaction
3. Confuse activity with importance

Used casually, it is harmless. Taken seriously, it becomes misleading.

In the end, Snapchat Planet Order is not about who matters most. It is about who snaps most. Whether that distinction stays clear is up to the user.