Snapchat has long been a playground for creative social interaction, especially among Gen Z users who love its quirky features and fleeting moments. With the introduction of Snapchat Plus, the app has taken things to a whole new level, offering premium subscribers exclusive perks that make the experience even more engaging. One of the stand-out feature’s of Snapchat Plus is “Snapchat Planeter” (or Snapchat Planets, as it’s more commonly known), a playful and innovative way to visualize your friendships. Launched in 2022, this feature transforms your closest connections into a personalized solar system, with you as the shining Sun and your friends as orbiting planets. But what exactly is Snapchat Planeter, how does it work, and why has it captured the attention of users worldwide? Let’s dive into this cosmic social experiment.
What Are Snapchat Planeter?
Snapchat Planets, officially part of the “Friend Solar System” feature, is an exclusive tool available only to Snapchat Plus subscribers. It takes the concept of the traditional “Best Friends” list and gives it a celestial makeover. In this system, you are the Sun—the center of your social universe—and your top eight friends are assigned planets based on how often you interact with them. The more you snap, chat, and maintain streaks with someone, the closer their planet is to you, mirroring the order of our real solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
This isn’t just a random gimmick. Snapchat’s algorithm calculates your interaction frequency—snaps sent, messages exchanged, and streaks kept alive—to determine each friend’s planetary position. Mercury represents your #1 best friend, the person you connect with most, while Neptune marks your eighth closest pal. It’s a dynamic system, meaning these positions can shift as your interactions evolve, adding a layer of fun and curiosity to your daily Snapchat routine.
The Order and Meaning of Snapchat Planets
The beauty of Snapchat Planets lies in its simplicity and familiarity. The order follows our actual solar system, making it easy to grasp. Here’s a breakdown of what each planet signifies:
- Mercury: Your closest friend—the one you snap and chat with the most. Picture a pinkish-red planet surrounded by red hearts, symbolizing that fiery, constant connection.
- Venus: Your second-best friend. This planet appears beige with multicolored hearts (pink, blue, yellow), hinting at a strong but slightly less intense bond.
- Earth: Your third-closest friend. It looks like our real Earth, complete with green land, blue oceans, a moon, and red hearts—a reliable, grounded friendship.
- Mars: Fourth in line, depicted as a red planet with purple and blue hearts and stars. The connection is still solid but less frequent.
- Jupiter: Fifth place, shown as a reddish-orange giant with stripes and stars. Interaction is regular but not as tight as the inner planets.
- Saturn: Sixth, with its iconic golden ring and stars. This friend is a steady presence, though not in your daily orbit.
- Uranus: Seventh, a green planet with subtle stars. Contact is occasional but meaningful.
- Neptune: Eighth and farthest, a blue planet with minimal flair. This friend is still in your top circle, but interactions are the least frequent.
Each planet’s design is visually distinct, making it a delightful way to see where you and your friends stand—literally—in your Snapchat galaxy.
How to Access Snapchat Planets
To explore this feature, you’ll need a Snapchat Plus subscription, which costs $3.99 monthly or $29.99 annually as of April 2025. Once subscribed, the Friend Solar System is available, though it’s turned off by default for new users (a change made after feedback about teen anxiety). To enable it, head to the Snapchat+ feature management page in your settings and toggle it on.
To check your position in a friend’s solar system—or theirs in yours—open their profile. Look for a gold-ringed “Best Friends” or “Friends” badge. “Best Friends” means you’re both in each other’s top eight; “Friends” means you’re in theirs, but they’re not in yours. Tap the badge, and you’ll see your Bitmoji on a planet orbiting their Sun, revealing your rank. It’s a private affair—only you can see your own solar system, keeping the drama to a minimum.
Why Snapchat Planets Matter
Snapchat Planets isn’t just a cute visual trick; it’s a gamified take on social dynamics. It encourages users to stay active, snapping more to climb the ranks in their friends’ systems or maintain their own Mercury status. For some, it’s a lighthearted way to track friendships; for others, it’s a competitive nudge to reconnect with those drifting toward Neptune.
However, it’s not without its quirks. The feature sparked debate when it first launched, with some teens feeling pressured or insecure if they weren’t a close planet in a friend’s system. Snapchat responded by making it optional, emphasizing that it’s meant for fun, not to define real-life bonds. After all, a Neptune ranking doesn’t mean you’re not besties—it just means you might not Snapchat as much.
The Bigger Picture: Snapchat Planeter
Snapchat Planets fits into the app’s broader strategy of keeping users hooked with fresh, interactive features. Alongside perks like story rewatch indicators and custom app icons, it’s a reason to justify the Plus subscription. As of April 9, 2025, it remains a hit among subscribers, blending nostalgia (think old-school Best Friends lists) with a modern, cosmic twist.
So, should you care about Snapchat Planets? If you’re a Plus user who loves a playful spin on friendships, absolutely. It’s a quirky lens into your digital social circle, reflecting how you connect in the fleeting, snap-driven world of Snapchat. Just don’t let it dictate your real-world relationships—after all, the Sun doesn’t sulk if Mercury takes a day off.
Whether you’re chasing Mercury status or just enjoying the ride, Snapchat Planets proves one thing: even in the vast expanse of social media, there’s always room for a little stardust.
