How Snapchat Planets Are Changing the Way We See Friendships Online

Why Everyone’s Talking About Planets on Snapchat

So, here’s the deal. If you’ve opened Snapchat lately and noticed weird planets floating around your friend list, you’re not alone. This isn’t some random space update—it’s part of Snapchat Planets, a feature built into Snapchat+. And honestly, people are either lovin it or stressing over it.

But why does it matter? Cause apps like Snapchat are more than just places to share selfies or memes. They kinda reflect how we connect with friends day-to-day. So when Snapchat decides to turn your best friends into a solar system, it can feel fun, but it can also mess with emotions.

And trust me, it’s not just hype. If you look on TikTok, “Snapchat Planets explained” has millions of views, with teens and college kids making memes about being “stuck on Neptune” or fighting over who’s Mercury.

What Actually Are Snapchat Planets?

The Snapchat Planets system, also called the Friend Solar System, is a premium perk that comes with Snapchat+. It puts you as the Sun, and then arranges your top eight friends as planets around you.

• Mercury = your closest buddy, non-stop chatting
• Venus = the next best friend, still really tight
• Earth & Mars = friends you talk to a lot but not #1
• Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune = further out, meaning less daily interactions but still among your top 8

So basically, it’s a visual way of ranking how often you interact with someone. If you’re snapping and chatting everyday, boom—you’re Mercury. If it’s once in a while, maybe you’re Saturn.

The ranking changes constantly. Miss a few days of streaks? You could fall from Venus to Jupiter real quick. Which is why people get anxious.

The Trend: Why Everyone Got Hooked

It blew up fast cause it’s way more fun-looking than a boring list. Instead of saying “this is your #1 best friend,” it shows a glowing little Mercury orbiting right next to your Sun. It feels almost like gamified friendship.

But here’s the other side—some ppl hate it. Imagine opening the app and realizing you’re not even Mars on your bestie’s solar system. That stuff can sting.

I came across posts on Reddit where users literally said they argued with friends cause they “dropped from Mercury to Saturn.” That kinda shows how powerful these small gamified signals can be.

The Psychology Behind Planets

Social media apps are already masters of using FOMO (fear of missing out) to keep us hooked. Snapchat Planets takes it up a notch by visualizing closeness.

• If you’re Mercury → you feel special, validated.
• If you’re Neptune → maybe you feel like you don’t matter as much.

For teenagers especially, that emotional weight can hit hard. Researchers already found that ranking systems in apps can raise social anxiety and even impact self-esteem. Even tho Snapchat says it’s just for fun, for some it feels like a popularity scoreboard.

Real-World Case Study

Take Emma, a college freshman (saw her post on a student forum). She said she paid for Snapchat+ just to see her boyfriend’s planets. Turns out, she wasn’t Mercury—his “Mercury” was his gaming buddy. She said it caused a “mini freakout” and they argued over it.

Now, is that silly? Maybe. But it also shows how Snapchat Planets can actually affect real relationships in small but noticable ways.

How the Feature Works Technically

According to Snapchat’s official help page, the planets are based purely on interaction—like snaps sent, streaks, and chats. Nothing more.

It’s also important to know:

• Only Snapchat+ subscribers can see planets.
• Both people need to have the feature turned on.
• It’s optional, you can hide it if you want less drama.

So, if you don’t pay the $3.99/month, you won’t even see planets. Which also means Snapchat is using this hype to boost their premium subs.

Pros and Cons of Snapchat Planets

Pros

• Super visual and fun way to rank friends
• Can make convos playful (“I’m your Mercury!”)
• Gives Snapchat+ some value beyond just badges
• Easy way to track who you interact with most

Cons

• Can create jealousy or insecurity (why am I Neptune??)
• Rankings don’t reflect emotional closeness, just app use
• Paywalled behind Snapchat+, not free for all
• People feel pressured to snap more just to “stay closer”

Social Media Buzz

On TikTok, #SnapchatPlanets has tons of videos with people joking about being “friend-zoned to Neptune.” Memes on Twitter also roast the system, with one viral tweet saying: “Not me waking up to find I’m Saturn on my own bestie’s solar system. Delete this feature pls.”

It’s basically turned into both a bonding joke and a source of fights—depends how you look at it.

Tips to Handle Snapchat Planets

1. Take it lightly – it’s about app activity, not your true place in someone’s life.
2. Turn it off if stressed – it’s optional, so don’t let it wreck your mood.
3. Use it for fun – make memes, share screenshots, laugh about being Uranus.
4. Remember real friendships – actual closeness is measured offline, not by snaps.

FAQs

Conclusion: Should You Care About Snapchat Planets?

At the end of the day, Snapchat Planets is just another way the app gamifies social life. It’s fun, it’s colorful, it gives ppl stuff to laugh about. But, it can also fuel insecurity if you take it too seriously.

My advice? Enjoy it like a game, not a mirror of your friendships. Cause let’s be real—the person who texts you when you’re down, or shows up IRL, is worth way more than being your Mercury in a digital solar system.