Common Snapchat Planets Myths and Facts
Snapchat Planets is one of the most talked-about features of Snapchat Plus. It ranks your top eight friends using a virtual solar system, with Mercury representing your closest friend and Neptune representing your eighth closest friend. While the feature is fun and interactive, it has also led to many myths and misconceptions.
Some users believe Snapchat Planets can reveal secret friendships, predict relationships, or even show who likes them the most. In reality, many of these claims are false.
In this article, we’ll separate myths from facts so you can better understand how Snapchat Planets really works.
What Are Snapchat Planets?
Snapchat Planets is part of the Friend Solar System feature available exclusively to Snapchat Plus subscribers.
In this system:
- You are the Sun.
- Your top eight friends are assigned planets.
- Each planet represents a friendship ranking based on your Snapchat activity.
The ranking order is:
- Mercury
- Venus
- Earth
- Mars
- Jupiter
- Saturn
- Uranus
- Neptune
The closer the planet is to the Sun, the higher your interaction level with that friend.
Myth 1: Snapchat Planets Show Your Real-Life Best Friends
Fact
Snapchat Planets only measure your activity within Snapchat.
The ranking is based on:
- Snaps exchanged
- Chat frequency
- Story interactions
- Snapstreaks
- Overall engagement
Someone can be your best friend in real life but appear lower in your Solar System if you rarely communicate through Snapchat.
Myth 2: Mercury Means Someone Likes You Romantically
Fact
Mercury simply represents the person you interact with the most.
It does not indicate:
- Romantic interest
- Dating status
- Emotional connection
- Secret feelings
The ranking is entirely based on app activity.
Myth 3: Planet Rankings Never Change
Fact
Snapchat Planets are dynamic.
Your rankings change whenever your interaction patterns change.
For example:
- Sending more snaps to another friend may move them higher.
- Reduced communication may lower someone’s ranking.
- Maintaining Snapstreaks can strengthen a friend’s position.
The Friend Solar System updates automatically over time.
Myth 4: You Can Manually Choose Your Mercury
Fact
There is no option to manually assign planets.
Snapchat’s algorithm determines the rankings based on your interactions.
You cannot:
- Pin someone as Mercury.
- Lock Planet positions.
- Rearrange your Solar System manually.
Myth 5: Everyone Can See Your Planet Rankings
Fact
Your Friend Solar System is private.
Other users cannot see:
- Your complete ranking list.
- Which planet each friend occupies.
- Your top eight friends.
Each Snapchat user has their own separate Solar System.
Myth 6: Sending Hundreds of Snaps Instantly Will Make Someone Mercury
Fact
Snapchat rewards consistent interaction rather than sudden activity spikes.
The algorithm looks at:
- Long-term communication.
- Regular engagement.
- Balanced interactions.
- Recent activity over time.
Spamming snaps is unlikely to produce immediate ranking changes.
Myth 7: Snapchat Planets Work Without Snapchat Plus
Fact
Snapchat Planets is a premium Snapchat Plus feature.
Free Snapchat users cannot access:
- Friend Solar System
- Planet rankings
- Friendship visualization
An active Snapchat Plus subscription is required.
Myth 8: Every Friend Gets a Planet
Fact
Only your top eight friends receive planets.
Friends outside your top eight do not appear in the Friend Solar System.
If someone’s interaction level decreases, they may disappear from your Planet rankings.
Myth 9: Planet Colors Affect Rankings
Fact
The colors and designs of the planets are purely visual.
They do not indicate:
- Friendship strength
- Activity score
- Special relationship status
Only the planet’s position in the Solar System determines its ranking.
Myth 10: Snapchat Uses Location to Rank Friends
Fact
Your location has no direct effect on Snapchat Planet rankings.
The ranking is based on communication within the app, including:
- Snaps
- Chats
- Story engagement
- Snapstreaks
Where you live or travel does not determine your Planet position.
Myth 11: Third-Party Apps Can Reveal Hidden Planet Rankings
Fact
Many websites and apps claim they can unlock hidden Snapchat data.
These claims are false.
Third-party apps cannot:
- View private Planet rankings.
- Change your Solar System.
- Reveal secret friendship information.
Using unofficial apps may also put your Snapchat account at risk.
Myth 12: Snapchat Planets Update Instantly
Fact
Planet rankings are not updated in real time.
Snapchat periodically processes your interactions before adjusting rankings.
Depending on your activity, updates may take several hours or even a few days.
Myth 13: If Someone Is Your Mercury, You Must Be Their Mercury
Fact
Snapchat Planets are not always mutual.
For example:
- Someone may be your Mercury.
- You could be their Venus or Earth.
- Another friend might be their Mercury.
Each person’s Friend Solar System is calculated independently.
Myth 14: Losing Mercury Means the Friendship Is Over
Fact
A change in Planet rankings simply reflects changes in Snapchat activity.
It does not mean:
- Your friendship has ended.
- Someone dislikes you.
- You’ve been replaced in real life.
People naturally communicate with different friends at different times.
Tips for Understanding Snapchat Planets
To enjoy the feature without confusion:
- Remember that rankings are based on Snapchat activity only.
- Don’t compare Planet positions with real-life friendships.
- Ignore rumors shared on social media.
- Avoid third-party tools claiming to reveal hidden information.
- Focus on using Snapchat naturally instead of trying to manipulate rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Snapchat Planets accurate?
Yes, they accurately reflect your interaction patterns within Snapchat, but they do not measure emotional closeness or real-world friendships.
Can I control my Planet rankings?
No. Rankings are calculated automatically by Snapchat’s algorithm.
Why did my Planet change?
Your ranking changes whenever your interaction level with friends changes over time.
Do Planet rankings affect my Snapchat account?
No. They are simply a visual representation of your friendship activity and do not affect your account features or performance.
Should I trust websites that promise hidden Snapchat Planet information?
No. Snapchat does not allow third-party services to access your private Friend Solar System, so such claims are misleading and should be avoided.
Understanding the facts behind Snapchat Planets helps you enjoy the feature as it was intended—a fun way to visualize your Snapchat interactions rather than a measure of your real-life relationships.
