Snapchat Launches ‘Planets’ Feature for Subscribers, Visualizing Friend Engagement
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Snapchat is rolling out a new feature called “Planets” exclusively for Snapchat+ subscribers, offering a unique, visually-driven representation of their closest connections. The feature, dubbed the “Friend-Solar System,” displays a user’s eight most frequently interacted-with friends orbiting their Bitmoji, which serves as the sun.
Snapchat’s latest offering aims to gamify social connection within the app, providing a dynamic snapshot of user engagement. According to a company release, “Planets give a visual representation of engagement,” with closer proximity to the Bitmoji sun indicating more frequent interaction.
How Snapchat Planets Work: A Cosmic Ranking System
The system ranks friends based on a variety of factors, including snaps exchanged, chats initiated, shared streaks, and overall interaction with their Stories. Each friend is assigned a planetary designation, mirroring the order of our solar system.
Here’s a breakdown of what each planet signifies:
- Mercury – The #1 friend, characterized by daily interactions, consistent streaks, and strong overall engagement. Often considered a best friend.
- Venus – The #2 friend, engaging in chats multiple times per week with warm and varied interactions.
- Earth – The #3 friend, representing a reliable and consistent connection, regularly responding and staying connected.
- Mars – The #4 friend, active and energetic, frequently sending snaps or engaging in chats, though not within the top three.
- Jupiter – The #5 friend, demonstrating occasional engagement, often seen in group stories or chats.
- Saturn – The #6 friend, maintaining a casual interaction with less frequent messages or snaps.
- Uranus – The #7 friend, exhibiting light interaction, with recent or occasional contact.
- Neptune – The #8 friend, representing minimal interaction but still remaining within the user’s core circle.
Accessing and Managing Your Friend-Solar System
To experience Snapchat Planets, users must first be subscribed to Snapchat+. Once subscribed, the “Friend-Solar System” feature can be toggled on within the Snapchat+ settings. It’s important to note that the feature is off by default, a deliberate choice by Snapchat to mitigate potential social pressure.
To view a friend’s planetary ranking, both users must have Snapchat+ enabled and the “Friend-Solar System” activated. Users can visit a friend’s profile to see where they rank within their personal solar system, provided they are among the top eight.
One analyst noted that the algorithmic ranking is dynamic, meaning positions can shift daily based on user activity. Snapchat emphasizes that the rankings reflect interaction levels, not the overall quality of the friendship. Users can enable or disable the feature at any time.
Addressing Concerns and Promoting Authentic Connection
Snapchat has proactively addressed potential concerns about the feature fostering competition or anxiety. A senior official stated that the optional nature of “Planets” is intended to “reduce social pressure and protect emotional well-being.”
The company also clarifies that it does not send notifications for rank changes, further minimizing the potential for obsessive tracking. Instead, Snapchat encourages users to view the feature as a “fun, visual guide” to their closest connections, prioritizing authentic interactions over striving for a higher planetary ranking.
Snapchat Planets is a feature for Snapchat+ users that shows your top eight friends orbiting your profile. Your Bitmoji is the Sun, and each planet represents a friend’s level of engagement. The closer a friend is to the Sun, the more you interact through snaps, chats, streaks, and Story replies. Mercury is your #1 friend, Earth is #3, and Neptune represents the #8 friend in your core circle. Rankings update automatically based on your activity, so positions can shift daily.
Only Snapchat+ subscribers who enable the Friend-Solar System can see planets. Both you and your friend must have it turned on. You cannot manually assign planets, and Snapchat does not send notifications for rank changes.
The feature is off by default to avoid social pressure and protect emotional well-being. You can enable or disable it anytime in settings. Use it as a fun, visual guide to your closest connections. Focus on authentic interactions rather than rankings, and enjoy seeing your friend network in a new, playful way.
