Quick Answer:
It is a private list that shows the people you interact with the most on Snapchat. Snapchat creates this list automatically based on your snapping and chatting activity. You can have up to 8 Best Friends on the free version. The list updates over time as your interaction changes. Only you can see your full Best Friends list.
Snapchat tracks how often and how recently you communicate with friends. Based on this activity, it places the most active people at the top of your Best Friends list. You cannot edit the list manually, and others cannot see it. As your daily behavior changes, the list adjusts naturally.
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What Is the Snapchat Best Friends List?
The Snapchat Best Friends List shows the friends you interact with the most through snaps and chats. This list can include up to 8 people, and Snapchat selects them automatically based on your activity. You cannot manually add or remove anyone from this list because it is fully system-generated.
The list is private, which means no other user can see your complete Best Friends list. An important thing to remember is that only you can view your own list, making it a personal feature rather than a public one.
Some third-party apps claim they can show hidden Snapchat data like Best Friends lists.
In reality, most of these claims are misleading, which we explain in our Snapchat viewer real vs fake guide.
How Snapchat Decides Your Best Friends? (Algorithm Explained)
Snapchat decides your Best Friends by looking at how you interact with people on the app. One-to-one snaps have the strongest effect because they show direct and active communication.
Chat messages also matter, but they do not carry as much weight as snaps. Snap streaks help maintain a connection, but they alone cannot keep someone at the top. Group snaps have less impact than private snaps, which is why they do not strongly affect rankings.
How Often Does Snapchat Update the Best Friends List?
The Best Friends list does not update immediately after every snap or chat. Small changes can appear within a few hours if your activity shifts slightly. Bigger ranking changes usually take one or two days to become visible. Sudden list changes happen when interaction drops or increases quickly. This update delay helps keep the list stable and accurate.
What are Snapchat Best Friend Emojis?
Snapchat shows Best Friend emojis to represent how your interaction compares with other friends. These emojis work as visual signals that update automatically based on activity patterns. They help users understand friendship status without revealing any private list or exact ranking.
- 💛 Yellow Heart: This appears when both users interact with each other more than anyone else.
- ❤️ Red Heart: This shows that the top mutual friendship has remained consistent for two weeks.
- 💕 Pink Hearts: This indicates a long-term strong connection lasting two months.
- 😊 Smiling Face: This person is active with you but not the most active.
- 😎 Sunglasses: This means you and this person have a common close friend.
- 😏 Smirk: This shows uneven interaction where one user engages more than the other.
Related Article:
Many users notice their Best Friends list and emojis changing over time without manual control. This happens due to Snapchat’s internal system, which is explained in how Snapchat Best Friends ranking works.
Snapchat+ Features That Change the Best Friends Experience:
Snapchat+ adds extra features that help you see more details about your Best Friends, but it does not change how Snapchat selects them. Many users think paying changes rankings, but that is not true. The system still works the same for free and paid users.
1. Extended Best Friends View:
Snapchat Plus allows you to see more friends than the usual top 8 Best Friends list. This helps you understand which people you interact with often, even if they are not in your main list. It only expands what you can see and does not change rankings.
2. Friend Solar System (Planets View):
With Snapchat+, friends are shown as planets based on how close your interaction is with them. Friends with stronger interaction appear closer, while others appear farther away. This feature gives a visual way to understand friendship levels.
3. Pin a Friend as #1 Best Friend:
Snapchat+ lets you pin one person as your #1 Best Friend for personal viewing. This pin does not affect how Snapchat ranks your friends. It is only meant to help you highlight someone important.
4. Visual Insight Without Manual Control:
Snapchat+ focuses on showing information, not giving control. You still cannot edit or reorder your Best Friends list. All rankings continue to depend on real interaction.
5. Private Features for Snapchat+ Users:
All Snapchat+ Best Friends features are visible only to the subscriber. Other users do not see extended lists, planets, or pinned friends. This keeps the experience personal and private.
6. Same System for Free and Paid Users:
Snapchat uses the same algorithm for both free and Snapchat+ users. Paying for Snapchat+ does not give ranking advantages. It only adds extra visuals and insights.
Did You Know:
Even if someone appears in your Extended Best Friends, they may only see a normal emoji on their side.
What’s the Difference Between Snapchat Planets and the Best Friends List?
Snapchat Planets and the Best Friends List are often confused because they rely on the same interaction data. However, they serve different purposes inside the app. One works silently in the background, while the other exists only to help users understand ranking visually.
Snapchat Best Friends List:
The Best Friends List is Snapchat’s internal ranking system. It continuously evaluates who you interact with the most using private one-to-one snaps, chats, and recent activity patterns. Its job is purely functional: deciding which friends rank higher based on usage behavior.
This system operates quietly and does not explain why someone ranks higher or lower. It simply updates as your interaction habits change over time.
Snapchat Planets:
Snapchat Planets are a visual layer added on top of the Best Friends system. Instead of calculating rankings, they display your position in someone else’s list using planets and distance from the Sun. The closer the planet, the stronger the interaction.
Planets do not introduce new rules or signals. They only translate existing ranking data into a visual format that is easier to understand at a glance.
Why the Confusion Exists?
Confusion happens because both features rely on the same interaction data but produce different outputs. The Best Friends List determines rankings without showing details, while Snapchat Planets reveal relative position visually. This makes users think Planets are a separate system, even though they are not.
Snapchat Planets vs Best Friends List (Clear Comparison)
|
Aspect |
Best Friends List |
Snapchat Planets |
|---|---|---|
|
Primary function |
Calculates friend ranking |
Displays ranking visually |
|
System layer |
Background algorithm |
Front-end interface feature |
|
Who can access it |
All Snapchat users |
Snapchat+ subscribers only |
|
Role in ranking |
Creates and updates ranks |
Does not affect ranking |
|
Type of feedback |
List order and emojis |
Planet position and distance |
|
Level of detail |
Hidden and indirect |
Visual and easy to interpret |
|
Update style |
Silent, automatic adjustments |
Visible movement over time |
|
Common misunderstanding |
Users think it’s editable |
Users think it’s a new system |
Key takeaway:
The Best Friends List decides the ranking, while Snapchat Planets mean simply show where that ranking stands.
How to Change Your Snapchat Best Friends List (Practical Guide):
Your Snapchat Best Friends list can change based on how you interact with people. You cannot edit this list manually, but your daily activity slowly affects rankings. Small and consistent behavior changes are the only way to move friends up or down naturally.
How to Make Someone Your #1 Best Friend?
To move someone to the #1 position, you need to interact with them every day in a balanced way. Regular one-to-one snaps matter more than occasional heavy activity. What actually works is steady interaction over multiple days, not sudden bursts. Common myths like only maintaining streaks or sending emojis do not control rankings. Usually, visible change happens after consistent activity for a few days, not instantly.
How to Remove Someone from Your Best Friends List?
The best method is to naturally reduce interaction instead of taking extreme actions. When you stop snapping someone frequently, their position slowly moves down. This approach keeps things smooth and avoids unwanted attention. It works quietly and does not affect other friendships. The process depends on how active you are with others.
What NOT to do:
Does Blocking or Removing Reset Best Friends?
Blocking or removing a friend clears the interaction record between both users. When added again, Snapchat treats the connection as new. This means previous ranking influence is lost completely. Because of this reset effect, this action should only be used when a full break is intended.
Did You Know:
Sometimes a friend stays on your Best Friends list briefly even after reduced interaction, because Snapchat adjusts rankings gradually instead of immediately.
How Do You See Bestfriends on Snapchat?
To see your Best Friends on Snapchat, open the app and go to the Chat screen. At the top of the list, you will see friends you talk to the most. These friends usually have special emojis next to their names. Snapchat updates this list automatically based on your activity. You cannot choose Best Friends manually, and others cannot see your list.
Common Myths About Snapchat Best Friends (Myth vs Truth):
There are many misunderstandings about how the Snapchat Best Friends system works. These myths often come from assumptions rather than real app behavior. Clearing them helps users avoid unnecessary confusion and worry.
|
Myths |
Truth |
|---|---|
|
They get notified |
Snapchat does not send any alert when Best Friends change. |
|
You can manually edit the list |
The list is fully automatic and cannot be customized. |
|
Screenshots affect ranking |
Screenshots have no role in deciding Best Friends. |
|
Streaks alone decide Best Friends |
Streaks help, but they do not control rankings by themselves. |
Why Is My Snapchat Best Friends List Not Updating?
Sometimes the Snapchat Best Friends list does not update as quickly as users expect. This can create confusion and make it seem like the feature is not working. In most cases, the issue is related to normal app behavior.
Best Friends List Feels Stuck
Snapchat does not change rankings immediately after every snap or chat. The system needs time to compare your recent activity with others. Because of this delay, the list may appear unchanged for some time.
Best Friend Emojis Disappeared
Emojis can disappear when your interaction balance changes slightly. This usually happens if another friend becomes more active or if your snapping slows down. It does not always mean a big change in ranking.
Someone Suddenly Removed from Best Friends
When interaction with a friend drops, their position can move down. At the same time, increased activity with others can push them out of the list. This shift can happen naturally without any warning.
App Cache or Update Issues
Using an outdated Snapchat version can slow down updates. Stored app cache may also cause display delays. Updating the app or refreshing it often fixes this issue.
Conclusion:
The Snapchat Best Friends List works automatically and changes based on how you interact with others. It is private, so only you can see your full list and related features. Emojis and Snapchat+ options help explain friendships but do not control rankings. Small, consistent actions matter more than shortcuts or myths. Understanding how this system works helps you use Snapchat with confidence.
