Quick Answer:
Snapchat Best Friends are the people you Snap and Chat with the most. Snapchat automatically updates the list based on your activity, but it does not publicly disclose the exact formula or weighting used to determine each position. Your Best Friends list can contain up to eight people.
Have you ever noticed your Snapchat Best Friends list planets suddenly change and you think what you did or did not do to cause it? You are not imagining things. The list does change based on your recent activity, and Snapchat does not publicly explain every detail of how Best Friends are ranked, but it does confirm that Best Friends are the people you Snap and Chat with the most.
Based on how Snapchat describes the feature and how users commonly experience it, recent interactions play the biggest role in Snapchat algorithm. Here is what actually moves people up and down your Best Friends ranking.
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What Is the Best Friends Feature on Snapchat?
The Best Friends feature shows the people you interact with the most on Snapchat. These friends appear at the top of your chat list and get special emojis. The list is created automatically by Snapchat. Snapchat usually shows up to 8 Best Friends, and only you can see your own list. Other users cannot see who is on your Best Friends list.

Also Learn what Snapchat Planets are and how the Friend Solar System represents your position in a friend’s Best Friends list.
Note:
Snapchat automatically updates the Best Friends list based on ongoing activity rather than manual selection. Several factors influence this ranking process behind the scenes.
How to Make Someone Your #1 Best Friend on Snapchat?
You can’t instantly become someone’s #1 Best Friend. Snapchat decides Best Friends based on your recent interactions, especially the Snaps and Chats you exchange most frequently. There is no guaranteed shortcut to becoming someone’s #1 Best Friend.
Snapchat says Best Friends are the people you Snap and Chat with the most, so naturally interacting with someone more frequently may increase their prominence in your Best Friends list.
How Snapchat Best Friends Ranking Works?
Snapchat uses a system that checks how much you talk and share snaps with someone.Snapchat says your Best Friends are the people you Snap and Chat with the most. Your position can change as your activity with different friends changes, but Snapchat does not disclose the exact formula used to determine each position.
It does not matter how long you have known them or when you added them. The ranking keeps changing as your daily activity changes. Snapchat does not tell the exact rules, but it is clear that regular and recent chatting matters the most.
What Does Snapchat Confirm About Best Friends Ranking?
Snapchat says your Best Friends are the people you Snap and Chat with the most. The company does not publish a detailed scoring formula explaining how individual Snaps, Chats, streaks, or other actions are weighted. Because of this, there is no officially confirmed formula for predicting exactly when one person will move above another.
What We Know About Best Friends Activity
- Snaps and Chats are central to Best Friends.
- You can have up to eight Best Friends.
- The list updates regularly.
- Your ranking can change over time.
- Snapchat does not publish the exact scoring formula.

1. Snaps Sent and Received:
Snapchat specifically describes Best Friends as the people you Snap and Chat with the most. The company does not explain how individual Snaps or Chats are weighted.
2. Chat Frequency:
Chatting also plays an important role in ranking. When you talk to someone daily or regularly, Snapchat sees that as strong interaction. Longer or ongoing chats help more than short or rare messages.
3. Two-Way Interaction vs One-Way:
Snapchat does not publicly disclose whether two-way interaction receives a specific ranking advantage, so there is no confirmed formula for this.
4. Recency of Interactions:
Your Best Friends list can change over time, but Snapchat does not publish an exact update formula or timeframe.
5. Snapstreak Influence:
A Snapstreak shows that two people have exchanged Snaps consistently, but Snapchat does not officially state that a particular streak length guarantees a higher Best Friends position.
Can You Become Someone’s #1 Best Friend on Snapchat?
Yes, you can become someone’s #1 Best Friend on Snapchat, but there is no shortcut or guaranteed trick to make it happen instantly. Snapchat automatically updates Best Friends based on your activity. Snapchat says Best Friends are the people you Snap and Chat with the most.
To improve your ranking:
- Send Snaps regularly instead of only chatting occasionally.
- Reply to the other person’s Snaps consistently.
- Keep two-way conversations active, as mutual interaction is more valuable than one-sided activity.
- Stay active over several days instead of sending many Snaps at once.
Some users search for ways to become someone’s #1 Best Friend in a few minutes, but Snapchat does not work that way. Rankings change gradually based on your recent interactions and communication patterns.

Difference Between Free Snapchat and Snapchat+:
Feature | Free Snapchat | Snapchat+ |
|---|---|---|
Best Friends list size | Up to 8 friends | Extended list |
Visibility of ranking changes | Limited | More clear |
Extra insights | Not available | Available |
Understanding Ranking Movement with the Extended List:
With the extended list, users can better understand why someone moves up or down. It shows changes more clearly instead of making them feel sudden. This helps users see that ranking changes are based on activity, not on removing or adding friends.
How Long Does It Take to Become Best Friends on Snapchat?
Snapchat does not publish an official timeframe for becoming Best Friends. The time depends on how frequently both people interact with each other through Snaps and Chats.
There is no official timeframe. Snapchat does not say how many days, Snaps, or Chats are required for someone to become a Best Friend. The timing can vary depending on your activity and your existing Best Friends list. Snapchat does not say how many days or how many Snaps/Chats are required for someone to become a Best Friend. The timing can vary depending on your activity and your existing Best Friends list.
Instead of counting the number of Snaps you send, Snapchat looks at your overall interaction history. Regular communication over time is more important than sending many messages in a short period.
Do Chats Count Towards Snapchat Best Friends Ranking?
Yes, Chats can contribute to your Snapchat Best Friends ranking. While Snapchat has never revealed its exact ranking algorithm, regular conversations are considered one of the signals that help determine your closest friends.
However, Chats alone may not be enough. Snapchat also considers other interactions, including:
- Snaps sent and received
- Recent activity
Using both Snaps and Chats consistently is generally more effective than relying on only one type of interaction.
Do Voice or Video Calls Affect Best Friends Ranking?
Snapchat has not officially confirmed whether voice or video calls directly affect Best Friends rankings. However, calls are part of your overall communication on the platform and may contribute to your interaction history.
Most users notice that regular Snaps and Chats have a much greater influence on Best Friends rankings than occasional calls. If your goal is to move someone higher on your Best Friends list, focus on consistent two-way Snaps and conversations rather than relying on calls alone.
What Snapchat Does Not Confirm About Best Friends Ranking?
Snapchat does not publish a complete list of every action that does or does not affect Best Friends ranking. For example, Snapchat’s public documentation focuses on Snaps and Chats, but it does not provide a complete scoring formula or weighting system. Therefore, claims that specific actions such as Story views, profile visits, or calls definitely have zero effect should be treated cautiously unless Snapchat confirms them.
Why Best Friends ranking changes?
Snapchat updates the Best Friends list regularly based on your activity. If you start snapping or chatting more with one person, their ranking can increase quickly. At the same time, less interaction with another friend can move them down the list. Your Best Friends list can change as your activity changes. Snapchat says the list is updated regularly, but it doesn’t publish a specific update interval. This is normal and happens automatically. The list reflects recent activity, not long-term relationships.

Common Myths About Snapchat Best Friends:
There are many wrong ideas about how Snapchat Best Friends work. These myths often cause confusion and overthinking. Below are some common myths explained in simple words.
Ranking Is Permanent
Many users think once someone becomes a Best Friend, they stay there forever. In reality, the ranking keeps changing based on daily activity. If interaction drops, the ranking can change anytime.
One Snap Changes the List
Some believe sending one snap can change the entire Best Friends list. This is not true because Snapchat looks at regular activity over time. One snap alone does not affect ranking much.
Others Can See Your List
Many people think their Best Friends list is visible to others. Snapchat keeps this list private, and only you can see your own Best Friends.
Secret Number of Snaps You Need
There is no officially published number of Snaps or Chats required to become someone’s Best Friend.
Conclusion:
Snapchat Best Friends are determined automatically based on your activity with other users. Snapchat confirms that Best Friends are the people you Snap and Chat with the most, but it does not publish the exact formula used to rank them. Your list can therefore change over time as your Snapchat activity changes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Does Snapchat Calculate Best Friends?
Snapchat calculates your Best Friends list by analyzing how often and how recently you interact with other users. Although the company has never shared its exact algorithm, several factors appear to influence the rankings, including:
Snaps sent and received
Chat activity
Two-way conversations
Recent interactions
Consistent communication over time
The people you interact with the most usually move higher on your Best Friends list. Because rankings update automatically, your Best Friends can change whenever your communication patterns change.
Can You Become Someone’s #1 Best Friend in 5 Minutes?
No. There is no legitimate way to become someone’s #1 Best Friend on Snapchat in just five minutes. Snapchat updates Best Friends rankings based on ongoing interactions rather than a single burst of activity. Consistently exchanging Snaps and Chats over time is the most reliable way to improve your ranking.


