Snapchat, the popular social media platform known for its disappearing photos and videos, introduced an algorithm in 2018 that determines your best friends. This update sparked mixed reactions, with many users expressing their dissatisfaction. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of Snapchat’s best friends list, how it works, and how you can control it.
Understanding the Snapchat Best Friends List Order
The order of your Snapchat best friends list depends on various factors, including the number of interactions, the type of content shared, and the frequency of communication. Contrary to popular belief, the list does not go from left to right or across. Instead, it follows a top-down pattern.
How the Best Friends List Order Works
Snapchat organizes your best friends list based on the people you interact with the most. The more snaps, multimedia messages, and conversations you have with someone, the higher they will rank on your list. However, the list is not solely determined by your interactions. It also takes into account factors such as streaks and recent conversations.
Decoding the Snapchat Best Friends List Order
Your top four best friends will appear on the left column of the list, while the next four will be on the right column. The person at the top left is your highest-ranked best friend, while the one at the bottom right is your least-ranked best friend. The order within each column follows a top-down arrangement, with the people you interact with most frequently appearing at the top.
Factors That Influence the Snapchat Best Friends List Order
To better understand how Snapchat determines the order of your best friends list, let’s explore the key factors that play a role.
1. The Amount of Red Snaps You Send
Red snaps, which indicate photos or videos that have been viewed, hold more weight in determining your best friends. If you consistently send more red snaps to a particular person than to others, they are likely to rank higher on your list. Snapchat’s emphasis on red snaps stems from its early days when communication solely revolved around this feature.
2. The Amount of Multimedia You Send
Snapchat considers the volume of multimedia content shared as another important factor. This includes voice notes, pictures from your camera roll, stickers, and, of course, red snaps. Communicating through multimedia is seen as more interactive, leading Snapchat to prioritize these interactions in the best friends list order.
3. How Many People You Talk To
The number of people you interact with on Snapchat also influences your best friends list. If you have limited interactions with only a few individuals, they are likely to appear on your list since they are the ones you communicate with the most. Conversely, if you engage with a larger number of people, the ones you talk to frequently will find their way onto your best friends list.
4. How Often You Reply to Each Other’s Stories
Mutual interaction through story replies is another significant factor in determining best friends. If you and another user consistently reply to each other’s stories, Snapchat recognizes this as a strong connection and prioritizes that person on your best friends list. This feature encourages engagement and fosters closer relationships within the Snapchat community.
5. Streaks
Streaks, a feature introduced in 2015, indicate a continuous exchange of snaps between two users for consecutive days. Having a streak with someone elevates their position on your best friends list. The presence of a fire emoji next to their name signifies an active streak, reinforcing their status as one of your best friends.
6. How Recently You’ve Spoken
Snapchat also takes into account the recency of your interactions. Those you have spoken to most recently will appear higher on your best friends list. This prioritization aligns with the notion that frequent communication indicates a closer relationship.
Who Are Your Best Friends on Snapchat?
Snapchat’s algorithm analyzes all your interactions within the app to determine your best friends. These best friends are not necessarily your closest friends in real life; rather, they are the individuals you engage with most frequently on Snapchat. Identifying your best friends is easy, as they are indicated by an emoticon next to their username in your friends list.
Benefits of Identifying Your Best Friends
Knowing your best friends on Snapchat offers several advantages. Firstly, they appear at the top of your “Send To” list, making it convenient to communicate with them. Additionally, Snapchat regularly updates your best friends list, allowing you to track who you have been interacting with the most on the app.
Changing Your Best Friends on Snapchat
While Snapchat does not provide a direct option to remove someone from your best friends list, you can influence the algorithm to prioritize other individuals instead. By decreasing your interactions with a specific person and increasing interactions with others, you can prompt Snapchat to adjust your best friends list accordingly.
The Trick to Altering Your Best Friends List
To change your best friends list, focus on interacting more frequently with the individuals you want to prioritize. Gradually reduce your interactions with the person you wish to remove from your list. Over time, Snapchat’s algorithm will recognize the shift in your preferences and update your best friends list accordingly.
Making Someone Your Best Friend on Snapchat
Unlike other social networking platforms, Snapchat does not offer a simple button to make someone your best friend. Instead, the process involves consistent and frequent interaction with the desired individual. After approximately two to three days of regular interaction, Snapchat will recognize the connection and designate them as your best friend, indicated by an emoticon next to their name.
Levels of Best Friends
Snapchat offers different levels of best friends based on the intensity of your interactions. For instance, if you maintain a daily streak with a person for an extended period, you can achieve the “Super BFF” level. Continuing to interact with this individual will solidify their position as your best friend, while the presence of a snap streak emoticon reinforces the connection.
Are Snapchat Best Friends Mutual?
Being someone’s best friend on Snapchat does not automatically make them your best friend as well. To determine if you are on someone’s best friends list, look for a heart emoji next to your name in their friends list. The presence of this emoji indicates mutual recognition as best friends.
Privacy of Your Best Friends List
With the “New Snapchat” update, the list of your best friends on Snapchat is now private. Previously, it was visible to others, but the update prioritized user privacy. Many users appreciate this change, as it allows them to maintain confidentiality regarding their closest connections on the platform.
Conclusion
Understanding how Snapchat’s best friends list works empowers users to navigate the app more effectively. By analyzing factors such as red snaps, multimedia interactions, the number of people you talk to, story replies, streaks, and recency of conversations, Snapchat determines the order of your best friends list. Identifying your best friends and controlling your list can enhance your Snapchat experience. Keep in mind that the algorithm is dynamic and continuously adapts to your interactions. Embrace the power to shape your best friends list and make the most of your connections on Snapchat.
