What is Snapchat’s best friends algorithm?
Snapchat’s best friends algorithm determines the order of users in your best friends list on the app. It analyzes your snap sending and receiving patterns with other users to figure out who your closest friends on Snapchat are. The best friends list shows the users you interact with the most at the top.
How does the Snapchat best friends algorithm work?
The Snapchat best friends algorithm is based on several factors:
Snap frequency
The number of snaps you send back and forth with a user is a key factor. If you frequently snap with a friend, the algorithm will place them higher in your best friends list. Sending more snaps and chatting more often with a friend will boost their ranking.
Recency of snaps
How recently you snapped with a user also matters. Friends you’ve snapped with more recently are prioritized by the algorithm over those you haven’t snapped in a while. Frequently snapping with a friend over a short period of time can quickly move them up your best friends list.
Length of snaps
Sending longer videos and images to each other seems to be given more weight than quick snaps by the algorithm. Having longer, deeper conversations through Snapchat with a friend makes the app register them as a closer friend than those you just send random snaps.
Two-way interaction
The algorithm favors reciprocal communication over one-sided relationships. So friends who snap you back frequently and keep the conversation flowing both ways will rank higher than those who just view your stories or rarely reply.
Chat frequency
Chatting via text through Snapchat also helps boost a friend’s best friend algorithm ranking. Having conversations through chat shows the app you have a closer, more personal relationship with them.
Other factors that influence the Snapchat best friends algorithm
Beyond those key metrics, Snapchat’s algorithm also seems to take into account some secondary factors:
Emojis and reactions
Frequently reacting to each other’s snaps and chat messages with emojis apparently gives a minor boost in the algorithm. This signifies you have deeper engagement with the friend.
Snapstreaks
Having long snapstreaks with a friend indicates an ongoing, consistent relationship which the algorithm rewards slightly. But snapstreaks seem to be given less weight than overall snap frequency and recency.
Low notification settings
If you have minimized notifications turned on for a friend, it may negatively impact their best friend ranking somewhat as it signifies less interest in their snaps. But this factor seems minor compared to actual snap activity.
Platform usage
The algorithm may also consider how actively you and your friends use Snapchat. Those who use it daily and send more total snaps have a better chance of ranking higher than friends who rarely open the app.
Does sending and opening snaps affect your best friends score?
Yes, both sending and opening snaps are used by the algorithm. Just viewing a friend’s snap without replying can still boost their ranking, but not as much as if you send a snap back. The most points seem to come from a full back-and-forth conversation with snaps sent by both sides.
Does reply time matter?
How quickly you open and reply to a friend’s snaps doesn’t seem to directly impact your best friends score. The algorithm cares more about overall snap frequency than specific reply times. However, replying faster can lead to more snaps sent back and forth, which will improve your ranking.
Do Snapchat groups impact your best friends list?
Snaps sent in group chats aren’t counted by the algorithm and don’t affect your best friends list. Only one-on-one communication matters for your ranking. Group chats aren’t factored in as the app can’t distinguish who you’re closest with in the group.
Does Snapchat story viewing count for best friends?
Simply viewing a friend’s story does not affect the Snapchat best friends algorithm. Only direct snaps sent between two users are counted. With stories, there’s no reciprocal interaction to gauge closeness. But replying to someone’s story does register as engagement.
How often does the Snapchat best friends list update?
Snapchat refreshes its best friends algorithm and ranking list multiple times per day. Any snaps sent between friends are quickly incorporated into the calculations. Significant changes in your snap patterns with someone will be reflected within 24 hours.
Can you cheat or game the Snapchat best friends algorithm?
There are some questionable techniques people attempt to boost a friend’s ranking, but Snapchat tries to detect and prevent gaming of the system. Blatantly manipulative tactics like sending hundreds of snaps in a row or two accounts snapping each other constantly are likely ineffective. The algorithm incorporates safeguards and weighting to avoid unnatural boosting. Genuine, organic engagement seems to be the best way to improve your standing.
Why can your top best friend change so quickly?
Since Snapchat calculates the ranking frequently, your top best friend can change often based on daily snap activity. Someone you snap with a lot one day may get bumped down if you don’t communicate as much the next day. Recency gives greater weight to your most recent interactions. So your top friends rotate quickly as your daily habits change.
Does someone’s best friend score ever decrease?
Yes, as your snap patterns evolve, friends can move down your best friends list or even drop off entirely. If you stop snapping someone for a while, their ranking will slowly decay over time. And if your interactions are limited to just viewing their public story, their score may decrease to zero. Maintaining a high score requires constant, ongoing communication.
Can you remove someone from your Snapchat best friends list?
There is no direct way to manually remove or demote someone from your best friends list, as it’s automatically generated by Snapchat’s algorithm. But you can indirectly influence it by reducing your snaps and interactions with that friend. If you stop engaging with them frequently, their ranking will gradually diminish. Eventually they may drop off the list entirely if your communication remains minimal for long enough.
Why can some friends skip your best friends list entirely?
In some cases, a friend you snap regularly may inexplicably disappear from your best friends list. This can happen if the algorithm detects your relationship has become significantly one-sided. For example, if they never snap you back and only view your stories, their score may plummet to zero. Maintaining two-way communication is key for both sides to appear on each other’s lists.
Who can see your Snapchat best friends list?
Your Snapchat best friends are private and can only be viewed by you. No other users can see who appears on your best friends list. It’s designed to be an internal gauge of your closest Snapchat relationships, not a publicly viewable ranking. Friends on your list have no way of knowing their position or that they’re featured at all.
Can you see someone else’s best friends list on Snapchat?
There is currently no way to view another person’s Snapchat best friends. The list is personal to each user’s account based on their unique snap habits and engagement. Even if you’re #1 best friends with someone, you can’t see their full list or where you rank on it. Some users wish Snapchat had a mutual best friends feature, but it remains private.
Why can’t you see other people’s best friends lists?
Snapchat intentionally keeps best friends lists private to protect users’ privacy and prevent unfair comparisons. Public lists could breed jealousy, competition, and hurt feelings if friends realize they rank lower than others. Keeping the rankings hidden reduces social pressure and judgement, so you can focus on your closest connections without worrying about where exactly you stand.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s secret best friends algorithm aims to capture your closest relationships on the app. While the exact formula remains a mystery, frequency, recency and reciprocity of snaps seem to be the driving factors that determine the ranking. The list updates often to reflect changes in your daily snap habits. While you can’t manually alter your best friends, keeping in touch with those you care about most will ensure your list accurately reflects your bonds.