How to Remove a Best Friend on Snapchat: The Ultimate Guide

Removing a Snapchat Best Friend isn’t quite as straightforward as hitting a “delete” button. Snapchat’s algorithm determines your best friends based on interaction frequency, meaning you can’t directly eliminate someone from that list. However, fret not, savvy Snapchatter! You can strategically manipulate the system to effectively kick someone off your coveted Best Friends list. This guide details exactly how to do it, along with answers to all your burning questions.

Understanding the Snapchat Best Friends Algorithm

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s understand the “why.” Snapchat’s Best Friends feature highlights the people you interact with most often. This isn’t just about sending the most snaps; it includes receiving snaps, chats, and video calls. The algorithm is complex and changes periodically, but consistent interaction is the key driver. Knowing this is vital to manipulating the system to achieve your desired results. Think of it like a high-stakes social chess game; understanding the rules is half the battle.

The Indirect Approach: Influencing the Algorithm

Since there’s no direct “remove” button, the trick is to reduce your interaction with the person you want to remove and increase interaction with others. This will gradually shift the algorithm’s perception of your closest connections. Here’s a breakdown of the strategy:

Step 1: Minimize Interaction with the Target

• Reduce Snaps: Stop sending snaps to the person you want to remove. This is the most crucial step.
• Limit Chatting: Avoid starting conversations with them. If they initiate, keep the responses brief and infrequent.
• Ignore Stories: Don’t view their stories or react to them. Engagement, even passive, contributes to the algorithm.
• Avoid Video Calls: Video calls are weighted heavily in the algorithm, so abstain from initiating or accepting them.

Step 2: Increase Interaction with Others

• Snap Everyone Else: Flood your friends list with snaps. Send a variety of snaps to different people.
• Engage in Group Chats: Participate actively in group chats to signal to the algorithm that you’re engaging with a wider circle.
• View More Stories: Actively watch and react to the stories of people you want to potentially replace your unwanted Best Friend with.
• Prioritize Frequent Snappers: Focus on snapping those who consistently snap you back. Reciprocal snapping is highly valued.

Step 3: The Waiting Game

This isn’t an instant process. It takes time for the algorithm to recalibrate. Be patient and consistent with your strategy. The timeframe can vary depending on how frequently you interacted with the person initially. Typically, you might start seeing changes within a few days to a couple of weeks. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t happen overnight.

Alternative Tactics: The Nuclear Option (Use with Caution)

While the above method is the most common and recommended, here are a couple of more drastic options, but be warned, they might have unforeseen consequences:

Blocking and Unblocking

Blocking someone will completely erase your interaction history with them on Snapchat. Unblocking them later doesn’t restore that history. While this might seem like a quick fix, it can be obvious to the other person and could damage your friendship. Use this option only as a last resort, and be prepared for potential fallout.

Deleting and Re-Adding

Similar to blocking, deleting someone as a friend removes them from your list and clears your interaction history. Re-adding them later starts your connection anew. Again, this is a noticeable action and should be reserved for situations where subtler methods haven’t worked and you’re comfortable with the possibility of awkwardness.

A Word of Caution: Snapchat Streaks

Be mindful of Snapchat Streaks. If you have an active streak with the person you’re trying to remove as a Best Friend, suddenly stopping the streak will be a clear indicator that you’re intentionally reducing contact. Consider whether preserving the streak is more important than removing them from your Best Friends list. You can always subtly break the streak by sending late or bland snaps.

The Ethical Considerations

Before embarking on your Best Friend removal mission, consider the ethical implications. Are you trying to avoid someone because they’ve done something wrong? Or are you simply shifting your social circle? Be honest with yourself about your motivations and the potential impact on the other person’s feelings. Sometimes, a direct conversation is a better approach than manipulative tactics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many Best Friends can I have on Snapchat?

Snapchat typically displays three Best Friends publicly, but the algorithm tracks a larger number internally. Some users have reported seeing more than three best friends under the ‘Friends’ section.

2. How often does Snapchat update the Best Friends list?

The Best Friends list updates dynamically based on your recent interactions. There’s no set schedule; it changes as your communication patterns evolve.

3. Can someone tell if I’m trying to remove them as a Best Friend?

They might suspect something if you drastically reduce communication or start snapping others much more frequently. However, unless you use the blocking/deleting method, it’s not immediately obvious.

4. Will deleting my Snapchat account reset the Best Friends list?

Yes, deleting your account will completely wipe your data, including the Best Friends list. However, this is a drastic measure and should only be considered if you genuinely want to close your account.

5. Does location sharing affect the Best Friends algorithm?

While Snapchat hasn’t explicitly confirmed this, it’s plausible that location sharing data could indirectly influence the algorithm. Frequent interactions in the same location might suggest a closer connection.

6. What is the difference between “Best Friends” and “Mutual Besties”?

Best Friends are the people you snap most often. Mutual Besties are the people who are also best friends with someone on your best friend list. Seeing “Mutual Besties” indicates that you and your best friend share another close connection.

7. Does Snapchat prioritize certain types of snaps (photo vs. video)?

While the exact weighting isn’t public knowledge, it’s generally believed that video snaps and video calls carry more weight than simple photo snaps in the Best Friends algorithm.

8. Can using Snapchat on multiple devices affect the Best Friends list?

Using Snapchat on multiple devices shouldn’t directly affect the Best Friends list, as your account data is synchronized across devices. However, if you interact with different people on different devices, it could indirectly influence the algorithm.

9. How does Snapchat handle inactive accounts when determining Best Friends?

Inactive accounts likely have minimal impact on the algorithm. If someone stops using Snapchat, they’ll eventually fade from your Best Friends list due to lack of interaction.

10. Can I pay to change my Best Friends list?

No, there’s no legitimate way to pay to alter your Best Friends list. Any service claiming to offer this is likely a scam.

11. Is there a way to see a complete list of everyone I’ve ever snapped?

No, Snapchat doesn’t provide a comprehensive history of all your past snaps.

12. What if the person I want to remove keeps snapping me?

This can make things tricky. You’ll need to resist the urge to reciprocate. Avoid opening their snaps, or if you do, keep your replies extremely brief and infrequent. The key is to minimize your contribution to the interaction.