What Does “Friends” Mean on Snapchat Plus? Unlocking the Nuances

Let’s cut to the chase: on Snapchat Plus, the meaning of “Friends” is essentially the same as it is on the standard Snapchat platform. It refers to the people you’ve mutually added as connections, meaning you both have each other in your respective friend lists. However, Snapchat Plus layers on extra features that subtly enhance your interactions with these friends, giving you more insight and control over your relationship within the app. While the core definition remains the same, the experience is undeniably amplified for paying subscribers.

Understanding the Core of Snapchat Friendships

The Foundation: Mutual Connection

At its heart, a “Friend” on Snapchat, whether you’re a Snapchat Plus subscriber or not, signifies a mutual agreement to connect. It’s not enough for you to add someone; they must also add you back. This creates a two-way street, allowing you to send them Snaps, chat with them, see their Stories (if they’ve set their privacy settings to allow it), and interact with their Bitmoji on the Snap Map (again, if they’ve enabled location sharing). This foundation of mutual connection is the bedrock of all Snapchat interactions.

Standard Features Available to All

Even without Snapchat Plus, you can already do quite a bit with your friends. You can send them disappearing photos and videos, engage in text-based chats, start video calls, and share your location (optionally). The core functionalities of Snapchat are available to all users, regardless of their subscription status. Think of it as the basic toolkit for digital friendship.

Snapchat Plus: Amplifying the “Friends” Experience

Snapchat Plus doesn’t fundamentally change who your friends are. Instead, it enhances how you interact with them and provides additional insights into your friendships. This is where the subtle but significant differences lie.

Ghost Trails: Knowing When They’ve Been Around

One of the key features that separates Snapchat Plus from the standard version is Ghost Trails on the Snap Map. This allows you to see where your friends have been recently (provided they’ve enabled location sharing, of course). This feature can be a fun way to see if you’ve crossed paths with someone or to get a glimpse into their daily routines. It adds a layer of awareness that isn’t available to non-subscribers.

Best Friends Forever? Not Necessarily…

Snapchat Plus also introduces features that help you manage your Best Friends list more effectively. While the algorithm for determining who appears on this list remains largely opaque, Snapchat Plus subscribers have access to features like Best Friends Forever (BFF). This allows you to pin one friend to the top of your chat list, regardless of how frequently you interact with them. This is a powerful tool for prioritizing your most cherished connections.

Story Management and Rewatch Count

Snapchat Plus grants you the ability to see how many times a friend has rewatched your story. This provides valuable insights into which of your friends are most engaged with your content. While this data might seem superficial, it can be helpful in understanding your audience and tailoring your future Snaps accordingly.

Custom App Icons and Themes

While not directly related to the definition of “friends,” Snapchat Plus allows you to customize your app icon and theme. This adds a personal touch to your Snapchat experience and allows you to express your individuality, often in ways that might resonate with your friends.

Decoding the Nuances: It’s About Enhanced Interaction

Ultimately, “Friends” on Snapchat Plus signifies the same core relationship as on the standard platform: a mutual connection. However, Snapchat Plus elevates this connection through features that offer more insights, control, and personalization. It’s not about changing who your friends are, but rather about enriching how you interact with them within the Snapchat ecosystem. It’s about taking your digital friendships to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about “Friends” on Snapchat Plus

1. Does Snapchat Plus give me more friends?

No, Snapchat Plus does not automatically add friends to your list. It simply enhances the features you already have for interacting with your existing friends. You still need to send and receive friend requests to grow your network.

2. Can non-Snapchat Plus users see that I have Snapchat Plus and am using its features on them?

It depends. Features like custom app icons are only visible to you. However, features like seeing who rewatched your story are, by their nature, implied to the viewer. They won’t know explicitly that you have Plus, but they might suspect it if you mention something like, “I saw you rewatched my story three times!”.

3. Does Snapchat Plus allow me to see who unfriended me?

Unfortunately, Snapchat Plus doesn’t offer a direct feature to notify you when someone unfriends you. There are third-party apps that claim to do this, but using them can violate Snapchat’s terms of service and put your account at risk.

4. What does the “Friend Solar System” feature do in relation to my friends?

The Friend Solar System feature, available with Snapchat Plus, assigns each of your friends a planet based on your friendship. Each planet corresponds to a certain level of friendship. The feature is not about who they are, but instead symbolizes the strength of your connection with each friend.

5. Does Snapchat Plus let me see a friend’s location even if they haven’t shared it with me?

No, Snapchat Plus does not override privacy settings. If a friend hasn’t enabled location sharing on the Snap Map, you won’t be able to see their location, even with a Snapchat Plus subscription. Privacy remains paramount.

6. How do I add a friend on Snapchat?

You can add friends on Snapchat in several ways: by searching for their username, scanning their Snapcode, adding them from your phone’s contacts (if they’ve linked their phone number to their Snapchat account), or by using the “Add Nearby” feature.

7. What’s the difference between “Friends” and “Mutual Friends” on Snapchat?

“Friends” are the people you’ve mutually added on Snapchat. “Mutual Friends” refers to the friends you have in common with another Snapchat user. This information is sometimes displayed when viewing another user’s profile.

8. Can I hide my “Best Friends” list from other Snapchat users?

No, Snapchat doesn’t offer a direct way to hide your “Best Friends” list. However, the list is personalized to each user, meaning that what you see as your “Best Friends” list will be different from what your friends see.

9. If I block someone on Snapchat, are they still considered a “Friend”?

No, blocking someone on Snapchat removes them from your friends list and prevents them from contacting you. They will no longer be able to see your Snaps or chat with you.

10. Can I create a “Friends” group on Snapchat?

Yes, you can create groups on Snapchat to easily send Snaps and chat with multiple friends simultaneously. This is a great way to stay connected with a specific group of people.

11. Does Snapchat Plus change the way my Snapstreaks work with my friends?

No, Snapchat Plus does not directly alter how Snapstreaks function. However, the BFF pin feature might indirectly help you maintain streaks with your closest friends by keeping their chats at the top of your list.

12. How do I report a friend on Snapchat?

If a friend is violating Snapchat’s Community Guidelines or making you feel unsafe, you can report them. To do this, go to their profile, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, and select “Report.”