Snapchat’s Best Friends feature is a core part of the app’s social experience, allowing users to see their top connections highlighted with a coveted gold ring around their profile pictures. But what happens when you notice no gold ring around best friends on Snapchat? This can spark confusion, especially for avid users who track their closest connections. In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into why the gold ring might be missing, how Snapchat’s algorithm works, and actionable tips to restore that shiny badge of friendship. By the end, you’ll understand every nuance of Snapchat’s Best Friends system and how to navigate it like a pro.
Understanding Snapchat’s Best Friends Feature
Snapchat’s Best Friends feature ranks your top eight contacts based on interaction frequency, such as snaps, chats, and story views. These friends appear at the top of your chat and Send To screens, marked by a gold ring around their Bitmoji or profile picture. The gold ring signifies a mutual or significant connection, but its absence can indicate shifts in your snapping habits or your friend’s activity.
The Best Friends list is private, visible only to you, and updates dynamically based on Snapchat’s algorithm. This algorithm analyzes two-way communication over recent weeks, prioritizing recent interactions. If someone is on your Best Friends list but lacks the gold ring, it’s a signal that something has changed in your interaction patterns or their status on your list.
Key Points About Best Friends
- Top 8 Ranking: Snapchat limits Best Friends to eight contacts, reflecting your closest connections.
- Gold Ring Significance: Indicates a mutual or high-level friendship, typically within the top 8.
- Private List: Only you can see your Best Friends; friends cannot view your rankings.
- Dynamic Updates: The list recalculates monthly, but shifts can occur weekly based on activity.
Why Is There No Gold Ring Around Best Friends on Snapchat?
The absence of a gold ring around a best friend’s profile can stem from several factors tied to Snapchat’s algorithm and user behavior. Below, we break down the most common reasons with detailed explanations to help you pinpoint the cause.
1. They’re in Your Top 16, Not Top 8
Snapchat distinguishes between Best Friends (top 8) and Top Friends (top 16). Only the top 8 receive the gold ring. If a friend is in your top 16 but not your top 8, they won’t have the ring, even if you consider them a close connection. This often happens when you snap frequently with many people, pushing some friends out of the top 8.
Example: If you snap daily with 10 friends, only the top 8 based on interaction volume will have the gold ring. The remaining two, despite being close, fall into the top 16 and lack the ring.
2. One-Sided Snapping
If you snap a friend more than they snap you back, you might rank them as a Best Friend, but they may not rank you in their top 8. In this case, the gold ring may not appear because the connection isn’t mutual at the same level. Snapchat’s algorithm prioritizes two-way communication, so unbalanced snapping can lead to a missing ring.
Scenario: You send daily snaps to a friend, but they reply sporadically. They’re in your top 8, but you’re in their top 16, resulting in no gold ring on your end.
3. Recent Friend Addition
Snapchat’s algorithm takes time to calculate Best Friend status for newly added friends. If you’ve recently started snapping with someone, they may not yet qualify for the gold ring, even if you interact frequently. This delay ensures the algorithm accurately reflects long-term patterns.
Timeline: It can take a few weeks of consistent snapping for a new friend to earn the gold ring, depending on your overall activity.
4. Monthly Recalculation
Snapchat recalculates Best Friends lists once a month, though the exact date varies by user. If your snapping habits have changed—either you’ve reduced snaps with a friend or they’ve increased snaps with someone else—they may drop from your top 8, losing the gold ring. This recalculation reflects the past month’s activity, so recent changes may not immediately show.
Tip: Check your list periodically to spot shifts after the monthly update.
5. Not Enough Best Friends
If you have fewer than eight Best Friends, Snapchat may assign gold rings to your top friends until you reach the limit. Once you hit eight, the rings are reserved for the top 8, and others lose the ring. This is common for users with smaller friend circles or less frequent snapping.
Case Study: A user with five close friends sees gold rings on all five. After adding three new friends and snapping more with them, only the top 8 retain the ring.
6. Snapchat+ and Solar System Feature
For Snapchat+ subscribers, the Friend Solar System feature adds complexity. This premium feature assigns planets (Mercury to Neptune) to your top 8 friends, with a gold ring around the “Best Friends” or “Friends” badge. If the gold ring appears but no planet is shown, it may indicate:
- You’re in their top 8, but they’ve disabled the Solar System feature.
- A glitch in the app, especially if both users have Snapchat+.
Note: The Solar System is off by default for new subscribers and must be manually enabled.
How Snapchat’s Algorithm Determines Best Friends
Snapchat’s Best Friends algorithm is a sophisticated system that evaluates multiple interaction metrics to rank your friends. Understanding how it works can clarify why the gold ring might be missing.
Algorithm Factors
- Snap Frequency: The number of snaps sent and received with a friend.
- Chat Activity: Text messages and voice/video calls contribute to rankings.
- Story Views: Viewing a friend’s stories or them viewing yours boosts interaction scores.
- Snapstreaks: Long streaks (consecutive days of snapping) heavily influence Best Friend status.
- Recency: Recent interactions carry more weight than older ones.
- Group Chats: Participation in group chats with a friend can impact rankings.
How Rankings Update
The algorithm updates in real-time but finalizes rankings during the monthly recalculation. If you snap more with a new friend, they may climb into your top 8, displacing someone else. Conversely, reduced activity with a current Best Friend can push them out, removing their gold ring.
How to Check Your Best Friends List
To confirm who’s on your Best Friends list and check for gold rings, follow these steps:
- Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top-left corner.
- Tap the smiley face icon next to your name or the settings icon.
- Select Best Friends to view your top 8.
- Scroll down to see your full list, including top 16 friends without gold rings.
Pro Tip: Long-press a friend’s name to view their profile and check for the “Best Friends” badge with a gold ring. If you’re a Snapchat+ user, tap the badge to see your planet ranking in their Solar System.
Tips to Restore the Gold Ring for Your Best Friends
If you’re disappointed about a missing gold ring, don’t worry—there are ways to boost your interactions and potentially bring it back. Here are actionable strategies to strengthen your Snapchat friendships.
1. Increase Snap Frequency
Send more snaps to the friend daily, including photos, videos, or quick replies. Encourage them to snap back to balance the interaction.
Example: Send a morning snap and a reply to their story to double your daily interactions.
2. Engage in Chats
Text messages count toward Best Friend status. Start conversations, reply promptly, and use voice or video calls for deeper engagement.
Hack: Use fun lenses or filters in chats to make interactions more engaging.
3. Maintain Snapstreaks
Keep a streak alive by snapping at least once every 24 hours. Long streaks (100+ days) significantly boost a friend’s ranking.
Reminder: Set a daily alarm to avoid breaking a streak, which could lower their rank.
4. View and Respond to Stories
Consistently view your friend’s stories and send a quick reaction or message. This signals active engagement to Snapchat’s algorithm.
Strategy: Long-press their name and select “View My Story” to prompt them to watch yours, increasing mutual interaction.
5. Reconnect with Less Active Friends
If a friend has dropped from your top 8, reach out to rekindle the connection. A week of consistent snapping can push them back up.
Approach: Send a nostalgic snap referencing a shared memory to spark a conversation.
6. Monitor Monthly Updates
Since Snapchat recalculates Best Friends monthly, ramp up interactions in the weeks leading up to your update. Check your list afterward to see if the gold ring returns.
Timeline: Expect changes around the same time each month, though Snapchat doesn’t disclose exact dates.
Snapchat+ and the Friend Solar System: What You Need to Know
For Snapchat+ subscribers, the Friend Solar System adds a playful twist to the Best Friends feature. Each of your top 8 friends is assigned a planet (Mercury to Neptune), with Mercury being your #1 friend. The gold ring around the “Best Friends” badge indicates a top 8 ranking, but issues like missing planets or rings can occur.
Common Snapchat+ Issues
- No Planet Displayed: If you see a gold ring but no planet, the friend may have disabled the Solar System feature or there’s a glitch.
- Non-Mutual Ranking: A “Friends” badge (no gold ring) means you’re in their top 8, but they’re not in yours.
- Feature Disabled: The Solar System is off by default and must be enabled in Snapchat+ settings.
How to Enable the Solar System
- Go to your profile and tap your Snapchat+ membership card.
- Select Friend Solar System and toggle it on.
- Check friend profiles to see your planet ranking.
Note: Snapchat disabled the Solar System by default in 2024 due to mental health concerns, but users can re-enable it manually.
Snapchat Emojis and Their Role in Best Friends
Snapchat uses emojis to highlight relationships on your Best Friends list, complementing the gold ring. Here’s a quick guide to common emojis and their meanings:
- 🌟 Gold Star: Someone replayed your snaps in the last 24 hours.
- 💛 Yellow Heart: You’re #1 Best Friends with this person.
- ❤️ Red Heart: You’ve been #1 Best Friends for two weeks.
- 🔥 Fire: You have a Snapstreak with this friend.
- 💯 One Hundred: Your streak has reached 100 days.
These emojis provide additional context about your friendship strength, helping you gauge why a gold ring might be missing.
Troubleshooting Missing Gold Rings
If the gold ring is still absent after increasing interactions, consider these troubleshooting steps:
- Update Snapchat: Ensure you’re using the latest app version to avoid glitches.
- Clear Cache: Go to Settings > Clear Cache to refresh the app’s data.
- Restart App: Close and reopen Snapchat to reset the interface.
- Contact Support: Reach out via https://support.snapchat.com/en-GB/i-need-help for persistent issues.
Why the Gold Ring Matters to Snapchat Users
For many Snapchatters, the gold ring is more than a visual cue—it’s a symbol of connection and status. Losing it can feel like a demotion in a friendship, especially for teens and young adults who value their Best Friends list. By understanding the algorithm and taking proactive steps, you can maintain those VIP connections and keep your list reflecting your closest pals.
Cultural Insight: The Best Friends feature gamifies friendships, adding a layer of fun but also pressure. Regular engagement ensures your list stays accurate and meaningful.
Final Thoughts: Keep Snapping to Stay Connected
The absence of a gold ring around a best friend on Snapchat doesn’t mean the friendship is over—it’s a nudge to reconnect and boost interactions. By snapping more, chatting regularly, and maintaining streaks, you can restore the ring and strengthen your bond. For Snapchat+ users, the Friend Solar System adds an extra dimension to explore, but the core principle remains: consistent engagement is key.
Ready to bring back those gold rings? Start snapping today and watch your Best Friends list shine. For more Snapchat tips, follow our guides on Snapchat Planets and algorithm updates to stay ahead in 2025.