Snapchat has switched the social media game, especially for Gen Z. A highly loveable feature here is the Best Friends list, which displays the people you snap and chat with the most. While it was introduced to enhance user engagement, it also impacts real-life friendships. The Best Friends list on Snapchat showcases the interaction and closeness between users. It’s a glimpse into the frequency of communication, letting users identify their closest connections.
On the one hand, this feature can reinforce and strengthen existing friendships. It provides validation and recognition, as being listed as a Best Friend shows significant engagement and trust.
However, it has also introduced a layer of complexity and potential strain. It can create feelings of exclusion and jealousy among friends. Seeing a close friend’s name absent from one’s own Best Friends list can lead to feelings of insecurity. Being excluded from someone’s list leaves people feeling overlooked or undervalued.
The public nature of the list adds further complications. Friends who aren’t included might question it, leading to misunderstandings and potential rifts. The pressure to maintain a position on someone’s Best Friends list also drives some to engage excessively or insincerely solely to maintain/improve their ranking.
However, we must understand that the Best Friends list is just one aspect of Snapchat, and friendships are complex. Real-life friendships are built on experiences, trust, support, and emotional connections beyond the digital realm. Maintain open communication to address any concerns or insecurities that arise from Snapchat’s features.
To eliminate any potential negative impacts of the Best Friends list, users should adopt a mindful approach to social media. This includes recognizing the online world doesn’t always reflect the true dynamics of friendships.
In today’s blog, we’ll discuss if DMs on Snapchat count towards best friends and hearts.
Do DMs in Snapchat Count Toward Best Friends and Hearts?
Let’s get straight to it: Do DMs on Snapchat count towards making someone your best friend on the platform and getting them a heart? The answer is yes; it does. If you’re an avid Snapchat user, you must’ve noticed that in the explanation of every best friend emoji, you’ll see the words “snap” and “chat” together.
For example, when someone’s your best friend on Snapchat, the platform explains it: “Best Friends are the friends you Snap and Chat with the most.” So, as you can see, chatting also significantly influences who becomes your best friend on Snapchat.
However, don’t get confused; chatting is at its place, and snapping in another. Chatting does not contribute to your snapstreak with someone, and neither does send someone an image from your gallery as a chat.
Don’t worry; we understand that all this information could overwhelm you. So, let’s start with the basics.
Here’s how the Best Friends list on Snapchat works
The Best Friends list on Snapchat is a curated selection of friends you frequently exchange snaps with. It is a representation of your closest connections and is visible to you and your friends. The list is updated based on the frequency and consistency of snap exchanges between you.
The algorithm considers various factors, like the number of snaps sent and received and the frequency of communication. However, the details aren’t publicly disclosed by Snapchat, adding an element of speculation to how users are selected for the list.
The Best Friends emojis represent the level of interaction and closeness between users. It consists of emojis appearing next to someone’s name in the Chat section. These visually represent your relationship with them based on mutual interaction.
Here are the different Best Friends emojis and what they signify:
- Yellow Heart: The Yellow Heart appears next to a friend’s name when you’re both each other’s #1 Best Friend or BFFs (Best Friend Forever). It indicates you and your friend have been consistently sending snaps and chats to each other.
- Red Heart: The Red Heart replaces the Yellow one when you’ve been each other’s #1 Best Friend for at least two weeks! This is a big indicator of a strong and enduring friendship or connection.
- Pink Hearts: When the Pink Hearts appear next to someone’s name, you and they have been each other’s #1 Best Friend for two consecutive months!
Best Friends emojis are only visible to you and the one you share the interaction with. They aren’t public or visible to other friends on Snapchat.
Also, Snapchat’s features and emojis evolve as the platform updates its functionalities. Therefore, it’s always good to stay informed about the latest updates provided by Snapchat.
How to remove someone from your Best Friends list?
Now, it’s quite natural to wonder if there’s a way to get someone off the list and another person on it. After all, Snapchat only allows for eight best friends, so things can often get tricky to manage.
Unfortunately, you don’t have an option to just get someone off your list. What you can do is either stop talking to them slowly and gradually remove them from your network or just block them.
While both these options work, the slow-and-steady nature of the first one often falls short for most people who’s rather make a clean cut. However, blocking someone out of the blue without warning is one of the cruelest things you could do, especially if you’re close to them.
So, it appears like you have a decision to make. You can ice them out for over a week or two, or you can block them.
The first method works better when you have someone to replace them with. That way, you can increase engagement with them while decreasing it with your old friend so that Snapchat has its work cut out.
In the end
As our blog has now reached its end, let us quickly wrap up all that we’ve discussed.
Snapchat’s Best Friends feature is a way to showcase close connections and enhance engagement on the platform. It’s an opportunity to deepen friendships and create a sense of belonging. However, it’s important to approach it with an understanding of its limitations and impacts on relationships.
DMs on Snapchat do count towards best friends and hearts, although admittedly, not as much as snaps. DMs do not contribute in any way towards snap streaks, and pictures from the gallery, which are sent as memories, also don’t count towards snapstreaks.
The Best Friends list on Snapchat is a favorite among Gen Z, but it can often complicate matters. So, before indulging wholeheartedly in this feature, it’s best to learn how it works.
If our blog has helped you understand how to proceed, we’re happy for you. If you’re going through a similar problem, let us know in the comments below, and we’ll do our best to help!
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