If you have ever wondered what the gold heart or fire emoji next to someone’s name means on Snapchat, you’re not alone. These symbols aren’t random — they show the status of your digital relationships and reveal how often and how deeply you interact with friends.
Understanding Snapchat emojis is like having a cheat sheet for your own social life. Even when you’re just browsing this website to unwind with some interactive games, it’s still all about building connections that keep you coming back.
Why Snapchat Uses Emojis for Friendship Tracking
The social media platform doesn’t show follower counts or “likes” like other channels. Instead, it uses emojis to reflect how you and your friends interact. Think of it as an invisible algorithm that quietly keeps tabs on who you’re closest to based on Snaps sent and received. Increased snapping builds a stronger emoji relationship.
This approach adds a playful, gamified element to friendships. It appeals to the natural curiosity about how digital relationships compare and evolve.
Emoji Breakdown: What Each One Means
Here’s a quick guide to the platform’s most common emojis and what they signify:
- Gold heart: It means you and this person snap each other more than anyone else. It’s mutual, and you’re each other’s top priority on the app.
- Red heart: You’ve kept that gold heart status going for two full weeks. This shows dedication with consistent Snaps and a lot of mutual effort.
- Pink hearts: Two months of being each other’s number one. It’s not merely a streak; it’s a Snapchat soul tie.
- Sunglasses face: You and this friend both snap the same person a lot. It’s the emoji version of “small world.”
- Fire: You both have snapped each other every day for at least three days. The number next to it shows how long you’ve kept it going.
- Hourglass: It means that either you or your friend (or both) haven’t sent a Snap in the last 24 hours.
- Baby: You’ve just added this person as a friend. This marks the start of your Snapchat journey together.
- Grimacing face: Both of you have the same top best friend. It might be slightly awkward, but it’s all love.
Knowing these symbols helps you understand your Snapchat relationships better and makes the app more fun to use.
Your Snap Style as Told by Emojis
Your emoji list is basically a mirror. Do you see lots of pink hearts and flames? You’re probably big on consistency and digital connection. A list full of babies and hourglasses? Maybe you’re more casual with your interactions, or just starting to explore your friend list.
Some people aim to build streaks as a way to stay close, while others let them fade without worry. Still, these symbols tell a story about who you engage with most — even if you don’t realize it.
How to Change (or Maintain) Your Emojis
Want to keep your hearts or start a Snapstreak? It all comes down to consistency and the right interactions. Here’s how to control your status:
- Daily Snap exchanges between you and your friend keep the fire emoji alive. Skipping a day breaks the streak.
- To make someone your #1 best friend, snap them more than anyone else over several days.
- If you don’t like the default symbols, go to Settings → Customize Emojis to change them.
Holding onto pink hearts or mixing it up, the social media platform values the effort you put into your digital bond.
Common Misconceptions About Snapchat Emojis
“The Gold Heart Means We’re Dating”
Not necessarily! The gold heart simply means that you and this person snap each other more than anyone else. It’s a sign of frequent interaction on the app, but it doesn’t imply a romantic relationship. Many friendships earn the gold heart without any romance involved.
“Snapstreak = Best Friend Forever”
Not quite. A Snapstreak means you’ve exchanged Snaps for consecutive days, but it doesn’t always reflect how close you are. You can have a long streak with someone you rarely talk to outside the app.
“You Can Fake Emojis by Texting”
No, emojis on this platform are earned by sending real Snaps, like photos or videos. This means you can’t boost your status just by chatting. It depends on Snap exchanges and reflects your activity on Snapchat in a genuine way.
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Andrew is a content writer with a background in news, tech, and social trends. He primarily covers mobile apps, social media and the latest in digital culture. Actually he loves exploring new apps and staying on top of what’s trending online.