5 Hidden Meanings: What Does The Star On Snapchat Really Mean In 2025?

The star symbol on Snapchat is one of the platform's most misunderstood and coveted badges. Unlike the simple blue checkmark on other social media platforms, Snapchat uses different star icons—in various colors and locations—to signify entirely different things, from a top-tier creator status to a premium subscription. As of today, December 11, 2025, understanding these subtle differences is crucial for navigating the app, whether you are trying to become a famous creator or just deciphering your friend's profile.

The most common and sought-after star is the yellow or gold star, which marks an account as a "Snap Star." This is Snapchat's official verification status, reserved for the platform's elite public figures and high-quality content creators. However, a newer black or white star badge has emerged, indicating a user is a premium subscriber to the Snapchat+ service, adding a layer of complexity to the symbol's meaning.

The Exclusive Gold Star: Decoding the Snap Star Verification

The gold or yellow star that appears next to a user's display name is the ultimate status symbol on the platform: the Snap Star badge. This is not a prize for having a high Snap Score or a long Snapstreak; it is a verification status that officially recognizes an account as a public figure or a highly influential content creator.

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The star confirms that the account is authentic and that the user is recognized for bringing some of the most engaging and entertaining content to the Snapchat community.

Who Qualifies to Be a Snap Star?

Gaining Snap Star status is a selective process, and Snapchat does not publish a single, rigid set of requirements. However, based on the platform's official guidelines and creator reports, eligibility is determined by a holistic evaluation of several key factors.

• Public Profile Requirement: The user must have a Public Profile enabled, which is the first step toward becoming a recognized creator.
• Account Engagement: The account must have accumulated a large and highly engaged audience. This is the most critical factor.
• High Story Views: While there is no official minimum follower count, creators who achieve Snap Star status often have at least 50,000+ Story views or subscribers. This high engagement rate demonstrates significant public presence.
• Content Quality and Adherence: The content must be high-quality, unique, and consistently adhere to Snapchat's Community Guidelines and Terms of Service.
• Cross-Platform Recognition: The account should ideally be a public figure or creator who is also well-known off-platform, such as a celebrity, athlete, or a major influencer on other social media platforms.

The Unrivaled Benefits of Snap Star Status

The gold star is more than just a badge; it unlocks a powerful suite of features and benefits designed to help creators monetize and expand their reach. This is why so many content creators strive for the verification.

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• Increased Distribution: Snap Star content receives priority distribution and is more likely to be featured across key areas of the app, including Public Stories, the Spotlight feed, and the Discover page.
• Monetization Perks: Snap Stars are eligible for various monetization opportunities, including revenue sharing from ads on their Public Stories and potential payouts from the Spotlight program.
• Audience Insights: Access to advanced analytics and audience insights to help the creator better understand their demographics and content performance.
• Exclusive Features: Snap Stars often get early access to new Snapchat features, Lenses, and tools before they are released to the general public.

The Black Star: What The Snapchat+ Badge Means

A second, distinct star symbol has gained prominence since the introduction of the premium subscription service, Snapchat+. This star is generally a black or white star-shaped badge that users can choose to display on their profile.

The black star simply means that the user is a paying subscriber to the premium Snapchat+ service. It acts as a subtle but stylish way for users to signal their premium status to their friends and the wider community.

Snapchat+ Features Tied to the Star

Subscribing to Snapchat+ unlocks a variety of exclusive features, making the star badge a sign of access to premium tools and cosmetic upgrades.

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• Friend Solar System: Subscribers can see where a friend ranks in their "solar system" of best friends, indicated by a badge with a gold ring on their Friendship Profile.
• Exclusive Icons and Themes: Access to unique app icons and profile themes.
• Pinning a BFF: The ability to pin a friend as your #1 Best Friend Forever (BFF) to quickly send Snaps or chat with them.
• Story Replay Indicators: The ability to see who has rewatched your story.

The black star badge is entirely optional for Snapchat+ subscribers. If you see a user with this badge, you know they are investing in the premium experience offered by the platform.

The Rare Gold Star Emoji: A Hidden Friendship Indicator

To further complicate the star symbology, there is a third, less-common meaning tied to a gold star emoji (⭐) that can appear in your Friends List, separate from the Snap Star verification badge. [cite: 17 in step 1]

When this specific gold star emoji appears next to a friend’s name, it indicates a momentary sign of popularity or engagement. Specifically, it means that someone other than you has replayed your friend's Snap in the last 24 hours. [cite: 17 in step 1]

This is an older, more fleeting emoji meaning compared to the permanent Snap Star badge. It is part of the system of Snapchat Emojis that track your friendship status with other users, such as the Yellow Heart (Best Friends) or the Fire Emoji (Snapstreak).

Snapchat Star vs. Other Key Emojis: A Quick Guide to Status

The star symbols are only one part of Snapchat's complex system of badges and emojis. To achieve full topical authority on your profile, it's essential to understand the other key indicators that appear next to usernames in your Friends List. These emojis provide context about your relationship and interaction level with other users. [cite: 5 in step 2, 9 in step 2]

• Yellow Heart (💛): You are each other's #1 Best Friend (BF). You send the most Snaps to this person, and they send the most Snaps to you.
• Red Heart (❤️): You have been each other's #1 BF for two weeks straight.
• Pink Hearts (💕): You have been each other's #1 BF for two months straight.
• Fire Emoji (🔥): You are on a Snapstreak! This appears next to the number of consecutive days you and a friend have Snapped each other.
• Hourglass (⌛): Your Snapstreak is about to end! You need to send a Snap to keep the streak alive.
• Smiling Face (😊): This user is one of your Best Friends. You send a lot of Snaps to them, and they send a lot of Snaps to you, but they are not your #1 BF.
• Grimacing Face (😬): You share a Best Friend. You both send the most Snaps to the same person.

Understanding the difference between the permanent, verified Snap Star (gold star) and the temporary, relationship-based emojis is key to mastering the app's social dynamics. The gold star is a mark of public recognition and creator success, while the friendship emojis are private indicators of your personal connection with friends.

Final Verdict: The Hierarchy of the Snapchat Star

In conclusion, the star on Snapchat has a clear hierarchy of meaning in 2025. The most significant is the Gold/Yellow Snap Star, which is the platform's official verification for public figures and a gateway to monetization and increased distribution on the Discover and Spotlight feeds.

Second is the Black/White Snapchat+ Badge, which is a voluntary indicator that a user is a premium subscriber, enjoying exclusive features like the Friend Solar System and advanced story insights.

Finally, the rare Gold Star Emoji is a temporary friendship emoji indicating that a friend's Snap has been replayed by someone in the last 24 hours. Knowing these distinctions allows you to quickly gauge a user's status, whether they are an elite creator, a premium user, or simply a friend with a popular Snap. [cite: 17 in step 1]