Snapchat Best Friend List Messed Up

Are you worried about the Snapchat Best Friend List Messed Up? How to move your best friend list up and down. I have also encountered this issue with my best friend list. To fix this issue, you need to understand the algorithm of how Snapchat’s best friend features work.
So, Snapchat assigns positions to your friends after analyzing the frequency of interaction with someone. Therefore, the Snapchat algorithm changes your friends’ positions based on your interaction with your friends and any changes in privacy settings.
Your best friend’s position from one to eight on snapchat can also be changed due to app glitches or algorithm changes. This blog will tell you how the Snapchat algorithm works and how you can manage your best friend positions.
Snapchat Best Friend List Changed Dramatically
You are not the only one who is facing the problem with your Snapchat best friend list. I also experienced this issue and many other users reported on Reddit and Quora that Snapchat’s best friend list is messed up.
This issue has left Snapchat users confused as to how it happens. So, here I will share with you how to fix this problem. But you have to understand the reasons behind it.
Why is my Snapchat Best Friend List Missed Up and How to Fix Them?
Here are the most common issues that can cause a change in your snapchat best friend list.
Recent Communication Level Change
One of the main reasons for the change in positions is the communication level. Snapchat assigns positions to your friends based on your level of interaction with them. The Snapchat algorithm tracks your communication level across chats, snaps, voice calls, and video calls.
If you start talking to someone and share pictures more and more. The Snapchat algorithm calculates new updates and changes the position of your best friends on the app. In this way, your best friend list changes, and your old friend can be replaced by a new one.
Communication Level | Impact |
Snaps | High |
Written and Voice Message | Moderate |
Calls | Significant |
Story Replies | Low |
Fix the Issue:
If you want certain people on your best friend list. You need to keep your interactions consistent. Otherwise, your best friend list will go up and down. A great reason to organize your best friends list is so that you can share pictures and messages with the people you want at the top.
Impact of Snapchat Algorithm Updates
Another issue with Snapchat’s best friend list changes is algorithm updates. New Snapchat updates can affect your best friend list. You may see changes in your friend list even if your communication level is the same.
Snapchat’s algorithm tracks your activity on the app such as snaps, calls, and message frequency. Therefore, new updates can change your best friend list even if your interaction level does not change.
Fix to Issue:
You should understand the new updates and manage your best friend list. Start sharing pictures and chatting with your special best friend again. Connect with your friends through calls and messages. This will help you gain control of your best friend list.
Privacy Settings Affect Your Snapchat Best Friends List
Your Snapchat best friend list may change due to privacy settings. Snapchat privacy settings allow you to set who can message and snap you. Also, who can see your activities on Snapchat? This change may affect your best friend list position.
How to Fix?
- Check your privacy settings in your daily routine.
- Only allow your best friends to see your stories.
- Allow your best friends to send you photos.
- Make sure your Snapchat settings match your preferences.
How Does the Snapchat Best Friends List Glitch Impact Your Friends Ranking?
can also cause unexpected changes to your best friend list. You may encounter errors such as friend removal, position change, and other errors. However, you can fix the errors by using these methods.
App Restart:
Errors related to best friends lists may be resolved when you restart your app.
From Android:
- Close your Snapchat app.
- Clean the app from your background.
- Again open snapchat.
From iPhone:
- Swipe up the app to close it.
- Open the app switcher and find the app to close.
- Open the home screen.
- Click on the app to reopen it.
Update the Snapchat App:
Make sure you have downloaded the latest version of the Snapchat app. If your Snapchat version is not updated, update to the latest version of Snapchat. This step can help fix any bugs or glitches in your Snapchat app to fix your best friends list.
Log out and Log back in:
Another way to fix Snapchat errors is to log out or log back into your account. You should first log out of your account on the device you are using. Refresh the device and log back into your account. This step may be more helpful.
Clear the App Cache:
Snapchat app cache can be another cause of the snapchat best friend list missed up. By following the simple steps you can clean the app cache.
- Open the setting app.
- Select the Apps option from the list.
- Scroll down and locate the snapchat app.
- Tap on the Clear Cache.
How To Change Best Friends List On Snapchat?
Snapchat automatically generates your Best Friends list based on who you interact with the most (sending snaps, chatting, reacting to stories).
You cannot manually pick Best Friends, but you can influence the list by changing your activity.
To add someone:
- Send more snaps and interact more with the person you want on your Best Friends list.
To remove someone:
- Reduce or stop snapping, chatting, and reacting to that person’s stories.
- Open their profile → Tap the three dots (top right) → Select Manage Friendship → Tap Remove Friend (or block them if needed).
The list updates automatically over time based on recent activity — even a few days of changed behavior can alter it.
With Snapchat+ (paid version, free trial available), you can pin someone as your Best Friend Forever so they always appear in your Best Friends feed.
Why Do I Only have 5 Best Friends on Snapchat?
You only see five Best Friends on Snapchat because the app limits the list to that number. These spots are filled with the people you engage with most often—whether through snaps, chats, or story interactions. Snapchat’s algorithm keeps track of your activity and refreshes the list automatically, so it always reflects your most frequent connections.
Why is Snapchat Best Friend List not Updating?
If your friend lists isn’t changing, it usually means your interaction patterns haven’t shifted enough to affect the rankings. Snapchat’s Best Friends list updates based on how often you interact with others through snaps, chats, and story engagement.
The app refreshes the list over time, so noticeable changes only happen when you consistently engage more with different people than you currently do with your existing Best Friends.
Contact Snapchat Support
If you are still facing the issue, you can contact Snapchat Support. Describe your issue clearly to the agent. You can also attach screenshots if necessary. You can follow the conversations you may have received which may be helpful.
FAQs
Q. Why did your best friend list on snapchat go from 7 to 4?
Your best friend position can change due to less interaction with your friend, more interaction with a new friend, or Snapchat algorithm updates.
Q. Why is your Snapchat best friends list not updating?
Your best friend list not updating can be caused by recent interaction changes, Snapchat algorithm changes, app glitches, network issues, or privacy settings.

Amber Burnett
Amber Burnett, M.A., is a communication expert and educator with over 15 years of experience driving social media growth. She is sharing snapchat growth at scplanetorder.com. Specialising in effective communication, collaboration, and STEM education, she has a proven track record of building successful businesses across the globe. She is serving as lecturer at school of professional communication at Texas Tech University.