Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among younger users. On Snapchat, you can send photo and video snaps to your friends, add filters and lenses to your snaps, and view stories from your connections. One unique feature of Snapchat is the ability to send emoji reactions to snaps you receive. You can react to a snap with a red heart, gold heart, face with tears of joy, face throwing a kiss, face laughing, thumbs up, thumbs down, and more.
The red heart and gold heart are two of the most commonly used reactions on Snapchat. But which heart is better or preferred – the classic red heart emoji or the special gold heart? Here is an in-depth comparison of the red heart versus gold heart on Snapchat and which one you should use.
What Does the Red Heart Mean on Snapchat?
The red heart is the default reaction emoji on Snapchat. When you press and hold on a snap you receive, a red heart appears underneath the snap. Tapping the red heart sends a red heart emoji reaction to the person who sent you the snap.
The red heart is commonly used to signify:
- Liking or enjoying the snap
- Appreciation for the snap
- Acknowledgement that you viewed the snap
- Saying “thank you” for the snap
- Flirting back if someone sends a flirty snap
- Just a quick and casual reaction
The red heart is the safe, default reaction on Snapchat that can be used in many contexts. It’s simple and generic enough to work for snaps from your close friends, new friends, crushes, family members, acquaintances, and more. The red heart shows you appreciate the snap without having to overthink a reaction.
What Does the Gold Heart Mean?
The gold heart on Snapchat indicates a “best friend.” When you frequently interact with one of your Snapchat friends by sending snaps back and forth, you will eventually attain “best friend” status with that friend. This is indicated by a gold heart next to their name and means you are one of that person’s best friends on Snapchat.
You can have up to eight best friends on Snapchat at one time. To become best friends, you and the other person must snap each other frequently. However, the exact criteria Snapchat uses to determine best friends is unknown.
When you attain best friend status, you unlock new features with that friend, including:
- The ability to see your shared snap streak (number of days in a row you’ve snapped each other)
- A customized best friend emoji next to their name
- The ability to see their location on the Snap Map
- Reactions appear immediately rather than waiting for them to view your snap
The gold heart reaction, as opposed to the red heart, implies:
- You have a closer, best friend-level relationship
- You frequently interact on Snapchat and value your friendship
- You want to maintain your snap streak
- You are互romantic interest or crush
Red Heart vs. Gold Heart: Key Differences
Here is a summary of the main differences between the red heart and gold heart on Snapchat:
| Red Heart | Gold Heart |
|---|---|
| Default reaction option | Unlocked by becoming “best friends” |
| Can use with any friend or contact | Only can use with up to 8 “best friends” |
| Casual, simple reaction | Signifies a closer friendship |
| Doesn’t unlock extra features | Unlocks special best friend features |
When Should You Use the Red Heart vs. Gold Heart?
Based on the different meanings behind each heart emoji, here are some recommendations on when to use the red heart vs. the gold heart:
Use the red heart when:
- Reacting to a casual friend or acquaintance
- Replying to a snap from a new connection or someone you don’t talk to frequently
- You want a simple reaction without any deeper meaning
- You are reacting to stories from accounts you follow
Use the gold heart when:
- The other person is one of your closest Snapchat friends
- You talk to the person daily and want to maintain your streak
- It’s your romantic interest or crush
- You want to signify it’s an extra special snap for someone important to you
The gold heart tends to be reserved for your inner circle of Snapchat besties who you snap with the most. Use it for your closest friends who you have built rapport and trust with over time on Snapchat.
Can You Lose a Gold Heart?
Yes, unfortunately it is possible to lose your gold heart and best friend status with someone on Snapchat. This can happen if:
- You stop snapping that person for several days
- The other person stops snapping you back for several days
- Either of you adds new best friends, maxing out your limit of 8
If your interactions drop off for a few days, your gold heart can revert back to a red heart. But all hope is not lost! If you start actively snapping that person again, you can regain your gold heart status over time.
To keep your gold hearts, be sure to maintain frequent communication. Respond to their snaps, send chats, react to their stories, and keep your snap streaks going. Gold hearts signify your closest bonds on Snapchat, so nurture those friendships.
Conclusion
When reacting to snaps on Snapchat, the red heart and gold heart each carry their own nuanced meanings. Use red hearts for casual reactions and gold hearts for your true best friends. The gold heart signifies a tighter bond and unlocks special features.
Aim to have a balance between red heart friends and gold heart besties. And if you lose a gold heart, you can always work to get it back by snapping that person more consistently. Overall, both heart emojis have an appropriate time and place, so use them thoughtfully to enhance your Snapchat relationships and interactions.