Snapchat is weirdly secretive about how that little number under your profile actually works. You’ve probably seen people with scores in the millions and wondered if they literally never put their phone down. Or maybe you've sent fifty snaps in an hour only to see your score budge by three points. It’s frustrating. Honestly, the mystery is part of the hook.
But let's be real.
If you’re trying to figure out how do you raise your score on snapchat, you need to stop guessing and look at the mechanics. It isn't just a 1:1 ratio of snaps sent to points earned. It’s a mix of engagement, frequency, and—believe it or not—staying active on the platform in ways that don't always involve a camera lens.
What Actually Goes Into the Snapchat Score?
Snapchat's official support page is famously vague. They say the score is a "special equations" based on the number of Snaps you’ve sent and received, Stories you’ve posted, and "other factors." Those other factors are the secret sauce.
Essentially, your Snapchat score is a measure of your activity. Sending a snap counts. Receiving one counts. Opening one? That counts too. But if you think you can just spam your best friend with 100 black screens and see your score skyrocket, you're in for a reality check. Snapchat’s algorithm is smarter than that. It rewards diversity in your interactions.
The Sending and Receiving Game
Every time you send a snap to someone, your score typically goes up by one point. When you receive one and open it, you get another point.
Wait.
There is a catch. Sending the same snap to 10 people doesn't necessarily give you 10 points instantly in a linear fashion every single time, especially if the app detects bot-like behavior. However, generally speaking, the more unique interactions you have, the faster that number climbs. If you’re just lurking and watching stories without participating, your score is going to stay stagnant. It's a social platform; it wants you to be social.
The Most Effective Ways to Boost the Number
You want the score to go up fast. I get it. To do that, you have to maximize your "output" without getting your account flagged for spam.
Start with your Streaks. Streaks are the lifeblood of a high Snap score. When you have a streak with someone, you are guaranteed at least two points a day (one for sending, one for receiving). Multiply that by 20 or 30 friends, and you have a passive income of points. It adds up. Fast.
Post to your Story. Every time you post to your Story, you get a point. It doesn't matter if 1,000 people watch it or zero. The act of posting is what triggers the increase. If you're a heavy Story user, your score will naturally outpace someone who only sends direct messages.
The "Group Chat" Fallacy.
A lot of people think sending a snap to a group chat counts for every person in that group. It doesn't. Sending a snap to a group typically counts as one sent snap. If you want the points, you have to select the recipients individually. It’s tedious, yeah, but that’s how the system is built.
Watch Out for the "Celebrity" Method
You might have heard the advice to subscribe to hundreds of celebrities and spam them with snaps. Since they never open them, you aren't bothering anyone, right?
Kinda.
This used to be the gold standard for how do you raise your score on snapchat. You’d add DJ Khaled, Kylie Jenner, and a bunch of random verified accounts, then blast them with nonsense. It still works to an extent, but Snapchat has been known to throttle accounts that send hundreds of snaps to people who don't follow them back. If the algorithm thinks you're a bot, it might stop counting those snaps toward your score, or worse, lock your account.
Why Your Score Stops Moving
Ever notice your score just... freezes?
You’ve been snapping all day, but the number is the same. Don't panic. Snapchat doesn't always update the score in real-time. Sometimes it takes a few hours, or even a logout and login, to see the refreshed total.
Also, it’s worth noting that "Chat" messages—the text-based ones—don't count. You can type until your thumbs bleed, but if there isn't a photo or video involved, your score isn't moving. This is a huge misconception. People spend hours talking in the app and wonder why they're still stuck at 5,000. Use the camera.
Does a High Score Actually Matter?
Technically, no. It doesn't unlock hidden features or give you a gold star next to your name. But in the world of social proof, it matters to some. It shows you're an OG user or just very well-connected.
Interestingly, there’s a "bonus" for coming back. If you haven't used Snapchat in a few days and then send a snap, you'll often see a significantly higher jump in your score than usual. It’s a "welcome back" gift from the devs to encourage you to stay.
Common Myths Debunked
- Watching Stories raises your score: Nope. You can watch every story on your feed and your score won't move an inch. You have to be the creator or the direct recipient.
- Using Filters adds extra points: False. While filters make snaps better, they don't have any weight in the "special equation."
- Hack tools and websites: These are scams. Period. Any website claiming they can "inject" points into your Snapchat score is just trying to steal your login credentials or get you to click on ads. There is no shortcut through third-party software.
Strategy for Maximum Growth
If you're serious about this, you need a routine. It sounds nerdy, but that's how the million-point accounts do it.
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Start your day by sending a "Good Morning" snap to your most active friends. This maintains streaks and gets the points flowing. Throughout the day, post 3-5 times to your Story. Even mundane stuff—a coffee cup, a cool building, a dog. It all counts.
Before you go to bed, check your received snaps. Open them all. Every single one is a point.
If you really want to grind, find a "Snap Score Group" on other social platforms. These are groups of people who all want to raise their scores and agree to send and receive snaps from each other constantly. It’s a digital pact. Just be careful about who you add; privacy still matters.
What to Do Next
To get that number moving right now, stop typing and start snapping.
- Identify 10 friends who are actually active and tell them you want to start a streak.
- Post a photo to your public or private Story immediately.
- Go through your "Added Me" list and add back people you actually know—more friends equals more point potential.
- Check your score, then put the phone down for an hour. When you come back and send your next snap, you'll likely see the update.
Focus on the camera, ignore the text chat for a bit, and stay consistent. The points will follow.