Ever been scrolling through your chat list or checking out a public story and noticed a little star pop up? It’s kinda confusing because Snapchat doesn't exactly come with a manual. You see a gold star one day, a black one the next, or maybe a tiny one right next to a friend's name in your inbox.
Honestly, these icons are the app's secret language for status and engagement. If you've been wondering what does the star on Snapchat mean, you aren't alone. It changes depending on where it is and what color it's rocking.
The Gold Star Next to a Name (The Replay Icon)
Let’s start with the most common one. If you see a gold star emoji next to a friend’s name in your chat list, it’s not because it's their birthday or they've won an award.
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It means someone replayed this person's snaps in the last 24 hours.
Basically, it's Snapchat’s way of saying, "Hey, this person posted something so good or so confusing that someone had to watch it twice." It doesn't tell you who replayed it (it could have been you, or it could have been some random mutual friend). It’s just a signal of high engagement. If you're seeing that star, it usually means that person is having a pretty interesting day on the app.
The Verified Snap Star (The Official Gold Badge)
Now, there’s another gold star that looks a bit more professional. This one appears right next to a user's display name on their profile or in the Discover section.
This is the Snap Star badge.
Think of it like the blue checkmark on X (Twitter) or Instagram. It means Snapchat has officially verified the account. Usually, these belong to:
- Celebrities like Kylie Jenner or David Dobrik.
- Major brands.
- Influencers who have a massive, engaged following.
You can't just buy this star. Well, not usually. Snap Stars are chosen based on their "cultural relevance" and how much original content they post. If you see this star, you’re looking at a public figure. They get special perks too, like advanced analytics and the ability to earn a cut of the ad revenue from their stories. In 2026, the criteria for this have become even stricter, focusing more on creators who use AR lenses and keep their "completion rates" high—meaning people actually watch their whole story instead of tapping through.
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That Mysterious Black Star (The Snapchat+ Badge)
If you see a black star (it often looks like a white star inside a black circle or just a stylized dark icon), you're looking at a Snapchat+ subscriber.
Snapchat+ is the paid version of the app. It costs a few bucks a month, and in exchange, users get "exclusive, experimental, and pre-release features." One of those features is the ability to add a badge to your profile to flex your subscriber status.
The black star is a choice. Subscribers can turn it on or off in their settings. If your friend has one, they probably spend a lot of time on the app and want access to things like:
- Custom App Icons: Changing the Snapchat ghost to something else.
- Friend Solar Systems: Seeing where they rank in your best friend list.
- Ghost Trails: Seeing where your friends have been in the last 24 hours (if they share their location).
The Pin Star: Keeping the Faves at the Top
Wait, there’s one more. If you see a small star or a pushpin-style icon next to a chat, that’s a Pinned Conversation.
This one is entirely for you. It means you’ve "pinned" that friend to the top of your feed so you don't have to scroll past thirty people to find them. Only you can see this star. Your friend has no idea you’ve pinned them (which is great if you’re trying to keep things low-key).
Why the Stars Keep Changing
Snapchat is famous for changing its UI without telling anyone.
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One week a star means a replay, the next week they might test it for something else entirely. But as of now, the "star" ecosystem is pretty much split between verification (Snap Stars), engagement (Replays), and subscriptions (Snapchat+).
If you're trying to get a star yourself, the path depends on which one you want. Want the replay star? Post something wild on your story that makes people go "Wait, what?" and hit that replay button. Want the verified Snap Star? You’re going to need about 50,000+ followers and a lot of patience.
Actionable Takeaways for 2026
- Check your settings: If you're a Snapchat+ user, you can toggle that black star badge on or off by tapping your profile, hitting the Snapchat+ banner, and looking for "Snapchat+ Badge."
- Watch the Replays: If you see the gold star next to your own name, check your story insights. It won't name the person who replayed, but it confirms your content is hitting the mark.
- Don't Stress the Verification: Unless you're a full-time creator, that official gold star is mostly just a status symbol for celebrities. For everyone else, the stars are just fun ways to see who’s active and who’s paying for the premium perks.
To see these icons in action, head to your Friends Screen and look at the right side of the names. If there's a gold star there right now, someone's snaps are currently trending in your circle.