Snapchat Profile Badges Updated: What the New Star System Means for Users
By Robert Thorne
Q1: Can I pay to get a gold star next to my Snapchat profile?
No. The gold star verified badge cannot be purchased through Snapchat+ or any third-party payment system. It is awarded exclusively by Snap Inc. to recognized creators, public figures, and brands that meet audience reach and content authenticity criteria.
Q2: Why did a star emoji suddenly appear next to my friend’s name in my chats?
A gold star emoji (🌟) appearing beside a friend's name in your inbox indicates that someone replayed that person’s snap within the last 24 hours. It is an algorithmic friend emoji, not a verified creator badge.
Q3: What is the difference between a Snapchat Public Profile and a Snap Star?
Any Snapchat user over the age of 18 can create a basic Public Profile to separate friends from followers and post content to Spotlight. A Snap Star is an elite, verified sub-tier of public profiles that has received manual verification, editorial review, and a gold badge from Snap Inc.
Q4: Can a regular user lose the star friend emoji?
Yes. The replay star emoji is temporary. Once 24 hours pass without any of that contact's snaps being replayed, the icon automatically disappears from the chat list.
Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.
