Does Opening a Snap Actually Make Your Score Go Up?

Many Snapchat users obsess over their score, wondering about the secret formula behind the number next to their name. A common question is whether you must open a snap for your score to increase. The short answer is no. Your Snapchat score is a reflection of your overall activity on the platform. Simply sending and receiving snaps are the main actions that contribute to your score, meaning you can see it rise without opening every single thing you get.

What Really Influences Your Snapchat Score?

Your Snapchat score is calculated by a special, secret algorithm. While Snapchat doesn’t share the exact details, we know it’s based on your overall engagement with the app. It’s not just about one single action but a combination of many.

The system is designed to reward active users who frequently interact with their friends and the platform’s features. Think of it as a total summary of your activity level on the app.

The primary factors are sending snaps and receiving snaps. However, other activities like posting stories and maintaining Snapstreaks also play a significant role in making that number climb higher over time.

Debunking the Myth: Opening Snaps is Not Required

One of the most persistent beliefs about the Snapchat score is that you must open every snap you receive to see an increase. This is simply not true. While being an active user is important, the score algorithm primarily rewards the acts of sending and receiving content.

Your score can and will go up just by having snaps sent to you, even if they remain unopened. This is because the system registers the interaction when the snap is delivered to your account.

Similarly, another common myth is that ignoring or deleting snaps will cause your score to decrease. Snapchat does not penalize users for managing their inbox. Your score is based on positive actions, not on whether you ignore or delete content. So, you can relax and use the app without worrying that an unopened snap will hurt your score.

The Power of Sending Snaps Consistently

If you’re looking for the most effective way to boost your score, focus on sending snaps. Snapchat’s scoring system heavily favors users who create and share content with others. The more snaps you send, the faster your score will increase.

This encourages users to stay active and engage directly with their friends. It’s the core function of the app, and the scoring system reflects that. Maintaining daily streaks is a perfect example of how consistent sending is rewarded.

Several sending-related activities can give your score a boost:

• Sending individual snaps to friends. This is the most basic and effective method.
• Maintaining Snapstreaks. Keeping a streak alive requires daily sending and shows consistent engagement.
• Sending snaps to multiple people at once. The algorithm may provide a small bonus for sharing with a larger audience.

Focusing on a consistent sending habit is the surest way to watch your score grow steadily.

How Receiving Snaps Also Boosts Your Score

While sending is a major factor, receiving snaps also contributes to your score. Every time a friend sends you a snap, your account is credited for that interaction. This is a key reason why you don’t need to open every snap.

The system acknowledges the social connection. By receiving a snap, you are part of an active exchange, which is exactly what Snapchat wants to encourage. So, even if you are just a recipient in a conversation, your score still benefits.

Beyond Snaps: Other Ways to Increase Your Score

While sending and receiving snaps are the heavy hitters, they aren’t the only things that matter. Snapchat rewards users for exploring and using its various features. Broadening your activity on the app can lead to small but steady increases in your score.

Engaging in different ways shows the algorithm that you are a well-rounded and active member of the community. This includes everything from chatting with friends to posting content for a wider audience.

Here’s a look at how different activities might impact your score:

Remember that even smaller interactions can add up over time, contributing to your overall score.

Snapchat’s Secret Formula: What We Still Don’t Know

It is crucial to remember that Snapchat has never publicly released the exact formula for calculating scores. Everything we know is based on user experience, experiments, and observation from the community over many years. There could be other hidden factors that influence the score.

Snapchat keeps its algorithm private to prevent users from artificially inflating their scores and to encourage genuine interaction. While we have a strong understanding of the main drivers like sending and receiving snaps, the precise value of each action remains a mystery.

Therefore, the best strategy is to simply use the app authentically. Engage with your friends, share moments from your day, and enjoy the features without worrying too much about the exact number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to open a snap for your score to go up?
No, you do not have to open a snap for your score to increase. Your score goes up from both sending snaps and receiving them, regardless of whether you open the ones you get.

Does sending chats or making video calls increase my Snap score?
Sending snaps and posting stories are the primary ways to increase your score. While general activity might have a very small, indirect impact, chats and calls are not believed to add points directly.

Will my score go down if I don’t use Snapchat?
Your score will not decrease from inactivity. However, it will remain stagnant and will not go up until you start sending and receiving snaps again.

Why did my Snapchat score go up by a lot all at once?
This can happen if you’ve recently increased your activity, such as sending snaps to many people, starting new Snapstreaks, or after a period of inactivity. The score doesn’t always update in real-time and can sometimes update in batches.

Does my Snap score increase from watching stories?
No, just viewing other people’s stories is not known to increase your Snapchat score. The system rewards you for posting your own story, not for consuming content from others.