If you use Snapchat regularly, chances are you’ve noticed a number on your profile called your Snap Score. Maybe you’ve checked it out of curiosity. Maybe a friend pointed it out. Or maybe you saw someone with a huge score and wondered how they got it.
One question comes up more than any other:
Will your Snap Score increase when someone sends you a Snap?
It sounds simple, but the answer has confused users for years. People swap theories, argue in group chats, and run their own “tests” to figure it out. Sometimes the score goes up when you expect it to. Other times it doesn’t move at all. And occasionally, it jumps for reasons that feel completely random.
This article clears up the confusion once and for all.
You’ll get:
- A clear answer to whether receiving snaps increases your Snap Score
- A plain-language explanation of how Snap Scores actually work
- Real-life examples and short anecdotes
- A step-by-step guide to increasing your Snap Score naturally
- A breakdown of common myths and misunderstandings
Everything is written in everyday language, without technical fluff. Let’s start at the beginning.
What Is a Snap Score?
The Snap Score is a reflection of your overall activity on Snapchat. It’s not about popularity, followers, or status. It’s simply Snapchat’s way of tracking how much you use certain features.
You can see your Snap Score by:
- Opening your profile
- Tapping your Bitmoji
- Checking a friend’s profile (if you’re connected)
At first, many people assume the score goes up for everything they do. Sending messages, opening snaps, watching stories. But that’s not how it works.
Can receiving a Snap cause your Snap Score to increase?
Let’s answer this clearly and directly.
No, your Snap Score does NOT go up when you receive a snap.
Opening a snap, even if it’s a photo or video, does not increase your Snap Score. You can open one snap or fifty snaps. Your score stays the same.
This surprises a lot of users, especially newer ones.
A Simple Example
- Your Snap Score is 3,120
- A friend sends you 10 snaps
- You open all of them
Your Snap Score remains 3,120
Nothing changes.
So if you’ve been opening snaps and wondering why your score isn’t moving, you’re not doing anything wrong. That’s just how Snapchat works.
What Actually Increases Your Snap Score?
Now that we’ve answered does your Snap Score go up when you receive a snap, let’s talk about what does make it increase.
1. Sending Snaps (The Main Factor)
Sending snaps is the most important action when it comes to Snap Score.
Each time you send a snap, your score usually increases by one point.
This includes:
- Photo snaps
- Video snaps
- Snaps sent to one person
- Snaps sent to multiple people
If you send the same snap to several friends, you’ll often get multiple points.
Important: Sending text messages does not count. Only actual snaps matter.
2. Posting Stories
Posting snaps to your Story also contributes to your Snap Score.
The increase isn’t always instant or obvious, but regular story posting helps over time. This is especially true if you’re consistently active.
3. Keeping Snap Streaks Alive
Snapchat doesn’t officially say that streaks increase your Snap Score, but here’s what really happens.
Streaks require both people to send snaps daily.
Since sending snaps increases your Snap Score, streaks naturally help your score grow, even if indirectly.
4. Consistent Activity Over Time
Snapchat seems to reward consistency. Users often notice their Snap Score increases faster when they:
- Use the app daily
- Send snaps across multiple days in a row
- Stay active instead of disappearing for weeks
Why Does My Snap Score Go Up When I Didn’t Send Anything?
This is another common question, and it causes a lot of confusion.
Here are the most likely reasons:
Delayed Updates
Snapchat doesn’t always update Snap Scores immediately. You might send snaps earlier, and the score updates later. When that happens, it feels like the score went up “for no reason.”
Story-Related Activity
Posting or interacting with stories can sometimes trigger delayed score changes.
App or Server Lag
Snapchat isn’t perfect. Sometimes the system updates your score all at once instead of in real time.
A Short Anecdote: The Dorm Room Experiment
A group of college roommates once tried to crack the Snap Score mystery. One person opened snaps all day. Another sent snaps. A third only chatted.
At the end of the day:
- The snap sender’s score went up
- The snap opener’s score didn’t change
- The chatter’s score stayed the same
That small “experiment” confirmed what many users eventually learn.
Receiving snaps doesn’t raise your Snap Score. Sending them does.
Do Chats Increase Your Snap Score?
No.
- Text messages ❌
- Voice notes ❌
- GIF replies ❌
- Stickers ❌
Chats are great for conversation, but they don’t affect your Snap Score at all.
Does Watching Stories Increase Your Snap Score?
Again, no.
You can watch stories for hours and your Snap Score won’t move. Snapchat tracks engagement internally, but Snap Score is about creating snaps, not consuming content.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Increase Your Snap Score Naturally
If you want to grow your Snap Score without annoying people or spamming, here’s a simple approach.
Step 1: Send at Least One Snap a Day
Consistency matters more than volume. One genuine snap daily keeps your score moving.
Step 2: Send Snaps to Multiple Friends
Instead of sending the same snap to one person, send it to a small group. This helps increase points without overdoing it.
Step 3: Post Stories Regularly
Adding one story a day keeps your account active and contributes over time.
Step 4: Maintain Streaks You Actually Care About
Streaks encourage daily snapping. Just don’t force them with people you don’t talk to.
Step 5: Avoid Empty or Spam Snaps
Sending blank screens or random ceiling photos repeatedly can get you muted or unfriended. A healthy Snap Score grows naturally.
Common Myths About Snap Scores
Let’s clear up a few popular misunderstandings.
Myth 1: Receiving Snaps Increases Your Score
It doesn’t.
Myth 2: Chats Count Toward Snap Score
They don’t.
Myth 3: Snapchat Shows the Full Formula
Snapchat has never shared the exact formula. Everything we know comes from long-term user experience.
Myth 4: A High Snap Score Means Someone Is Hiding Something
A high score simply means someone uses Snapchat a lot. Nothing more.
Why Snapchat Keeps Snap Scores Mysterious
Snapchat likes to keep things simple on the surface. If users knew the exact formula, people would focus on gaming the system instead of using the app naturally.
The goal isn’t the number. It’s sharing moments.
Should You Worry About Your Snap Score?
That’s a personal choice.
For some people, it’s:
- A fun metric
- A sign of activity
- Something to compare with friends
For others, it means nothing at all.
Your Snap Score doesn’t unlock features, change how Snapchat works, or affect your account.
Final Answer: Does Your Snap Score Go Up When You Receive a Snap?
Let’s say it one last time, clearly and confidently.
No, your Snap Score does not go up when you receive a snap.
Your Snap Score increases when you:
- Send snaps
- Post stories
- Stay consistently active
Opening snaps, watching stories, or chatting does not increase it.
Once you understand this, Snapchat becomes much easier to make sense of.
Final Thoughts
Snapchat was never meant to be a competition. Snap Scores are just a side effect of using the app.
If your score goes up, great. If it doesn’t, that’s fine too.
Now you know exactly how it works, and you won’t have to guess anymore.
