Snapchat has become more than just a photo-sharing app—it’s a digital playground where numbers matter almost as much as the snaps themselves. One of the most talked-about metrics on the platform is your Snap Score. Whether you’re trying to boost your social credibility or simply curious about how the system works, one common question keeps popping up: How much does Snap Score increase per chat? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
TLDR: Your Snap Score generally increases by one point per snap sent and one point per snap received, but regular text chats usually do not increase your score. Snapchat has never revealed its exact formula, and bonuses may apply for stories, streaks, and using new features. If you’re only sending chat messages without snaps, don’t expect your score to climb quickly. To boost your Snap Score, focus on sending and receiving photo or video snaps consistently.
What Is a Snap Score?
Your Snap Score is a numerical representation of your overall activity on Snapchat. You can find it by tapping on your profile icon at the top left of the app. The number displayed under your username is your Snap Score.
According to Snapchat, your score is calculated using a “special equation” that factors in:
- The number of Snaps sent
- The number of Snaps received
- Stories you post
- Other unspecified factors
Notice something missing? Snapchat does not specifically mention text-based chats. That’s where confusion begins.
Does Snap Score Increase Per Chat Message?
Let’s address the big question directly.
Regular text chat messages do not typically increase your Snap Score.
If you’re simply sending text messages back and forth in the chat window—without attaching a photo or video—you likely won’t see your Snap Score go up. Many users have tested this repeatedly and confirmed that sending plain text chats does not trigger an increase.
However, if you send a photo snap or video snap (even if it includes text), that does count.
How Much Does Snap Score Increase Per Snap?
While Snapchat keeps its algorithm secret, user testing and long-term observation suggest the following:
- +1 point for each Snap sent
- +1 point for each Snap received
So if you send 10 photo snaps to friends and receive 10 back, your Snap Score could increase by roughly 20 points.
It’s important to note that:
- Sending the same Snap to multiple users may still count individually.
- Group snaps can contribute points.
- Story posts often add at least one point per post.
But again, text-only conversations? Those typically don’t move the needle.
Why Doesn’t Chat Increase Snap Score?
Snapchat was originally built around the concept of disappearing photo and video messages. The app’s identity centers on visual communication.
Because of that, the Snap Score appears designed to reward:
- Visual engagement
- Creative content sharing
- Frequent snap exchanges
Text chat was introduced later as a supporting feature. If Snap Score increased for every text message, users could easily inflate their numbers by spamming short chats like “hey” or sending single emojis repeatedly.
By limiting score increases primarily to snaps, Snapchat ensures the metric reflects real platform interaction.
Other Ways Your Snap Score Can Increase
While snaps sent and received are the main contributors, there are other activities that may boost your score.
1. Posting Stories
Adding a Snap to your Story usually adds at least one point. If you post frequently, those points can add up quickly.
2. Maintaining Snap Streaks
Although streaks themselves don’t directly multiply your score, the daily snaps exchanged to maintain them do. Long streaks naturally lead to steady score growth.
3. Returning After Inactivity
Some users report receiving a small score jump after returning to Snapchat following a break. While not officially confirmed, it suggests Snapchat may include re-engagement bonuses in its formula.
Image not found in postmeta4. Using New Features
Occasionally, Snapchat appears to reward users for trying new features. While this isn’t guaranteed, early adopters sometimes report minor score boosts.
Common Myths About Snap Score
There’s a lot of misinformation floating around online. Let’s clear up a few myths.
Myth 1: Chat messages increase your score.
False. Basic text chats do not usually count.
Myth 2: Your Snap Score increases when someone views your Story.
False. Views don’t impact your score—only posting the story might.
Myth 3: Your score updates instantly.
Not always. There can be delays. Sometimes it updates after closing and reopening the app.
Myth 4: You can hack or artificially boost your Snap Score safely.
Very risky. Third-party apps or automation tools violate Snapchat’s terms of service and can result in account bans.
Why Do People Care So Much About Snap Scores?
On the surface, Snap Score is just a number. But in social circles—especially among teens and young adults—it can carry surprising weight.
Here’s why Snap Scores matter socially:
- They signal activity level on the app.
- Higher scores can indicate social engagement.
- They sometimes serve as a rough measure of popularity.
- They create friendly competition between friends.
People often compare scores the same way they compare follower counts on other platforms.
How to Increase Your Snap Score Efficiently
If your goal is to grow your Snap Score, focus on the actions that actually count.
Best Practices:
- Send photo snaps instead of text chats.
- Open and respond to received snaps regularly.
- Maintain multiple Snap Streaks.
- Post stories consistently.
- Engage with multiple friends rather than just one.
Pro Tip: Avoid spamming. Snapchat’s algorithm can detect unusual activity patterns, and aggressive behavior could limit your account.
Why Your Snap Score Isn’t Going Up
If you’ve been sending chats and your score isn’t increasing, here are possible explanations:
- You’re sending text-only messages.
- You haven’t updated the app.
- The score hasn’t refreshed yet.
- There’s a temporary glitch.
Try closing and reopening Snapchat to force a refresh. If that doesn’t work, check for an app update.
Is There a Maximum Snap Score?
There doesn’t appear to be a maximum Snap Score limit. Some users have scores in the millions. Accumulating that level of engagement typically takes years of consistent snapping.
Because the platform rewards ongoing activity, the highest scores usually belong to:
- Long-time users
- Content creators
- Highly social users with large friend lists
So, How Much Does Snap Score Increase Per Chat?
To summarize clearly:
- Text chat only: 0 points (in most cases)
- Photo or video snap sent: +1 point
- Photo or video snap received: +1 point
If you’re chatting without sending snaps, your score likely won’t budge. The Snap Score system is built to reward multimedia interaction—not simple texting.
Final Thoughts
Snap Score remains a bit of a mystery because Snapchat doesn’t reveal its full calculation method. However, through observation and consistent user experience, one thing is clear: snaps matter, chats don’t—at least not by themselves.
If you’re aiming to increase your Snap Score, shift your focus from typing messages to sharing moments visually. Send that selfie. Post that quick video. Keep your streaks alive. That’s where the real growth happens.
And at the end of the day, remember: while Snap Score can be fun and competitive, it’s just a number. The real value of Snapchat lies in the connections and memories you create—not the points you collect.
