What Is a Snap Score and Why It Matters
Your Snap Score is a number displayed on your Snapchat profile that represents how active you are on the app. While Snapchat does not officially reveal its full formula, years of testing and user experience have made several things clear.
Your Snap Score generally increases when you:
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Send snaps
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Receive snaps
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Post stories
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Stay consistently active
Snap Score matters because:
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It reflects engagement level
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Some users use it as a trust or activity indicator
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It’s often used for fun comparisons between friends
However, Snap Score is not affected by chats, voice calls, or video calls. The focus is almost entirely on snaps and stories.
Understanding this foundation is important before answering the main question about unopened snaps.
Does Your Snap Score Increase With Unopened Snaps? (Direct Answer)
No, your Snap Score does NOT increase from unopened snaps.
This is the most important point in this entire article.
Here’s why:
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Your Snap Score increases when a snap is sent or received
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An unopened snap is already counted as “received”
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Opening the snap does not add extra points
In simple terms:
The moment a snap lands in your inbox, the Snap Score impact (if any) has already happened.
Whether you open it immediately, leave it unopened for days, or never open it at all:
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Your Snap Score will not change
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No bonus points are added
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No hidden increase occurs
This myth exists because Snap Score updates are sometimes delayed, which makes users think opening snaps caused the increase—when in reality, it was from earlier activity.
What Actually Increases Your Snap Score
To rank clearly and avoid confusion, here’s what really affects your Snap Score.
Confirmed Activities That Increase Snap Score
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Sending snaps to friends
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Receiving snaps from friends
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Posting stories
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Maintaining daily activity streaks (indirectly)
Activities That Do NOT Increase Snap Score
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Opening snaps
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Sending or receiving chat messages
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Watching stories
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Voice or video calls
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Leaving snaps unopened
Snap Score is based on action, not reaction. You earn points for creating and exchanging snaps, not for viewing them.
If your Snap Score suddenly jumps after opening snaps, it’s likely due to:
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Delayed server updates
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Multiple snaps received earlier
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Story interactions processed late
Why People Think Unopened Snaps Increase Snap Score
This misunderstanding is extremely common, and here’s why it spreads so easily.
Delayed Snap Score Updates
Snapchat does not always update Snap Scores in real time. Sometimes:
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Scores update minutes later
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Sometimes hours later
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Occasionally even longer
This delay causes users to:
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Open a snap
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Notice their score increase afterward
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Assume the two are connected
Batch Processing
Snapchat often updates scores in batches, meaning multiple actions get reflected at once.
So when you open a snap:
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The score increase you see is likely from sending or receiving snaps earlier
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Not from opening the snap itself
This timing confusion is the main reason the myth still exists online.
Does Opening Multiple Unopened Snaps Give Bonus Points?
No. Opening multiple unopened snaps does not give bonus points.
Even if you:
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Open 10 snaps at once
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Open snaps after days
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Open snaps from different users
Your Snap Score will not increase from opening alone.
Important clarification:
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Receiving the snap may have already increased your score
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Opening it does nothing extra
If you want to increase your Snap Score faster:
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Send snaps individually
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Avoid mass text chats
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Post stories consistently
There is no shortcut involving unopened snaps.
Final Verdict: Unopened Snaps vs Snap Score
Let’s summarize clearly and simply:
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Unopened snaps do NOT increase Snap Score
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Opening snaps does NOT increase Snap Score
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Receiving snaps may increase it
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Sending snaps definitely increases it
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Score updates may be delayed, causing confusion
If your goal is to grow your Snap Score:
👉 Focus on sending snaps and staying active, not leaving snaps unopened.
This explanation aligns with user testing, long-term observation, and trending Google search behavior, making it reliable and accurate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does opening snaps increase Snap Score?
No. Opening snaps does not add any points.
2. Does receiving a snap increase Snap Score?
Yes, receiving snaps can increase your score.
3. Does Snap Score update instantly?
Not always. Updates are often delayed.
4. Do chats increase Snap Score?
No. Only snaps and stories matter.
5. Can unopened snaps affect Snap Score later?
No. If points were earned, they were earned when the snap was received.
