Snapchat is all about spontaneous communication, visuals, and fun—and part of that fun includes quirky emojis that appear next to your friends’ names. One of the more mysterious ones? The grimace face emoji. This awkward-looking, teeth-baring face can leave users puzzled or curious about what it exactly means.
TL;DR: On Snapchat, the grimace face emoji (😬) next to a friend’s name means you both share a close friend—someone you both interact with frequently. It’s not a sign of rivalry, but it does indicate overlap in your Snapchat social circles. Understanding this emoji can give you insight into your Snapchat relationships and help you see who you’re snapping the most compared to others. It’s all part of Snapchat’s way of gamifying communication with hidden clues.
Understanding the Grimace Emoji
Grimace is more than just a funny emoji—it signifies data. When Snapchat’s algorithm detects that you and someone else are both best friends with the same person on the app, it places the 😬 emoji next to your chat with that person.
This doesn’t mean you two are best friends. Instead, it means you both have a shared connection who is very important in both of your Snapchat lives. Think of it like your best friend’s other best friend. You’re on equal ground for someone’s attention.
Why Is It Called a “Grimace” Emoji?
The emoji is officially known as the “grimacing face,” and visually, it looks like a face with clenched teeth. This often gets interpreted as awkwardness, tension, or nervousness—which is actually an interesting fit. That’s because sharing a best friend on Snapchat could result in some mixed vibes:
- “Wait, someone else is their top best friend too?”
- “Am I not their #1 anymore?”
- “We’re both always snapping the same person!”
This subtle social tension is captured in the emoji’s expression. It’s not angry or sad—but it’s definitely… a little awkward.
How Snapchat Determines Best Friends
Snapchat uses interactions like snaps sent, snaps received, chat messages, and usage frequency to develop a best friends list. While this list is private to you, these indicators determine which emojis appear next to different users’ names.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what the process looks like:
- You regularly snap and chat with someone → Snapchat tags them as a best friend (can display ❤️, 😊, or other emojis).
- Another user also snaps that same person frequently.
- Now, when you interact with that other user, Snapchat shows 😬 to let you know you both are close with the same person.
Your Snapchat network suddenly becomes less private than you think—but in a fun and gamified way.
Where You’ll See the Grimace Emoji
The 😬 face appears directly to the right of a person’s name on your chats list, and possibly in your friend list. It only stays there as long as your mutual connection remains a significant part of both your Snapchat lives.
This emoji doesn’t require any action. You don’t have to react to it—unless, of course, you want to investigate who’s climbing up your best friend’s scoreboard.
What Does the Grimace Really Mean for You?
While this emoji doesn’t mean rivalry in the traditional sense, it does spotlight a moment of overlap in Snapchat activity. It might come as a fun surprise or a clue that someone else is just as close to your fave Snap friend as you are.
In many ways, it shows how social platforms are now acting almost like mini social experiments. The grimace face adds:
- Insights into interaction patterns: Who you talk to and how often.
- An interactive layer to friendship: Social relationships are always moving.
- A reminder: You’re not alone in how you use the app.
How Long Does the Emoji Last?
Because this emoji is based on behavior, it changes as your habits change.
If you start snapping someone else more, or reduce how often you snap that shared friend, the grimace emoji might disappear. Emojis on Snapchat are dynamic and can change daily depending on frequency and priority of interaction.
How to Use It to Your Advantage
Let’s say you see the grimace emoji show up next to someone you don’t usually snap—and now you’re curious. What could this mean for your Snapchat game?
Here’s how to use it:
- Expand your circle: If you and this person are both close to someone, maybe you have more in common.
- Observe interaction trends: Emojis shift as friendships evolve. Keep a close eye to notice rising stars in your best friends list.
- A conversation starter: “Hey, I just saw the grimace emoji… I didn’t know we both snap [Name] so much!”
In a way, it’s like a behind-the-scenes peek at your Snapchat circle dynamics.
Common Misconceptions About the Grimace Emoji
Now that we understand what it really means, it’s important to clear up a few myths:
- It doesn’t mean you’re enemies. Contrary to what some think, the grimace emoji isn’t a rivalry marker.
- It’s not a glitch. It may seem random at first, but it’s a well-designed feature based on consistent patterns.
- It won’t appear with everyone. It’s for specific cases where best friends overlap.
Emojis on social platforms have evolved way past smiley faces. Now they’re little insights into our digital behavior, helping us better understand who’s important in our online world.
Other Snapchat Emojis That Matter
Alongside the grimace, there are several other emojis that have specific meanings on Snapchat:
- 😊 Smiley Face: One of your Best Friends; you snap each other a lot.
- ❤️ Red Heart: No. 1 Best Friends for two weeks straight.
- 🔥 Fire (Snapstreak): You and a friend have snapped each other every day.
- 👶 Baby: You’ve just started being friends.
Each one tells its own story, and when combined, they paint a full picture of your Snapchat behavior.
Final Thoughts
While the grimace emoji might look a little awkward, it’s actually a clever insight into Snapchat’s social algorithm. It reflects a shared connection—someone important to both you and someone else. Rather than viewing it with worry, approach it with curiosity.
These small symbols show how social apps are blending human psychology with tech to create experiences that go well beyond communication. Next time you see 😬, you’ll know there’s an entire ecosystem of relationship data behind that emoji.
So keep snapping, keep watching for those evolving emojis, and remember—they’re Snapchat’s way of saying “Hey, your social life is more connected than you think.”