You have probably noticed that more people in your contact list and social streams are using emojis to communicate an emotion or sentiment, and these people are not just your teenage kids. Emojis have hit their tipping point and everyone is using them. In 2013, in response to the question “Do you use stickers or emoji in message apps?” 74 percent of people in the U.S. responded that they have. Source: NY Magazine
What exactly are emojis? They are icons used in mobile texting to express an emotion beyond words. “Emoji” means “picture character” in Japanese. Our text language has degraded from even the acronyms and short spellings to just an illustrated picture.
If you needed any convincing that emojis are mainstream, consider that when Apple released the newest version of their iOS (8.3), they included a redesigned Emoji keyboard. Users can now select from over 300 new characters with many new skin tone options and many more relationship- and gadget-related emojis.
Brands are even hopping on board the emoji bandwagon. Domino’s has launched a campaign for customers to order using a pizza emoji on Twitter. Once a customer has registered their Twitter handle on their Domino’s Pizza Profile, they will then be able to simply tweet #EasyOrder or just the pizza emoji to the Domino’s Twitter handle. Domino’s will then send the customer a direct message to confirm the order and the Easy Order saved in a customer’s profile will be automatically sent to their home.
Old Navy has launched a site called “emoodji.” The site asks you to log in with Facebook, or enter your Twitter or Instagram handle. The website calculates the emoji you use the most on that specific social platform and then guesses your mood based off which emoji you use the most. Based on your most used emoji, the website suggests a dream beach vacation and a pair of colored Old Navy flip-flops as a part of a shareable “mood board.”
What are the most popular emojis?
- Hearts account for 10 percent of all emoji uses in the top 100. But love, in general, is prominent, too. Hearts appear in 14 of top 100 emojis.
- However, traditional emoji faces are the most frequently used. “Happy faces” and “sad faces” represent the top two categories, at 45% and 14%, respectively.
If you don’t emoji yet, now is the time to start!
