It’s amazing, really.
Millennia after the Egyptians used pictograms to express their feelings and document history, little images are making a communication comeback.
Does a smiley face or a heart emoji work better than words? Maybe so.
Internet users have adopted emojis with relish, according to new research. Perhaps it’s because they “help consumers communicate more easily and effectively — a potentially powerful insight for brands,” according to eMarketer.
Then again, emojis are like words — with feelings squeezed in.
“It’s no secret that text-based communications — so prevalent in the digital era — can lack the emotional cues to let people know if you’re joking or serious, sarcastic or friendly, worried or laughing,” notes eMarketer. “And just as emoticons and abbreviations like “lol” were invented to help bridge the gap of understanding, so too have emojis been widely adopted for the same purpose.”
Emogi’s research revealed that about 90 percent of U.S. internet users employ emojis.
“Among that group, more than seven in 10 said they used them because they helped users to accurately express what they were thinking. Nearly 65 percent said emojis also made it easier for people to understand them.”
That’s most likely why Facebook, Instagram, and other social sites are bending over backwards to incorporate emojis in their communication options. And, in fact, Instagram recently made it easier for users and brands to incorporate emojis into posts, by allowing their use within hashtags.
It all lends new meaning to the phrase, “Do I have to draw you a picture?”
Yes, maybe you do. Or at least — add an emoji.