Emojis, those small pictorial symbols that convey emotions and ideas universally across language barriers, have undeniably become a fundamental aspect of our everyday online communication, especially in the realm of social media. Google’s Gmail has taken notice of the significance of emojis in modern communication. Reports of Gmail adopting emojis and transforming into a more chat-like platform first emerged informally in late August and early September.
With speculations buzzing ever since, Google’s spokesperson, Madison Cushman Veld, responded to queries with a cryptic message: “😉,✋📻”, giving a sneak peek of what the team was working on. Following this teaser, Gmail has now officially introduced the emoji feature, allowing users to respond to emails with emojis when words alone won’t suffice.
The Gmail Emoji Feature for Every Google User
Ever since Google has verified the inclusion of emoji reactions in its Gmail service, it initially launched on Android devices and subsequently expanded to other platforms, which means iOS and web users might need to wait. This functionality resembles the reactions found on Apple’s iMessage.
Much like the use of emojis in instant messaging, the newly rolled-out Gmail reactions offer a convenient way to respond to emails that don’t necessitate a written response. These emoji reactions, some of which include animations, are viewable by all participants within the email conversation. This fresh addition empowers users to infuse their emails with a touch of personality, enhancing the email experience with a dash of fun and delight, making it more expressive and enjoyable for everyone involved.
So, which emojis have been included in this new feature? Let’s highlight a few of them: A thumbs-up (👍), a sparkling heart (💖), a party popper (🎉), a laughing face (😆), the iconic smiley face (😀), and several others.
Nevertheless, certain limitations apply. For instance, if you possess a work or school account, you not only lack the capability to send emoji reactions but also receive each emoji as an individual email, as outlined in Google’s dedicated support page. This restriction similarly extends to the usage of third-party email clients such as Apple Mail or Microsoft Outlook.
Thus, it’s exclusively within Gmail to Gmail. Additionally, Gmail does not permit the sending of reactions when using BCC if the message is encrypted, or when the sender employs a custom reply-to address. And to avoid the overusing of the emojis in replies, one can only send at most 20 reactions to the same message; or if a message is sent to more than 20 recipients.
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How Do I Use the Gmail Emoji Reaction Feature?
Using Emojis
It’s easy. Click on the email you want to respond, and the reactions will come rolling out. Beneath the message, you’ll find an “Add emoji reaction” option followed by a selection menu. Once you pick an emoji, it will be displayed at the message’s bottom. You will have access to the complete emoji collection, although you might need to click “More” to access options beyond the initial six. According to a Google spokesperson, the party-popper emoji will feature a brief, full-page animation when sent and when first viewed. Furthermore, a selected group of emojis will feature brief animations.
Checking on Who Sent the Emojis
By pressing and holding the emoji, you can view the sender of that reaction. You have the option to reuse a reaction that someone else has added to an email or select a different one to include.
Removing Attached Emojis
There might be conditions that you accidentally pressed on the wrong emoji or realising that the used emoji isn’t appropriate. You want to remove the wrongly-used emoji. And of course, the removal of emojis feature is available. Depending on your Gmail “Undo settings”, which are adjustable only on your computer, you will have a window of 5 to 30 seconds to delete an emoji reaction after adding it, as per Google’s information. To remove the emoji reaction, simply tap “Undo”.
This recent addition certainly adds vibrancy and enthusiasm to responding to messages or emails. It’s a convenient and clever tool to use when you’re swamped with work or dealing with emails that don’t need a personal response. Emojis can often convey the right sentiment for a reply without the need for words, making it a welcome update for Gmail users!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use the Emoji-Reply Feature Towards Other Email Clients?
No, it’s not possible. This feature is limited to Gmail-to-Gmail interactions, so you can’t use it across third-party email clients like Apple Mail or Microsoft Outlook. While it’s already accessible for Android users, iOS and web users will have to wait a bit longer, although the wait is expected to be relatively short.
Why Can’t I Send Emoji Reactions to the Emails I Received?
There are situations where sending emoji reactions is not possible. These include when you’re using a work or school account, sending a message to a group email list, reaching a certain number of recipients, being in BCC, sending more than 20 reactions, dealing with encrypted messages using Client-side encryption, or when the sender has set a custom reply-to address.
Why Should We Use Emojis in Replying to Emails?
Using emojis is a great way to connect with someone, conveying feelings and a light-hearted tone, adding warmth and sincerity to your messages. However, it’s essential to recognise that emojis may not always be suitable, particularly in work-related emails. In a professional context, excessive emoji use can give the impression of reduced professionalism and competence and may even suggest a lack of seriousness. That’s believed to be a reason why Gmail restricts emoji reactions when using work or school accounts.