In the past decade or so, online dating has become an increasingly common way for people to meet potential partners. With the rise of dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, people can now swipe through hundreds of profiles in a matter of minutes. And with this new way of dating comes a new way of communicating: through emoji.
The rise of emoji in online dating
Emoji have been around since the late 1990s, but they didn't become widely popular until they were added to smartphones in the early 2010s. Since then, emoji have become a ubiquitous part of online communication. According to a study by SwiftKey, a keyboard app, emoji are the fastest-growing language in the UK, and the second-fastest growing language in the US. The study found that 92% of people use emoji, and that 70% of people use them on a daily basis.
It's no surprise, then, that emoji have also become a part of online dating. In fact, some dating apps like Clover have even added their own custom emoji. But why do people use emoji in online dating, and what do they mean?
The psychology of emoji use in online dating
There are a few reasons why people use emoji in online dating. First, emoji can help to convey tone and emotion that might otherwise be difficult to express in text. For example, a simple smiley face can indicate that you're happy or joking around, while a heart emoji can show that you're interested in someone romantically.
Second, emoji can help to break the ice and create a more lighthearted atmosphere. Sending an emoji can be less intimidating than sending a long message, and can make the other person feel more comfortable.
Finally, emoji can be a way to signal certain personality traits or interests. For example, someone who uses a lot of food-related emoji might be seen as fun-loving or adventurous, while someone who uses a lot of travel-related emoji might be seen as adventurous or cultured.
The most popular emoji in online dating
So what are the most popular emoji in online dating? According to a survey by Match.com, the top five most popular emoji are:
- (face with tears of joy)
- (red heart)
- (face blowing a kiss)
- (smiling face with heart-eyes)
- (smiling face with smiling eyes)
These emoji are all positive and expressive, and convey emotions that are commonly associated with dating and romance. Other popular emoji include the fire emoji (used to indicate attraction) and the peach emoji (used to indicate a nice butt).
The pitfalls of using emoji in online dating
While emoji can be a useful tool in online dating, they can also have some drawbacks. For one thing, not everyone uses the same emoji in the same way. What one person might see as flirty or playful might come across as insincere or sarcastic to another person. Additionally, overuse of emoji can make you seem immature or unprofessional.
Another potential pitfall is that relying too heavily on emoji can make it difficult to have meaningful conversations. While sending an emoji can be a quick way to break the ice, it's important to follow up with more substantive messages if you want to build a real connection with someone.
Online Dating Emoji
Emoji have become an integral part of online communication, and it's no surprise that they've also become a part of online dating. While using emoji can be a useful way to convey tone and emotion, it's important to use them judiciously and in context. Ultimately, building a real connection with someone requires more than just sending a string of smiley faces and heart emojis.
