Media release

From: PLOS

Emoji use may impact relationship outcomes

Emojis can boost relationship satisfaction by complementing face-to-face interactions

The use of emojis in text messaging improves perceived responsiveness and thereby enhances closeness and relationship satisfaction, according to a study published July 2, 2025, in the open-access journal PLOS One by Eun Huh from The University of Texas at Austin, U.S.

Text-based messaging is a primary use of smartphones, with near-universal adoption across age groups. The use and variety of emojis in such messages have also surged, particularly among young adults. Defined as digital representations of emotions and ideas, emojis enrich text-based communication by conveying emotional nuance and increasing expressiveness. Although emojis are prevalent in texting and social media, their potential as a tool for fostering interpersonal connection remains underexplored.

To fill this knowledge gap, Huh investigated how emojis influence relationship perceptions in an era dominated by online interactions. The participants included 260 adults ranging in age from 23 to 67 years. They were randomly assigned to read 15 text message exchanges that varied only in the presence or absence of emojis in the text. They were instructed to imagine themselves as the sender of each message and to focus on their partner’s replies.

Participants rated partners who used emojis as more responsive than partners who communicated through text alone. This perceived partner responsiveness through emoji use was positively associated with closeness and relationship satisfaction. Surprisingly, there were no significant differences between face and non-face emojis, suggesting that the type of emoji may be less critical than previously assumed. Rather, it may be the presence of emojis that drives perceptions of greater partner responsiveness and better relationships.

The study design focused only on one partner in an inherently two-way relationship. Also, although imagined scenarios can elicit meaningful responses, they do not fully capture the dynamics, emotional depth or nuance of real-time exchanges. The study may not therefore fully capture the nuances of communication between close, real-life friends.

Despite these caveats, the experimental design of this research helps to isolate the effects of emoji use on friendship dynamics, moving beyond the correlational approaches that dominate much of the existing literature. By highlighting the mediating role of perceived responsiveness, the present study offers a theory for why emojis matter in relational contexts: they may serve not only as expressive devices but also as signals of attentiveness and emotional engagement.

The author adds: “The study revealed that emojis can boost relationship satisfaction by signaling emotional attentiveness. Interestingly, it’s not the type of emoji but simply their presence that makes people feel closer to their partner.”