Did you know that the first emoji pre-dated the smartphone? Emojis were invented by Japanese electronic device manufacturers in the late 80s but they were a far cry from the emojis we know today. Think Wingdings font and pixelated squares.
In the 2010s, emojis were quickly adopted owing to the standardization of emojis and the widespread release of the emoji keyboard.
Now, emojis are in social media posts, inboxes, and chat groups everywhere. It’s hard to imagine the internet without emojis. Marketers have been quick to pick up on this, and soon emojis popped up on emails, most visibly on email subject lines.
If you’re an emoji non-believer, keep on reading to see if integrating these colorful symbols in your email marketing is the right move.
This article covers the benefits of using emojis in email subject lines and how to use them effectively to complement, not detract from, your message.
We’ve featured real email subject lines from brands in different industries. These examples are brought to you thanks to Panoramata’s extensive email search engine database where you can look up any email example for any occasion or use case.
Explore more emails in the search engine below by signing up (it’s free).
Benefits of using emojis in email subject lines
Are you afraid that putting emojis in your email newsletters will make you look childish or be taken less seriously?
Lay that fear to rest because the benefits of emojis are multifold. Here are some of them.
Makes your emails stand out
Emojis add color and punch to your emails. Your subscriber list will naturally linger on emojis in a sea of black and white text in their inboxes.
You will still need to create attention-grabbing subject lines (it goes without saying) but inserting an emoji somewhere in there really enhances inbox visibility.
Shows off your brand personality
Emojis can also make your brand more recognizable and arguably, more likable. You can establish a set of emojis that you always use in emails, thereby making it a shorthand for your brand.
At the very least, emojis could lead you to show more of your human side to your audience, which can potentially boost engagement.
Saves space
A picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, an emoji is worth a word or two. In a cramped subject line, that’s a lot of space saved.
Swap an emoji for a word, and you’ll not only add life to your subject line but also give space for more letters, which means more space to promote your message.
Can potentially lead to higher engagement and open rates
There’s no doubt about it: emails with emoji subject lines have higher engagement rates than those without. For example, in an emoji case study by ReturnPath, Thanksgiving holiday promotion emails without emojis had a 19 percent read rate.
Conversely, Thanksgiving holiday promotion emails scored 22 percent when integrating emojis in the subject line.
Reinforces your message
When done right, emoji use adds value to your email. You can finish a subject with an emoji to add impact, for example. You can also use emojis to convey emotion quickly, to emphasize a point, or to add tone to your message.
How to use emojis in subject lines
Don’t go overboard with emojis
Too many emojis will have your emails marked as spam. Be intentional about the emojis you use. More is not always better.
Apart from the spam risk, liberal emoji use in email subject lines makes you look unprofessional and even tacky.
Here are some examples of emails with minimal emojis with maximum impact.
- Fuel up for less ⚡💪
- Rainy day? 🌧️We know just how to spend it.
- Make Mom’s day dreamy 💝Shop our Mother’s Day Gift Guide.
- Rave reviews for our new arrivals 🌟
Consider the context and message of the email
Make sure you’re not sending the wrong message or conveying an inappropriate tone with the emoji you pick. We recommend highlighting one main word or phrase with an emoji.
Don’t forget to follow your brand image, too, and consider your audience. If your mailing list skews younger, you can have more fun with emojis, but if you have a mature professional audience, keep it classy and use contextual emojis.
Consider subject lines like these:
- 🔥 The Made In Grill Has Arrived
- Explore rugs for every room 🏠
- Every mom deserves to get Away ✈️(sent from the luggage brand Away)
- Can humid weather clog your pores? 🥵
- Something NEW is about to bloom 🌱🌿🌳
- Save 20% on our dog bed 🐾
Be creative
People often forget that emojis are not subject to hard and fast rules. Be free and loose when creating emoji subject lines.
For instance, you can replace a word with an emoji or use a color related to the product you’re promoting.
Be intentional about the emojis you use. More is not always better.
Some real email subject lines we’ve seen recently that use emojis creatively are:
- Your Cart👉Your Closet In 1 Day🤯
- Baby ➡️ Toddler ➡️ Kid: our fave transitional furniture
- Scent spotlight: purple ube 🍠 [from an email promoting an ube-scented perfume by Snif]
- NEW IN: Escape to the South of France 🍑🍐💐
- Healthier skin 🤝 Happier you
- 👋 Your free 2-piece gift is leaving
Emphasize urgency and emotion
Emojis are great ways to call attention to last-chance deals, flash sales, and other time-sensitive promotions. You can also stir curiosity with a well-placed emoji.
Here are a few examples:
- 🚨 Limited Time: Extra 20% off sale styles! 🚨
- ⏰ FINAL HOURS
- MATTRESSES & MORE up to 50% OFF ➡️
- Have you shopped our sale yet? 👀
- FLASH: 35% off everything 🔓
- Why wait? Haircare is 60% off NOW 🛒
A/B test
Our last tip: experiment to see which emojis work best for your emails by doing an A/B test. Alternatively, you can run one email with emojis and one email without emojis to see if going emoji-less is the way to go. You can’t argue with the data so test away!
Examples of emails with emojis in subject lines
Looking for more inspiration? Check out these emails.
Stitch Fix
A raised hands emoji is simple but effective at conveying the ease the subscription brand brings to its customers.
Frank Body
Frank Body uses an offbeat emoji of a superhero to emphasize its main message: its hero product can rescue you from skincare problems.
Prose
The haircare brand inspires confidence with a few checkmark emojis.
Kimai
The jewelry brand Kimai’s minimal use of emojis is in line with the brand's personality.
Dossier
We notice that fragrance brands have a lot of fun with emojis in subject lines. Case in point is this email from Dossier featuring their spring perfumes.
Parade
Parade is an underwear brand with engaging and vibrant creatives. Their subject lines are no exception.
Email inspiration for emojis and more: Panoramata
That ends this quick guide to emoji use in email marketing, particularly for subject lines. We hope this gave you plenty of ideas to get started.
Want more ideas and inspiration? Check out our email swipe file with over 100 newsletter ideas you can use for your next campaign.
FAQs
Will using too many emojis make my emails go to spam?
Yes, excessive emoji use can trigger spam filters and make your emails appear unprofessional, so it’s best to use them sparingly and intentionally.
Are emojis suitable for all email campaigns?
While emojis can be effective in many campaigns, consider your brand image and target audience; some professional settings may require more reserved communication.
How can I tell if my emoji strategy is working?
Monitor your email open and engagement rates before and after implementing emojis to determine if there’s a positive impact; A/B testing different emoji strategies can also provide valuable data.
