Do you know that Gmail has emoji reactions?

Google rolled out emoji reactions to non-public Gmail accounts just a little over two years in the past, and I fully forgot about it till now — in all probability as a result of the choice is hidden inside a small, smiley face icon beside the Ahead button. However now, Google is bringing emoji reactions to all Workspace customers by default on February ninth, reminding me of their existence (and all of the instances I may’ve replied with a “thumbs-up” as a substitute of a full-blown message).

Choosing the inconspicuous smiley face button shows a spread of emoji you should utilize rather than a written response. In case your recipient is one other Gmail consumer, they’ll see your response on the backside of the e-mail, in addition to see the emoji as an replace to the thread of their inbox. Individuals utilizing different e mail suppliers — or if they’ve emoji reactions disabled — will obtain a separate e mail saying that you simply “reacted through Gmail.” Google launched emoji reactions as an opt-in function for Workspace customers final April, so you’ll have seen them hooked up to your work e mail earlier than this announcement.

Moreover, emails despatched to a number of individuals will present how many individuals reacted to the message, and with which emoji. It’s also possible to hover over every response to see who it was from. As famous by Google, you gained’t see the emoji response choice for all emails, together with if the message was despatched to a gaggle e mail checklist, if there are greater than 20 recipients, or for those who’ve “already despatched greater than 20 reactions to the identical message” (lol).

Now that I do know this function exists once more, I’m nonetheless undecided if I’m going to make use of it. Selecting an emoji could be simpler than saying, “Thanks,” however I’m undecided if I’m able to make my emails sound extra like my textual content messages.