Emojis Boost Emotional Connection in Text Messages, Study Finds

In a world increasingly driven by digital conversations, a smiley face or a thumbs-up might be doing more emotional heavy lifting than we realize. A new study published in the open-access journal PLOS One reveals that the use of emojis in text messages can significantly enhance perceptions of attentiveness, closeness, and relationship satisfaction—not just in romantic relationships, but across all social connections.

Conducted by Eun Huh, a researcher from the University of Texas at Austin, the study sheds light on how simple visual symbols are helping bridge emotional gaps in text-based communication, which has become the dominant form of interaction in many people’s lives.

The Study: Measuring the Power of a 😊

The research involved 260 adults aged 23 to 67 who were asked to read 15 different text message exchanges between fictional partners. Some of these digital conversations included emojis, while others contained only plain text. Participants were then asked to imagine themselves as the message sender and rate the emotional responsiveness of their texting partner.

The findings were clear:
Messages with emojis consistently led to higher ratings of perceived responsiveness. That responsiveness, in turn, was strongly associated with feelings of closeness and satisfaction in the relationship.

“The study revealed that emojis can boost relationship satisfaction by signaling emotional attentiveness. Interestingly, it’s not the type of emoji that matters but simply their presence.

It’s Not Just Romance: Emojis and Everyday Relationships

Unlike previous research that has primarily focused on dating or romantic texting, this study emphasizes that emoji use can impact a wide range of relationships, including friendships, family dynamics, and even professional communication, depending on context.

In an era where physical cues like facial expressions and tone of voice are often missing from digital conversations, emojis act as surrogates for emotional nuance. A heart ❤️ might suggest care, a raised eyebrow 🤨 might signal skepticism, and a party popper 🎉 can add celebratory flair.

These visual cues help people feel “seen,” “heard,” and “understood” in digital spaces that often feel impersonal.

“Perceived responsiveness is one of the most important predictors of satisfaction in any relationship. Emojis function as subtle cues that let others know we’re emotionally engaged, even if it’s through a screen.

-Eun Huh

Does the Type of Emoji Matter?

One of the study’s more surprising insights was that face emojis and object emojis had virtually the same effect. Whether users sent a simple 😊 or a 🍕, the emotional impact was roughly the same.

This suggests that the mere presence of an emoji rather than its specific content acts as a kind of emotional placeholder, showing that the sender is making an extra effort to be expressive.

The Limitations: Real Texting Is More Complex

Of course, the study isn’t without its limitations. The scenarios participants reviewed were hypothetical, and the study examined only one side of a two-way interaction. In real life, emotional communication is messier, more dynamic, and heavily influenced by personal context, including tone, history, and timing.

Furthermore, overuse or forced use of emojis might come across as disingenuous. What works in a message to a close friend may not translate well in a formal or unfamiliar context.

Nonetheless, the controlled experimental design offers rare insight into the isolated effects of emojis, something few studies have managed to capture.

Why This Matters: Building Digital Empathy

As remote work, long-distance relationships, and social media become deeply embedded in daily life, understanding how to foster emotional connection through text is more important than ever.

Emojis, once dismissed as childish or superficial, are proving to be a core part of digital empathy, helping users maintain emotional ties in a world that’s increasingly mediated by screens.

Dr. Susan Ling, a digital communication expert at Stanford University who was not involved in the study, called the findings “a validation of something we’ve all intuitively felt: that emojis bring a human element back into sterile, text-based messaging.”

So, the next time you’re texting your friend about weekend plans, responding to your sibling’s update, or even just saying “hi” to someone you care about, consider dropping in an emoji. Not because it’s cute or trendy, but because it may genuinely make them feel closer to you.

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