Emojis have become an integral part of digital communication in recent years. They allow us to express emotions and ideas in a fun and visual way. Many brands have also started using emojis in their marketing campaigns across social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Why do brands use emojis in their LinkedIn ads?
There are a few key reasons why brands use emojis in their LinkedIn ads:
- Emojis make ads more eye-catching and memorable. The visual icons stand out in the LinkedIn newsfeed.
- Emojis convey emotions and ideas quickly. Just a simple emoji can communicate excitement, fun, anger etc.
- Emojis add personality to otherwise dull and corporate brand messaging.
- Emojis drive more engagement as people react and respond more to visuals.
In short, emojis allow brands to connect better with their target audience and create a human, approachable tone even in brief ad formats.
How frequently are emojis used in LinkedIn ads?
Emoji usage in LinkedIn ads has been steadily rising over the past few years. Here are some key statistics on how frequently emojis appear in LinkedIn ads:
- A 2021 study by Socialinsider found that around 16% of sponsored LinkedIn posts contained at least 1 emoji.
- Software company Agorapulse analyzed 1 million random LinkedIn posts in 2022. They found 7.5% of LinkedIn ads used emojis compared to 4.5% of organic posts.
- InMobiβs research states that LinkedIn ads with emojis get 36% higher click-through rates compared to those without.
- According to Socialinsider, the most popular emojis used in LinkedIn ads are thumbs up π, clapping hands π, and smiling face π.
So while emojis are not yet ubiquitous, data indicates more and more brands are embracing emojis to boost their LinkedIn ad performance.
What types of emojis are typically used in LinkedIn ads?
When choosing emojis for LinkedIn ads, brands tend to pick options that:
- Convey professionalism and corporate culture vs overly casual emojis.
- Visualize ideas in a simple way e.g. lightbulb for ideas.
- Show positive emotions and connections e.g. smileys, high-five.
- Are relevant to their industry e.g. computer emoji for IT.
Here are some of the most commonly used emoji categories in LinkedIn ads:
Faces
π π π π π
Smileys and happy faces reflect a positive, cheerful brand.
People
π¨βπΌ π©βπΌ π¨βπ π©βπ π¨βπ» π©βπ»
Profession/occupation depictions show LinkedIn users in familiar situations.
Hand Gestures
π π€ π π π
Waving, shaking hands, thumbs up and clapping communicate engagement and human connection.
Objects
π‘ π π» π βοΈ π
Relevant objects like lightbulb, charts, books etc. visualize concepts.
Celebration
π π πΎ π₯ π
Party poppers, confetti, champagne etc. share excitement and accomplishments.
Nature
βοΈ π π΄ π π»
Sun, rainbows and flowers represent positive natural elements.
Food
β π π π₯ πΊ
Cups of coffee, apples, pizza, salad, beer etc. lighten the tone in moderation.
Transport
π π βοΈ π π
Cars, buses, planes and trains if related to the product/service.
How many emojis do brands use in a typical LinkedIn ad?
Most LinkedIn ads use emojis in moderation. Here are some common emoji usage patterns:
- 1-2 emojis in short copy ads to grab attention.
- 3-5 emojis sprinkled throughout longer copy ads.
- Single emoji in the ad headline/title.
- Relevant emojis next to key points in a list format ad.
Research by Socialinsider shows the majority (58%) of sponsored posts contain just 1 emoji. Around 12% have 2 emojis while 8% contain 3-4 emojis.
So simplistic and targeted emoji use is recommended over going overboard. Too many emojis may look unprofessional for the LinkedIn audience.
How do emojis impact LinkedIn ad performance?
Multiple studies have found that emojis typically enhance LinkedIn ad metrics when used properly:
- Higher click-through rates: InMobi data shows LinkedIn ads with emojis get 36% higher CTR vs those without. Socialinsiderβs analysis also saw a 31% increase in CTR with emojis.
- Increased engagement: According to Socialinsider, LinkedIn ads with emojis get 22% more likes and 19% more shares.
- Better conversion rates: A StudyEngine experiment found a 56% increase in conversions for LinkedIn ads using emojis compared to no emoji.
However, emojis should complement your message rather than overwhelm it. The ideal emoji usage varies by factors like ad objective, industry and audience demographics.
Best practices for using emojis in LinkedIn ads
Here are some tips to use emojis effectively in your LinkedIn ads:
- Limit emoji usage to 1-5 per ad. Too many emojis look unprofessional.
- Test different emojis to see which resonate most with your target audience.
- Use larger emojis sizes like 32pt or bigger for maximum impact.
- Make emojis relevant to your ad copy context and industry.
- Place emojis next to important elements like headings, lists, CTAs etc.
- Try animated emojis for extra dynamism.
- Avoid excessive slang or unclear emoji combinations.
- Proofread emoji copy on both mobile and desktop before publishing.
With the right strategy, emojis can boost your LinkedIn advertising results. But they shouldnβt be added arbitrarily. Aim for simplicity and relevance when incorporating emojis in your LinkedIn ads.
Conclusion
Emoji usage in LinkedIn ads is on the rise with up to 16% of sponsored posts now containing emojis according to 2021 data. LinkedIn research shows strategic use of 1-5 relevant emojis improves ad click-through rate, engagement and conversions.
The most popular emojis in LinkedIn ads are faces, people, hand gestures and objects. Brands focus on professional, positive and relevant emojis. With mindful usage, emojis can add personality to ads and attract more high-quality leads on LinkedIn.