Every year on July 17, World Emoji Day pops up on our calendars 📅 and across our screens, timelines, and notifications. While it may seem like just a fun internet holiday, it’s actually a window into something much deeper: how we express ourselves, connect with brands, and make decisions in the digital age.
At Como, we believe loyalty is personal. And in today’s world, few things feel more personal, or universal, than emojis.
The Heartbeat of Digital Communication
Whether it’s a 🔥 in a push notification, a 🥳 at the end of a campaign title, or a 😂 in a customer’s reply to your message, emojis have become second nature. They’re not just add-ons; they’re emotional signals, tone-setters, and sometimes, even the message itself.
Here’s where it gets interesting: research by Marketing Dive shows that emojis increase message open rates, boost engagement, and make communication more relatable – especially among younger audiences like Gen Z and Alpha. And if your loyalty program isn’t tapping into that? You might be missing out on more than just clicks.
What Your Customers Are Telling You With Emojis
One of the best ways to understand digital culture is to look at which emojis people are using. The rise of 🥲 (the “I’m fine but not really” emoji aka sarcasm, vulnerability, humor in tough moments), 🫶 (a heartfelt alternative to the classic ❤️ aka appreciation, warmth and support), and the always-popular 😂 (aka shared laughter, reliability, viral appeal and still the #1 emoji globally! ) reveals a lot.
These aren’t just icons, they’re emotional cues. And if you’re a business using Como, these cues can shape your loyalty strategy in powerful ways.
So, What Can Brands Do With This?
Let’s talk practical. At Como, we help businesses personalize their customer engagement at scale. And emojis can add a whole new layer of depth to how you communicate:
1. Use Emojis to Set the Tone in Campaigns
Imagine sending a push like:
🍕 It’s Pizza O’Clock! Use your reward today before it disappears 🕛
vs.
Redeem your pizza reward before expiry.
Which one feels more you? Emojis bring tone and warmth that plain text can’t always achieve. Our clients see higher engagement when they humanize their messaging, emojis help with that.
2. Reflect Real Emotions in Segmentation
Did you know you can segment users based on behavior, frequency, or emotional triggers? On World Emoji Day, brands can run fun campaigns like:
“Are you feeling 😍 or 😩 today? Spin the wheel and let your emoji decide your offer.”
“Choose your emoji and get a mystery reward: 🎉 🎁 😋 🤩”
It’s fun, interactive, and taps into the same emotional decision-making customers already use on social media.
3. Add Emoji-Style Badges or Tiers
We’ve seen brands creatively name their loyalty tiers using emojis or unlockable icons. Think:
🌟 Silver Star Member
🔥 VIP Flame
💎 Diamond Club
With Como’s flexible loyalty engine, you can customize reward levels in a way that feels playful, memorable, and culturally relevant.
4. Use Emojis to Show Brand Personality
Your brand is more than your logo, it’s how you make customers feel. Emojis can help communicate your tone:
Quirky? Use 🤪, 🐥, 🍭
Premium? Use 🖤, 🥂, 💎
Family-friendly? Try 🧸, 🍦, 🎉
With Como, you have the tools to shape every part of the customer journey…from app design and messages to receipts and birthday rewards. Emojis are one more creative lever to build emotional connection.
Emojis Are the New Loyalty Language
As we celebrate World Emoji Day, let’s not see it as just a social media trend. Let’s see it as a reminder that customer loyalty isn’t built through transactions, it’s built through emotion.
At Como, we’re all about helping businesses turn everyday interactions into lasting relationships.
Here’s to more meaningful loyalty…one emoji at a time.
