Emojis make up a large portion of our digital communication, and using the right ones can take social copy to the next level.

However, some emojis have also taken on dual meanings beyond their literal image. These meanings can also vary among different generations and groups of people. As a brand, it’s important to know your audience when writing social copy that includes emojis to ensure your message carries the intended meaning (we’re looking at you, eggplant emoji).

Certain emojis can also be helpful for proactive and reactive engagement, portraying different meanings or softening messaging.

We asked one Gen Z and one Gen X representative what various emoji mean to them. Here are their answers. 

Gen Z: Shy, nervous flirting

Gen X: I have no idea what this means.

Gen Z: This can be taken as passive-aggressive

Gen X: Sounds good, cool.

Gen Z: Pretty please, or thank you.

Gen X: This is simply praying or hoping.

Gen Z: Sign of interest, I want to know more.

Gen X: I’m letting you know I see your message.

Gen Z: Annoyed, dealing with a minor inconvenience.

Gen X: Being a little silly.

Gen Z: This can also be passive-aggressive or annoyed.

Gen X: All good.

Gen Z: This can be used after saying something harsh to soften a blow

Gen X: Love it.

Gen Z: When someone looks stupid or did something stupid.

Gen X: You’re being a clown.

Gen Z: Embarrassment of oneself or on behalf of someone else.

Gen X: Crying laughing.

Gen Z: Confusion

Gen X: Thinking about it, not sure

Gen Z: I’m dead (of laughter or embarrassment).

Gen X: I’m dead.

Gen Z: Throwing tomatoes at something bad.

Gen X: I don’t know why you’d use a tomato.

Gen Z: On it, you got it, boss.

Gen X: Someone is being a little bossy.

So, as you can see, the way you interpret an emoji may not be the way someone else interprets it. Part of our job as social media marketers is making sure our messages hit the way we intend, so be sure to run your content by different types of people before posting.