The colorful, expressive icons known as emojis—commonplace in casual online conversations—have entered the workplace. In Adobe’s 2019 Emoji Trend Report, the inaugural edition, 61% of emoji users surveyed said they had used them in a work setting. Though of that group, 72% said they were hesitant to use emojis at work for the first time.

Those who use emojis at work said it positively affects the likability of the person communicating with them and increases the sincerity of positive feedback or news. Sixty-four percent reported that they liked when others used emojis in work communications with them. 

Over half of those surveyed also said they would be more likely to engage with brands that used emojis in their communications. In email communications, 58% said they would be more likely to open an email with an emoji in the subject line, and 64% said the use of their favorite emoji would make them more likely to open an email.