The little face icon that sometimes appears on LinkedIn messages indicates that the message you received contains emojis or emoticons. When someone includes emoji icons such as a smiley face, thumbs up, heart, etc. in their LinkedIn message to you, LinkedIn automatically replaces the emojis with a generic face icon. This is done to notify you that the message contains emojis that may not display properly on all devices or platforms.
LinkedIn substitutes emojis with the face icon as a way to preserve the original intent of the message sender. The emojis they typed are meant to convey tone, emotion, or non-verbal cues just like facial expressions and body language do during in-person conversations. But since emojis may not appear properly when viewed on certain browsers or operating systems, LinkedIn shows the face icon instead to signify, “Hey, just so you know, there were emojis used here.”
Why does LinkedIn replace emojis with the face icon?
There are a few reasons why LinkedIn displays the face icon rather than the actual emojis sent in a message:
- Emoji compatibility issues – Emojis may appear differently across various device platforms. The face icon ensures the tone of the message with emojis comes across regardless of device or operating system.
- Avoids missing emojis – If emojis don’t render properly, the face icon clues the recipient in that there was an emoji meant to be displayed.
- Professionalism – LinkedIn aims to maintain a professional environment. Showing generic icons prevents misinterpretation of potentially unprofessional emojis.
- Accessibility – The face icon allows visually impaired users relying on screen readers to know the message contains emojis.
So in summary, LinkedIn uses the face icon as a universal symbol to convey “this message includes emojis” while avoiding potential rendering issues, miscommunications, and unprofessionalism that could occur from emoji images.
What type of emojis trigger the face icon on LinkedIn?
Pretty much any emoji or emoticon typed into a LinkedIn message can trigger the face icon to display. This includes the various smiley faces, hand gestures, celebration icons, animals, food items, objects, symbols, flags, etc. Even emoji sequences meant to represent more complex concepts will result in just the single generic face icon on the receiving end.
The most common emojis that tend to get replaced with the icon are the smiley faces conveying emotions, like:
- Smiley face 🙂
- Winky face 😉
- Laughing/crying face 😀
- Sad face 🙁
- Angry face >:(
But again, any and all emojis from the emoji keyboard options get substituted, not just the facial expression ones. So for example, if you send a message with a thumbs up, clapping hands, Rocket Ship, flexing arm, or any other emoji, the recipient will just see the generic face icon indicator.
Does the face icon appear on all LinkedIn messages with emojis?
For the most part, yes, the face icon does replace all emojis used in LinkedIn messages. However, there are a couple exceptions:
- Mobile app – When viewing LinkedIn messages in the iOS or Android app, users will see the actual emoji images used rather than the face icon.
- LinkedIn视频 meetings – If you use emojis during a LinkedIn视频 meeting chat, participants will see the actual emoji images.
So the instances where you’ll continue seeing the real emojis are primarily within LinkedIn’s own native apps. On the LinkedIn website itself, expect all message emojis to be swapped with the face icon.
Does the sender see the same face icon I see?
No, the face icon only appears for the recipient of the message. As the sender, you’ll still see the actual emoji images you typed displayed in the message on your end.
This allows you to properly convey your intended tone and meaning through emojis when composing your message. Meanwhile, the recipient’s view shows the face icon in place of those emojis to indicate your message contained them. But you as the sender continue seeing the emojis normally.
Can I view the original emojis if I receive the face icon?
Unfortunately there is no way to view the actual emoji images used if you receive a LinkedIn message with the face icon. The emojis themselves do not appear anywhere in the message on the receiving end.
Certain platforms like the LinkedIn mobile app will display the emojis. But otherwise, the only indication is the generic face icon substituting for where emojis were typed by the sender.
The icon itself reveals no details about which specific emojis were sent. However, when conversing back and forth with someone, you can often infer the likely emoji meaning from context.
Why don’t my emoji reactions show for recipients?
When reacting to a LinkedIn message using the emoji buttons below the message, the emoji reaction you select does not display to the recipient. Instead, they simply see “1 Reaction” text.
This is done for the same reasons actual emoji images get replaced elsewhere – compatibility and professionalism. Since emoji reactions don’t convey as much meaning, LinkedIn simply informs the recipient that their message received a reaction without specifying which emoji was used.
Does the face icon make LinkedIn messages less personal?
Some users feel that substituting emojis with a generic icon makes LinkedIn messaging feel less personal and more sterile. Emojis can convey tone and emotion, so removing them strips that humanity away.
However, the face icon still serves its main purpose – notifying you that the sender used emojis in their message. This allows you to infer they likely intended to set a lighthearted, celebrate, positive, or other such tone using those emojis. So the intent still comes across to some degree.
Additionally, LinkedIn aims to maintain professional decorum in its community, so showing emojis could potentially be misconstrued or overused. The face icon strikes a balance of preserving professionalism while signaling the emotiveness intended.
Should I avoid using emojis in LinkedIn messages?
Since emojis get replaced anyway, some wonder if they should avoid using them on LinkedIn altogether. However, there are still benefits to including relevant emojis in your messages at times:
- Conveys tone – Even if recipients only see the face icon, they’ll know you meant to set a lighthearted or celebratory tone, for example.
- Adds personality – Emojis can demonstrate emotion and give your messages personality that text alone may lack.
- Softens messages – Using occasional emojis can soften requests, critiques, or other potentially blunt messages.
- Universal symbol – The face icon translates your emojis into a symbol all recipients will understand.
So use your best judgment, but don’t avoid emojis entirely. They can help communicate and connect when used appropriately and in moderation.
Should I rely on recipients inferring my intended tone from the face icon?
It’s best not to rely solely on the face icon to convey tone and emotion for you. Since recipients can’t see which emojis you actually used, certain messages could potentially be misinterpreted.
That’s why it’s important to write your messages thoughtfully using words that clearly communicate your tone and intent. Use phrases like “Congratulations on your promotion!” rather than just a congratulatory emoji with the face icon.
Emojis should enhance the tone already set by your words, rather than hoping the face icon alone conveys your desired meaning. Write clearly, supplement with relevant emojis if desired, but don’t depend on just emojis to set the tone.
What do the other LinkedIn message icons mean?
In addition to the face icon covered here, there are a few other icon indicators that can appear on LinkedIn messages:
- Exclamation mark – Indicates your message was marked as important by the sender.
- Airplane – Displays when the sender has enabled LinkedIn messages to be read and replied to without a LinkedIn account.
- Paper clip – Means the message has a file attachment included.
So if you see an icon other than the ambiguous face, it signals one of these specific meanings related to that message.
KEYWORDS: LinkedIn emoji message icon
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