Get All Access for $5/mo

Express Yourself: Twitter Testing Out Emoji Reaction Buttons If you aren't happy with the new 'like' buttons, you may get more options soon.

By Nina Zipkin

Anna Hoychuk | Shutterstock.com

Emojis are having a moment. Not only is the "tears of joy" emoji Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year, but major social networks are embracing these tiny, expressive icons as more nuanced ways to react to the news on your feed.

It seems that Twitter may be testing emoji-based reactions to tweets. So, soon, you may see all sorts of angry, happy and shocked faces throughout your Twitter feed. This discovery came after a user found emoji-reaction button options being tested in the developer aspect of Twitter's iOS app, according to Recode.

Related: The 2015 Word of the Year Is an Emoji You Use All the Time

However, when Casey Newton, an editor at The Verge asked for comment on the subject, the company's response was, while adorable, not super forthcoming:

This is just the latest move by Twitter to overhaul its user-communication strategy. Earlier this month, the company did away with the yellow star "favorite" button in favor of a pink heart-shaped "like" button. In a blog post rolling out the new feature, the embattled social platform said the change was a result of wanting to make the Twitter experience less confusing to new users.

Of the updated feature, the company explained that "you might like a lot of things, but not everything can be your favorite. The heart, in contrast, is a universal symbol that resonates across languages, cultures and time zones. The heart is more expressive, enabling you to convey a range of emotions and easily connect with people."

Related: Tell Us: How Much Do You Hate Twitter's Decision to Swap the Star Button for a Heart?

Now Twitter is saying that users <3 the hearts, (which incidentally, are animated to cheerfully spout glitter when you 'like' something). At San Francisco's Open Mobile Summit this week, Kevin Weil, Twitter's SVP of Product said that one week into the change, the company noted a 6 percent increase in users liking tweets over favorites.

Twitter isn't the only major platform to experiment with emojis and icons. Last month, Facebook started testing out a range of options to possibly join its thumbs up like button and in lieu of a dislike button. The reactions include a button that is a white heart in a pink background, and five expressive faces that are meant to convey "angry," "haha," "sad," "wow" and "yay."

Related: Forget a 'Dislike' Button. Facebook Is Testing Cute Emoji 'Reactions' Instead.

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

At Age 15, He Used Facebook Marketplace to Start a Side Hustle — Then It Became Something Much Bigger: 'Raised Over $1.6 Million'

Dylan Zajac, now a 21-year-old senior at Babson College, wanted to bridge the digital divide.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Innovation

These Entrepreneurs Created a League That Turns Gamers Into Pro Race Car Drivers: 'We're Giving Drivers a Sustainable Career Path'

Racing Prodigy's innovative E2Real sports league is lowering the high-cost barrier to entry for drivers to take their passion to the track.

Business News

OpenAI Just Released Its Text-to-Video Generator, Sora. Here's How the New AI Could Impact Small Businesses and Creators.

Sora has a variety of use cases for businesses, from social media campaigns to video creation.

Side Hustle

'I Just Hustled': She Earned More Than $300,000 Wrapping Gifts Last Year — and It All Started With a Side Hustle

When Michelle Hensley lost her husband to cancer, she needed to figure out how to earn an income for her family.

Growing a Business

This Cozy Coffee and Garden Shop Has Become a Staple in Its Community By Following 5 Smart Strategies

Maypop is a combination coffee and garden shop where a blend of community building and customer service creates an unforgettable experience.