Do all-emoji subject lines hurt email deliverability?
Summary
What email marketers say11Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that they use emojis in subject lines as a quick visual cue to identify emails they can delete without opening.
Email marketer from Mailchimp answers that the use of emojis in email subject lines can be effective, but it largely depends on the target audience and brand personality. Overusing them can lead to deliverability issues. A/B testing is recommended to determine whether emojis improve or hinder performance.
Email marketer from Campaign Monitor recommends that while emojis can add visual appeal, it is critical that they are relevant to your content. Overusing emojis may lead to lower deliverability rates due to being flagged by spam filters. Use them strategically and test with your audience.
Email marketer from Email Geeks reminds users that emoji appearance varies across apps and operating systems, and some may not be universally supported.
Email marketer from Mailjet shares that emojis can help your emails stand out, but it's important to use them strategically. Too many emojis can make your emails look spammy, which can hurt your sender reputation and deliverability. They suggest using them sparingly and ensuring they are relevant to your message.
Email marketer from Neil Patel's Blog shares that using emojis in subject lines can increase open rates because they stand out in the inbox, but overuse can make your email look like spam, negatively affecting deliverability. Test your audience to find the right amount.
Email marketer from Quora responds with insights that emojis can catch the reader’s eye, increasing open rates. However, excessive use may cause your emails to be marked as spam, impacting deliverability negatively. Knowing your audience is key.
Email marketer from HubSpot Blog explains that while emojis can boost engagement, some mailbox providers may flag emails with excessive emojis as spam. Deliverability can suffer if spam filters are triggered. They recommend A/B testing to determine the impact on your audience.
Email marketer from OptinMonster explains that emojis in subject lines can increase open rates and engagement but should be used sparingly and tested. Using too many can damage your sender reputation and negatively affect deliverability.
Email marketer from EmailGeek Forums discusses that while emojis can increase open rates, it's essential to consider your target audience. Overusing them, especially in B2B communications, may lead to lower deliverability due to being flagged as spam.
Email marketer from Reddit in r/Emailmarketing shares from personal experience that emojis can work well, but it depends on the audience and brand. They suggest A/B testing with and without emojis to see what resonates best, but advise against using too many as it can look unprofessional.
What the experts say5Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks suggests avoiding all emojis, but notes that one or two are commonly used and that they recently received 25 out of 60 emails with emojis in the subject line.
Expert from Spamresource explains that subject line content, including the use of emojis, is one of many factors impacting deliverability. Spam filters analyze many elements of an email. They explain that using symbols or unusual characters can be a red flag, especially when combined with other factors that make an email appear suspicious.
Expert from Email Geeks shares that heavy use of emojis in subject lines is often associated with spam and phishing attempts, advising caution when testing with important clients. Also mentions that brands do use a few emojis with no problems.
Expert from Email Geeks points out that the cultural meanings of emojis differ by location and age group.
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that using emojis in subject lines doesn't automatically trigger spam filters, but their impact depends on several factors, including sender reputation, audience engagement, and the content of the email. They advise monitoring your deliverability metrics when using emojis.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Microsoft Support details sender guidelines which, although not directly mentioning emojis, states that subject lines should be clear and represent the message's content accurately. Misleading or excessive use of symbols could negatively affect your sender reputation and deliverability.
Documentation from SendGrid notes while discussing email design generally, that email content should be professional and relevant. Overusing emojis and symbols can affect deliverability by triggering spam filters. Consistent sender authentication helps maintain deliverability.
Documentation from Gmail Help notes that while not explicitly mentioning emojis, using clear, concise subject lines and avoiding anything that might trigger spam filters is crucial for deliverability. Poor formatting or spam-like content in subject lines will affect your domain's reputation.
Documentation from Litmus explains that deliverability depends on various factors, including subject line quality. Using excessive or irrelevant characters/symbols can negatively impact deliverability by triggering spam filters. Subject lines must be concise, relevant and engaging without appearing 'spammy'.