Is it safe to use emojis in the email 'from name' field?
Summary
What email marketers say11Marketer opinions
Email marketer from EmailToolTester says that while emojis in subject lines can boost open rates, using them in the 'from' name is a gamble. There is risk of triggering spam filters, especially if the emoji doesn’t align with the email’s content or the brand. Perform A/B testing before wide-scale implementation.
Email marketer from Mailjet explains that while emojis can attract attention and convey emotion, using them in the sender name can negatively impact deliverability. Some email clients may not display emojis correctly, leading to rendering issues or spam filters. It's best to test with your audience before deploying.
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that a customer has been using emojis in the 'from' name for years without specific deliverability issues. Notes that they pay for Return Path Certification which may skew the results. Emphasizes the importance of engagement and relevance to subscribers.
Email marketer from HubSpot shares that using emojis in the ‘from’ name might make your emails stand out, but it's risky. Some mailbox providers may see it as spammy, especially if the emoji is irrelevant to your brand. Test thoroughly across different email clients and devices.
Email marketer from Reddit explains that while emojis in subject lines are common, using them in the ‘from’ name is riskier and less common. It might cause rendering issues, and certain email providers could flag it as spam. Test across different email clients and consider your audience's preferences.
Email marketer from Litmus responds that including emojis in the ‘from’ name is not widely adopted and could trigger spam filters. While it can grab attention, ensure it aligns with brand voice and test it extensively. Major email providers' rendering capabilities also need consideration.
Email marketer from Mailchimp shares that emojis in the 'from' name can be risky. While subject lines may benefit from emojis in terms of open rates, using them in the sender name is less common and may trigger spam filters or display incorrectly in some email clients. Always test your campaigns across different email providers to ensure a consistent user experience.
Email marketer from ActiveCampaign suggests that emojis in the 'from' name can be a double-edged sword. They can increase open rates by catching the eye, but they could also hurt deliverability if not used carefully. Consider your audience and brand identity before implementing, and monitor the impact on your email performance.
Email marketer from Email on Acid explains that while emojis in subject lines are common, using them in the 'from' name is less so and can be risky. Compatibility issues can arise if the email client doesn't support the emoji, and spam filters might flag the email. Testing is key to ensure consistent display and deliverability.
Email marketer from G2 responds that emojis can increase email engagement and open rates. However, they can also appear unprofessional or spammy, especially in the ‘from’ name. Conduct A/B tests to determine whether emojis improve or detract from the campaign's success. Always consider brand voice and audience preferences.
Email marketer from StackExchange shares that using emojis in the 'from' name can be problematic due to potential compatibility issues and spam filtering. Not all email clients support emojis, leading to rendering problems. It also increases the likelihood of being flagged as spam.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise cautions about display name attacks where malicious actors use Unicode characters (including look-alike characters and potentially emojis) in the 'From' name to impersonate legitimate senders. This can trick recipients into trusting the email. The best defense is user education and careful inspection of the sender's actual email address.
Expert from Email Geeks shares findings after running an inbox placement test, which suggests it might not be unsafe to put emoji in the friendly from. Reports spam folder delivery at Outlook.com, but inbox delivery everywhere else tested.
Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, recommends avoiding non-ASCII characters in the display name (From name). While some mailbox providers support them, others may not display them correctly, leading to rendering issues or even deliverability problems. Stick to standard ASCII characters for maximum compatibility.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Microsoft details acceptable characters in display names for email accounts but does not specifically discuss emoji support. Based on testing, it can be inferred that emoji support would vary depending on the specific version of Outlook and the encoding used. It recommends using standard characters to avoid display issues.
Documentation from RFC 2822 specifies the syntax for email addresses but does not explicitly prohibit the use of all special characters. However, it recommends that special characters should be avoided or used with caution to ensure compatibility across different systems. The 'from' name itself may have fewer restrictions than the email address part.
Documentation from Google states that Gmail generally supports Unicode characters in display names. However, it does not guarantee perfect rendering across all devices and browsers. It suggests testing with different email clients to ensure the name displays correctly. Furthermore, overly promotional or unusual characters may trigger spam filters.
Documentation from Apple regarding Mail does not explicitly forbid emojis in display names. However, older versions may not render them correctly, leading to display issues. Unicode support has improved in recent versions, but testing remains crucial.