Google releases emoji reactions for Meet video calls

Internet giant Google, has released emoji reactions to Google Meet users for video calls after it first announced the feature in 2022. Google said the emoji reactions will be first available on iOS and the web. It will eventually be available to everyone in the next few weeks, quoted on TechCrunch.

To post a reaction emoji, along with different skin tones, there’s a smile icon on the bottom pane to click on during the video call. When an emoji reaction is posted, a small badge will appear on the top-left corner of the user’s tile on the web. If multiple emoji reactions are posted simultaneously, a stream of reactions will appear on the left side, similar to a live video's comments.

There’s also an added function that the meeting host is able to turn off the feature, if it’s turned on by default.

In addition to the emoji reactions, the tech firm is also releasing a Workspace update for chats that allows users to start both an individual or a group chat. Google is removing the option to “Start group conversation” when users start typing names. Instead, when typing in one name, an individual chat can start while typing in several names will start a group conversation.

“With this update, users can create Chat conversations in one consistent and intuitive way, whether with one person or a group,” the company said in a blog post. 

Emojis today have become a part and parcel of our communication, especially in the world of marketing. According to Adobe's Global Emoji Trend Report in 2021 found that 60% of emoji users worldwide are likely to open an email or push notifications that contain emoji, especially if that emoji is their favourite (63%).

Meanwhile, 42% of global emoji users are more likely to purchase products that are advertised using emoji. Gen Zs (70%) and Millennials (63%), in particular, are likely to open an email or push notification with an emoji in the subject line. Also, nearly half of global emoji users are more likely to respond to a message if it contains an emoji (47%).

At the same time, the report found that brands come across as more relatable when they use emoji in online marketing (51%), and consumers are more likely to like, comment or share posts from brands on social media if emoji are included (50%).

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