Instagram Emoji Guide: Best Practices, Captions, Reacts + More (2024)

Did you know that 92% of people use emoji icons when communicating online? Emoji reactions are more than just signs and symbols. They’re part of the modern lexicon!

By learning when and how to use emojis on Instagram, you can communicate meaning and impact with ease. Good emoji use can help your content stand out from the crowd, even starting new conversations and enhancing engagement outcomes. That’s the power of emoji comms!

So how can you turn the standard emoji keyboard into a tool for greatness for achieving on the Instagram app? Here’s everything you need to know.

What are Instagram Emojis?

First and foremost, an Instagram emoji is a communication tool. These tiny pictograms pack a punch when it comes to clarifying meaning and conveying emotions, even when you don’t know what to say.

Using a combination of Instagram’s in-built tools and your device’s standard emoji keyboard, you can apply a range of stickers and icons that help you define exactly what you’re feeling. Without typing a single word, you can show other users what you mean and even cross language barriers, reaching followers worldwide. How amazing is that?

Where Can You Use Instagram Emojis?

Emoji images can be used anywhere on the Instagram app, making them a great tool for sharing feelings and reactions regardless of the post type you’re working with.

Instagram stories have their own tools for emoji reactions, allowing you to send larger-than-life emoji reactions to other brands, creators, or users in response to their stories. Alternatively, you can search the entire emoji keyboard, already built into your device, and use these icons across posts, captions, comments, bios, and even direct messages.

Popular Instagram Emoji Meanings

So what do these tiny pictograms really mean? Some emoji icons are quite straightforward (like the heart icon), whereas others have taken on new meanings within the world of social media. Here are a few common definitions to keep in mind when sharing emojis on Instagram.

• 😊 = Happy or content
• 😇 = Angelic
• 😂 = Crying laughing
• 😭 = Crying
• 😍 = Love it
• 🙃 = Irony or sarcasm
• 😬 = Nervous or tense
• 😱 = Scared or shocked
• 😡 = Angry
• 😔 = Downcast or disappointed
• 🤢 = Disgusted
• 😴 = Tired or sleepy
• 😈 = Cheeky or mischievous
• 🤯 = Shocked
• 💩 = Poop, bad
• 🙌 = Celebration or appreciation
• 👏 = Congratulations
• 💪 = Proud or successful
• 👄 = Flirty, seductive
• 🙏 = Prayer or gratitude
• 💁‍♀️ = On point
• ⭐️ = Positivity or success
• 🌈 = Happiness or pride
• 🔥 = Amazing, on fire
• 🏆 = Winner, achievement
• 💗 = Love
• 💔 = Grief, loss, or heartbreak

What are Instagram Reactions?

The Instagram app also offers six in-built emoji reactions! These allow you to easily respond to stories and direct messages. Better yet, if none of the initial options quite suit your needs, you can expand to use a custom emoji, choosing any icon you want from your device’s standard emoji keyboard.

Why use Instagram reactions? Sometimes, you just don’t know what to say. When you react, you can express your emotions and let other users know that you’re thinking of them (and engaging with their content), even when you can’t find the words to describe what you’re feeling.

Plus, they’re a great tool to use when you’re managing a high volume of customer messages or comments, allowing you to acknowledge a user in one tap (without crafting an entire message).

Emoji reactions are best used via Instagram stories or direct messages, where you can react directly to the post or message in question with no further questions asked.

Instagram Reaction Meanings

On stories, the six main emoji reactions usually offer an option that suits your communication needs! In messages. These options are:

• 😂 = Laughing or amused
• 😮 = Shocked or surprised
• 😍 = In love or impressed
• 😢 = Sad or disappointed
• 👏 = Congratulations or encouragement
• 🔥 = Approval or agreement

Not liking any of these emoji reactions? Switch the toggle, and choose a bitmoji, which applies these emotions to your own custom character icon. Alternatively, use Instagram’s stickers feature to apply an all-new emoji response – or another sticker reaction entirely.

How to Change Your Emoji Reaction

Changing emoji reactions is easy on the ‘gram.

If you’re reacting to a story…

Step 1: Open the story you want to react to.

Step 2: Gently press and drag up from the bottom of the story screen.

Step 3: Tap on one of the six in-built emoji icons to send a reaction. Easy!

If you’re reacting to a message…

Step 1: Open Instagram, and navigate to the relevant message chat.

Step 2: Choose the message you want to react to and tap and hold this message box.

Step 3: Choose from the available reactions, or press the ‘+’ icon to expand the emoji keyboard.

Here, you can even customize which six emojis automatically display as your quick reactions for all Instagram messages.

Instagram Emoji Caption Ideas

Looking for a starting point when it comes to communicating effectively with emojis? Try these creative caption ideas, or use a variant for your next Instagram post.

• “Weekend adventures in the surf 🏝 🌤 🌊”
• “Family time is the best time 💕 🏡”
• “Coffee and cake = happiness ☕️ 🧁 🥰”
• “Puppy love 💕 🐶”
• “Feeling blessed 🙏 😇”
• “Love this winter weather ❄️ ☃️ 🧣”
• “Don’t miss this discount 🤑 🛍”

Instagram Emoji Bio Ideas

You can even use emojis to liven up your Instagram bio. This can help your Instagram profile stand out, visually representing the overall vibe of your account. This can help the right people find you. You can even make emoji additions to your Instagram name!

Try these emoji bio ideas:

• 🌈 = LGBTIQA+
• 🌏 = eco-conscious
• 📚 = book lover
• 🌊 = ocean lover
• 🧬 = scientist
• 💕 = in love
• ✈️ = traveller
• 🍕 = foodie
• 👗 = fashion guru
• 🐾 = pet owner

Best Practices for Emoji Accessibility

When using emojis on Instagram, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. These best practices can help you ensure that your Instagram symbols are as clear and universally accessible as possible. Ultimately, this will help your reach and content performance.

Use Emojis in Moderation

Emojis can be a valuable addition to your Instagram communications, but it’s best to use them in moderation. No one wants to interpret a long list of emojis, only to still be left wondering what you really mean.

Integrate emoji icons strategically as part of your broader communications strategy. Offer context where possible to clarify your intended meaning, and allow your emoji to be used to enhance your text, rather than the other way around.

Double-Check Emoji Screen-Read Descriptions

Some Instagram users, including those who are visually impaired, rely on screen readers to interpret visual elements, like emoji reactions. You need to know how these users will interpret your content.

Before you hit post on an emoji-heavy Instagram image or reel, double-check the screen-read descriptions. Does the name or description of your chosen emoji accurately demonstrate what you’re trying to say? If so, great! If not, you might need to rethink and choose a more closely aligned emoji.

Put Emojis at the End of Your Caption

You can add an emoji symbol anywhere you add text on Instagram, but where can these icons serve you best? The end of your caption is a great solution!

Ideally, try to feature emoji elements where these icons can help boost your meaning without distracting from your main caption. A good selection of emojis can be used to break up long paragraphs or introduce a visual pause before you add your Instagram hashtags.

Plann for Success

Only by understanding emoji meanings can you truly make the best decisions for your Instagram profile, driving engagement and communicating powerfully. With a strong set of emoji icons and stickers on your side, you can’t go wrong!

Ready to put your emoji skills to the test and publish richer, more engaging Instagram posts? Get started with a FREE 7-day trial of Plann, and schedule your emoji-optimized Instagram posts in no time.