A Dating App’s New Emoji Feature: Heart Eyes All Around

Key Points 

• Learning how to use a dating app’s new emoji reactions feature attracts more potential matches.

• With the Bumble dating app's new emoji reactions feature, you get a choice of nine images to send to your crush.

• Potential matches only see the reaction and comment if they swipe right on you. Compliments can be seen without swiping.

• Some emojis, like the unicorn, have hidden sexual meanings. 

• Thirty-two percent of Gen Z-ers have ended a relationship by using an emoji. 

“I love you. You’re devilishly hot, and you make me laugh so hard I feel like I could die!” Why spend several seconds of your precious time typing all that out? A popular dating app’s new emoji feature does that job for you with a single click. Why use words when a well-thought-out picture gets your message across? Plus, it saves your finger strength for more interesting things.

Bumble unveiled a new feature that lets you react to a potential match’s profile with emojis. The following guide teaches you how to use this dating app’s new emoji reaction feature and walks you through the pros and cons of expressing yourself with emojis in a romantic setting.

There are even some surprising secret meanings behind your favorite symbols, so read on to learn how to avoid a facepalm reaction to your new-age flirting.

What’s Bumble?

Bumble was launched in 2014 by a former Tinder executive who wanted to create a more feminist dating app.

On Bumble, women must initiate conversations with potential matches. This is in direct opposition to more traditional dating apps where either gender drops the first love bomb. It's empowering, but it also turns up the pressure to be creative and charming right off the bat.

Bumble is consistently rated highly amongst the hottest dating apps. Other popular (and mostly free) apps include Hinge, Tinder, and OkCupid, and some of them also include emoji reaction features. All of these apps allow you to send emojis in messages. Here’s a more in-depth breakdown of each app. 

What’s an Emoji?

An emoji is a small digital image used to convey a feeling or idea. They come standard with all smartphones and are so famous that Adam Sandler once made a whole movie about them. The movie was bad, but the concept of emojis is still going strong! 

Not only do emojis add levity to a conversation, but they are also useful for communicating big ideas quickly. First-time users be warned — there’s a huge amount of subtext and hidden meanings attributed to certain emojis. More on that later.

What’s the Emoji Reaction Feature and How Do You Use It? 

Each Bumble profile includes a few pictures and responses to prompts. Scroll through your crush’s profile and wait until something specific catches your eye. Perhaps it's a picture of them windsurfing, their description of a perfect first date, or their claim that they do a spot-on Tony Soprano impression. When something piques your interest, tap the “react to this” button in the bottom left corner.

Nine emojis pop up. This is where it gets fun! Decide which one conveys how you’re feeling about that part of their profile and send it over.

Your Emoji Options:

• Heart Eyes: Great for when you’re smitten by an image or that Tony Soprano impression! 

• Crying Laughing: If they gave you the giggles, tell them so. 

• Shocked Face: This one is tricky. Use it if you see something really impressive, or if they’re so hot they leave you speechless. 

• Sweating But Happy: For when you’re attracted but also nervous. It’s flirty but vulnerable at the same time. 

• Sunglasses Face: Using this means you think they’re really cool. It’s a suave move that says "game recognizes game." 

• Monkey Shy Face: A cute way to say, “You’re hot, but I’m shy!”

• Hands Up: For when you heartily agree with something they said or did. 

• Clapping Hands: This is the less rowdy version of the previous emoji. It basically means “way to go!”

• 100: Using this means not only do you agree with something, but you also scream it from the rooftops. 

The app even lets you add a comment with your emoji reaction. This is good because some of those need a little more context. 

For example, You nailed the Tony voice! I've seen that show 15 times!" is a stellar use of this feature. It says specifically what you liked about them, and offers insight into who you are as a person. Bada-bing, you're making moves!

The only caveat here is your crush only sees your reaction or comment if they also match with you. If they do match with you, that reaction counts as making the first move. 

Sending a quick emoji reaction is the perfect approach to breaking the ice without needing to come up with a real zinger of a clever opening line. A picture, even if it’s one of an embarrassed monkey, is worth a thousand words! 

How Do Emoji Reactions Compare to the Compliment Feature?

The emoji reaction feature is very similar to the Bumble Compliment feature with a few notable exceptions. The Bumble Compliment feature lets you comment on a specific part of a person’s profile even before you match. However, your compliment counts as a right swipe, so only send one to a person you’re genuinely interested in. 

If someone sends you a compliment that makes you smile, swipe right on them. The compliment shows up in your chat. Act fast because you only have 24 hours to respond before your match expires. 

Unlike emoji reactions, potential matches see who compliments them before swiping. Sending a thoughtful compliment helps you stand out amongst the crowd of suitors. Go deeper than a simple “you’re so hot!” Really look at the image or text you’re complimenting. What is it saying about that person as a whole? What specific things does it make you think of? Use all that information to craft a meaningful opening gambit. 

You're only allowed one compliment per day in the free version of Bumble. Buy additional compliments by writing out your compliment and selecting the number you want to buy. You use one to send your message and the rest are saved for later. Purchased compliments don’t expire.

Emoji reactions are free, so send out as many as you want per day. It’s the more cost-effective option, but remember, people only see it once you match. 

Why Use Emojis in Dating Apps?

Beyond the reactions feature, there are myriad ways to use emojis to find your person. According to Adobe's 2022 study, the types of emojis someone sends say a lot about their personality. 73 percent of those surveyed say that adding an emoji to a message paints you as cool, friendly, and funny. It’s a move that adds levity and playfulness, which is good because dating is supposed to be fun.

Some people view messages with perfect grammar, long sentences, and SAT-ready punctuation as stodgy and asexual. You're trying to flirt, not read a dissertation! The goal is to sound smart but not intimidating.

An emoji instantly telegraphs that you’re a person with a cheeky side. 60 percent of the survey participants also said that seeing emojis in messages even had a positive impact on their mental health. Nothing like a flirting method that’s good for your brain and your heart.

There’s also evidence that emojis help people make personal connections in an increasingly online world. An overwhelming majority of U.S. emoji users — 88 percent to be exact– say that they are more likely to feel empathetic towards people who use emojis. It makes sense. You don’t need to speak the same language to understand what someone’s communicating via emoji. These little images transcend class, culture, and other barriers that usually keep us apart. 

Typeface designer Paul D. Hunt, who is quoted in the Adobe survey, says that using emojis also shows vulnerability and emotional intelligence: “Emoji usage and being able to communicate emotionally digitally, is part of the expected package of emotional maturity.” Being able to express yourself well with all the tools available in the early stages of a relationship bodes well for your shared future.

What Are the Best Emojis for Flirting?

The five most popular emojis in the United States are the crying laughing face (), thumbs up (), red heart (), sideways laughing face (), and the single tear crying face (). These are great to use in a message with a few caveats. 

Some people see the red heart as unimaginative. It is the stereotypical symbol of love after all. Why not substitute it for one of the 15 other heart color options? Use color theory to subtly convey a message. For example, yellow is associated with happiness and optimism. Sending a yellow heart versus a red one says “I’m so excited to see you” while also making a unique impression. 

Demonstrate love at first sight with the sign language emoji (). It’s creative and intelligent. If your date doesn’t understand what it means, explain it! Who doesn’t love someone who is good with their hands? 

Different colored hearts in a profile also imply sexual orientation. People use the color combination of the flag that represents their sexual identity. For example, a pink (), purple (), and blue heart () next to each other symbolizes bisexuality. It’s a fun and creative way to wear your pride on your profile’s sleeve. 

What Are the Worst Emojis for Flirting?

According to the survey mentioned above, there are three emojis that most people consider deal breakers. The smiling poop (), the angry face (), and the eggplant () are major turnoffs. 

These symbols convey immaturity or open hostility. The eggplant even represents a phallic image, so it’s best to avoid using it with people you’ve just met. In general, you don’t want your opening message to be mean, aggressively sexual, or tinged with potty humor. When in doubt, choose cuteness over crudeness every time.

The three most misunderstood emojis as of 2023 are the cowboy face (), the cherries (), and the upside-down smile (). That's not to say you can't use these. You just have to include a little bit of explanation. Be warned, though — the cherries mean anything from breasts to butts to testicles. It really makes your trip to the grocery store feel a little less wholesome.

Think of emojis as a seasoning to a conversation rather than the whole dish. Sprinkle it into conversations, but don’t go overboard. Some users even feel that a message with too many emojis looks childish. Use them to express yourself without giving the impression that you ONLY know how to communicate via images. If your message is 99 percent pictures, your text looks more like a hieroglyphic and less like a love letter. 

What Emojis Have Hidden Meanings? 

The fantastic thing about emojis is that they have literal meanings and interpretations that crop up colloquially. 50 percent of emoji users report applying different meanings to these simple images than the creator intended.

Hunt says this is a feature, not a bug: “One of my favorite things about emojis is their ever-changing nature. Meaning only arises in the context of communication with others, and emojis mean whatever you want them to mean." It's an invitation to creativity rather than a test you're set up to fail.

Frequent Flyer Emojis

Here are some of the most common emojis used on the dating scene and what they actually stand for.

If you see someone with a unicorn () in their profile, they aren’t trying to tell you they’re a horse girl. Unicorn is slang for a person interested in engaging in a threesome. This adventurous soul gets this moniker because they are rare to find.

A few features define the majority of unicorns. A unicorn is on the app looking for couples. They tend to be bisexual or pansexual. In general, they're interested in a friend-with-benefits situation, a one-night stand, or a long-term polyamorous relationship. Monogamy isn’t typically on the menu for a unicorn. A sexy unicorn is worth its weight in sparkles if you’re in a polyamorous relationship or a couple looking to spice things up for a night.

The purple devil emoji () is a fun way to respond to spicy images or text. It conveys that you like what you see and are ready for some sinful interactions. 

It's tempting to send your crush sweat droplets () to imply that you really want to take them to your favorite spin class — but don’t! This innocuous emoji has come to mean ejaculation. It’s an overt sexual response to a sext or a spicy picture. 

Speaking of spice, emoji users often head straight to the produce section to describe provocative body parts. The peach emoji () is used when talking about tushies.

The eggplant emoji () symbolizes phallic genitalia but it’s a little played out. The banana () is a slightly more a-peel-ing take on this trend. 

There are also food-related emojis for referring to vulvas. The taco () is a common euphemism. For a sweeter option, users employ the cookie () to mean the same thing.

Some emojis represent different lifestyles. Someone who claims to be “leaves emoji friendly” () is signaling they’re a fan of marijuana. A profile marked with a pineapple () is attempting to attract fellow swingers — as in people who engage in group sex or happily swap partners. 

Now that the raunchy stuff is out of the way, here are some sweeter symbols. 

Someone who uses the pointer finger emoji twice () is telling you they’re a bit shy. It’s meant to represent that they’re twiddling their fingers nervously. Use it when asking someone out or revealing something vulnerable. It shows that you're seeking validation and comfort. If you like them, respond with something bold so they know their leap of faith is not in vain. 

At first glance, the pleading eyes emoji () seems like a sign of distress. The actual meaning is closer to the double-pointer finger — the user is telling you that they’re nervous. Use this emoji to represent puppy eyes. Think of it as a visual “pretty, pretty please?” It’s meant to be coquettish and whimsical. 

A savvy swiper combines a few of these emojis to represent more complex phrases. The peach with a telephone is a direct line for a booty call. Combining the devil with the eggplant is a saucy technique for signaling arousal. Mixing the pleading eyes with the double-pointer fingers shows you want to be extra adorable. 

If you come across an emoji whose meaning you don’t recognize, feel free to ask the person using it. It’s a great conversation starter. Signaling that you’re curious is bound to get some hearts aimed at you. 

How to Respond When Someone Sends You an Emoji

The beauty of emojis is that they are meant to let your creative — or freak — flag fly! Don't get so caught up in using them right, but instead, use them to help express yourself.

It’s bold and vulnerable to tell someone how you feel, so don’t leave your crush hanging. One response option is to mirror the emoji they sent you. This is a cheeky way to hint that the feeling is mutual. 

Another is to send them your own variation of the emoji they sent. If they dashed off a heart eyes (), hit them with the kitten version of that same emoji ().  

Try escalating the emotion shown by their emoji. Meet a closed-mouth smile () with an exuberant toothy grin () if you’re really feeling them. 

Let your feelings be your guide and respond with an emoji that conveys the emotions your match stirred in you. The smiling face with hearts () means their message gave you warm fuzzies. The hot face () indicates that they gave you the fuzzies but below the belt this time! Use the smiling face with open hands () to give someone a virtual hug. This is also a good response when someone’s going through a hard time. 

If someone sends you a flirtatious emoji but you see them more as a friend, respond to their advances with a fist bump () and a playful “thanks bud!” Whatever you do, don’t use the fist to respond to an unwanted sexy text. In that context, it implies fondling instead of friendliness. 

When to Avoid Using Emojis

There’s a time and a place for everything, and a serious situation does not warrant an emoji.

If your conversation has escalated to dark or emotionally tough subjects, leave the pictures behind. Listen and respond empathetically with words instead. A phone call might even be in order if things get really heated or intense. When in doubt, say things in your own voice rather than letting the images speak for you. 

Never use emojis to end a relationship — even though 32 percent of Gen Z-ers say they’ve done just that. It’s callous and impersonal. The only thing worse than ghosting someone is breaking up with them with the ghost emoji ().

Emojis allow you to express big emotions, but they do have a playful bent to them that isn't tonally appropriate in all situations. Use your best judgment.

Get Out There and Express Yourself

The beauty of emojis is that they give you so many fun methods to communicate. They're also evolving all the time!

Each new software update brings brand-new emojis. More inclusive options like figures in wheelchairs, ears with hearing aids, and skin tones all over the spectrum are rolling out every day. There have never been more ways to express yourself and attract the romantic partner that's right for you.

Sending and interpreting emojis adds an intriguing layer to online dating. It pushes you to stay up-to-date and ask questions. Honing your abstract thinking skills in this way makes you a more intelligent lover. Take chances and get creative. Before you know it, you'll be using this information to find the person who gives you true heart eyes.