World Emoji Day 2025 Reflects Shifting Emoji Trends

World Emoji Day, celebrated on July 17, marks the influence of emojis in digital communication since their 1999 inception, with the date inspired by the calendar emoji. The 'Face with Tears of Joy' (😂) remains the most popular emoji globally and in the US, though the 'Loudly Crying Face' (😭) has recently overtaken it for expressing strong emotion. Research shows emojis improve digital interactions, making users appear more likable and responsive, and are increasingly important on social and dating platforms. The Unicode Consortium is set to approve new emojis, including a 'distorted face,' in September 2025. Artists and organizations such as Yiying Lu and Emojination are advocating for greater inclusivity and cultural representation in emoji design. While many emojis are universally loved, some, like the 'Pile of Poo' (💩), remain polarizing.