This feature is in Alpha Testing. Please reach out to tiffany@knak.com if you would like to get early access!
Overview
The Symbol and Emoji Picker lets you insert emojis and special characters directly into text content while building emails in Knak.
This feature reduces the need to leave Knak to find emojis or symbols. It also helps you identify which emojis are supported by your connected Marketing Automation Platform (MAP).
How to use the Symbol and Emoji Picker
Open an email in the Knak editor.
Click inside a text block.
In the TinyMCE toolbar, click the Emoji Picker or Symbol Picker icon.
The picker opens in a modal window.
Insert an Emoji
Open the Symbol and Emoji Picker.
Browse the available emojis.
Select an emoji.
The emoji is inserted into your text content.
Filter Emojis by Platform Compatibility
If your account is connected to a supported Marketing Automation Platform (MAP), you may see additional filter options.
Available filters include:
All Emojis
Marketo Supported Emojis
Eloqua Supported Emojis
Veeva Supported Emojis
These filters help you identify emojis that are safe to use in your connected platform.
Unsupported Emoji Validation
If your content contains an unsupported emoji, Knak will prevent the content from syncing to that platform.
For example:
Insert an emoji that is not supported by Marketo.
Attempt to sync the email.
Knak displays a validation message.
Replace or remove the unsupported emoji.
Sync again.
Find Unsupported Emojis in Optimize
Unsupported emojis also appear in the Optimize tab.
During optimization checks, Knak scans your content and flags unsupported emojis.
This allows you to:
Review compatibility issues before syncing
Fix unsupported emojis quickly
Improve email quality before deployment
Best Practices for Using Emojis
Emojis can help draw attention to your content. They can also help communicate tone quickly. Use them thoughtfully to create the best experience for your audience.
Use Emojis Sparingly
Emojis are most effective when used intentionally. Using too many emojis can make content harder to scan. It can also reduce their impact.
Recommended:
Use one emoji at a time
Use emojis to highlight important content
Use emojis that support your message
Avoid:
Multiple emojis in a row
Emoji-heavy subject lines
Using emojis in every section of an email
Test Emoji Performance
Emoji performance varies by audience.
Some studies show positive engagement results. Other studies show little impact or negative results. Results depend on your subscribers, industry, and goals.
The best way to understand emoji performance is to run A/B tests with your own audience.
Consider testing:
Subject lines with and without emojis
Different emoji choices
Emoji placement within content
Keep Accessibility in Mind
Screen readers announce the name of each emoji.
For example, a waving hand emoji is read aloud as "waving hand."
If the same emoji appears multiple times, a screen reader announces it multiple times. This can create a poor experience for subscribers who rely on assistive technology.
Recommended:
Use a single emoji when appropriate
Keep emoji use limited in subject lines
Use emojis to support content, not replace it
Do Not Replace Words with Emojis
Emojis should complement your message.
Avoid replacing words or phrases with emojis. This can make content harder to read. It can also create accessibility challenges.
Recommended:
✅ "New product launch 🚀"
Avoid:
❌ "New 🚀 launch"
Choose Widely Recognized Emojis
Not all emojis are interpreted the same way.
Some emojis are unfamiliar to readers. Others may have different meanings depending on the audience.
Choose emojis that are easy to recognize at a glance.
Common examples include:
👋 Waving Hand
🚀 Rocket
🎉 Party Popper
⏰ Alarm Clock
✅ Check Mark
Consider Cross-Platform Rendering
Emoji appearance can vary across devices and operating systems.
An emoji may look different on:
Apple devices
Android devices
Windows devices
In some cases, certain emojis may not display consistently across platforms.
To reduce rendering issues:
Use common emojis
Avoid obscure or newly introduced emojis
Test emails across devices when possible
Align Emojis with Your Brand
Choose emojis that match your brand voice and tone.
A formal brand may benefit from simple, professional emoji choices. A more casual brand may have greater flexibility.
Consider creating a small set of approved emojis for your team.
Examples of commonly brand-friendly emojis include:
👋 Waving Hand
🚀 Rocket
🎉 Party Popper
⏰ Alarm Clock
⭐ Star
Using a consistent set of emojis can help strengthen brand recognition across campaigns.
Need more help? Contact support via live chat using the chat bubble in the bottom right corner or email support@knak.com.