<aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_yellow.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_yellow.svg" width="40px" /> This page is part of The Toolbox by Danny Smith.
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It's not always necessary to reply to a message in Slack. Sometimes we just need to communicate the fact that we've seen it, or that we’ve done it or that we like it. Slack allows us to react to messages with Emoji.
Emoji responses are incredibly important in distributed teams. When we say something in an office we usually get a whole load of non-verbal feedback – some people will smile, other will nod, you might get a 👍 or 👌 for across the office.
The first and last messages here have emoji responses.
One or two people might disagree and frown. In a distributed setting, we get none of this, and Emoji responses go a little way towards fixing that.
By responding to someone's message with an emoji, you're telling them that you've heard what they said. This might seem like a small thing, but it's really important.
Some companies have established conventions where certain Emoji have very specific meanings. For example…
| 👍 | I agree / good idea / I approve |
|---|---|
| 👎 | I disagree / I do not approve |
| 👌 | Great idea |
| ✅ | (In response to a request) I have done this |
| 👀 | (In response to a request or question) I am actively looking into this |
| 🏁 | (In response to a request or question) This has been completely resolved and no further action is needed by anyone. |
| ❤️ | Love this! |
| 🙏 | Thank you! |