Google named the most popular emoji of the year

Tengrinews.kz — Google has analyzed 665 million emojis entered by users worldwide via the Gboard keyboard on Android smartphones to determine the most popular emoticon of 2025.
Which emoji took the top spot
First place went to the "Loudly Crying Face" — ????. It overtook previous leaders: the "Face with Tears of Joy" ???? and the "Rolling on the Floor Laughing" face ????.
It is noted that the "Loudly Crying Face" emoji is used for far more than just expressing genuine sadness. In messaging, this symbol can signify laughter, intense surprise, awkwardness, delight, or a sense of being overwhelmed by emotion. Google researchers attribute the rise in its popularity to Gen Z habits—its usage has surged by 37 percent over the past year.
"Loudly Crying Face," "Face with Tears of Joy," and "Rolling on the Floor Laughing" emojis. Screenshot: iPhoneTeenagers and Gen Z are increasingly moving away from the "Face with Tears of Joy" and "Rolling on the Floor Laughing" emojis, considering them too cliché. Researchers link this shift in preference to young people reimagining the meanings of older emojis.
While older generations still view these symbols as a clear way to show sincere laughter, younger users are opting for more dramatic or absurd options.
What else made the top list
The top ten includes:

???? — Loudly Crying Face;???? — Rolling on the Floor Laughing;???? — Face with Tears of Joy;❤️ — Red Heart;???? — Folded Hands;???? — Face Blowing a Kiss;???? — Smiling Face with Hearts;???? — Thumbs Up;???? — Smiling Face with Heart-Eyes;???? — Beaming Face with Smiling Eyes.

The fastest-growing emoji is the "Wilted Flower". Its usage skyrocketed by 190 percent over the year, propelling it to 93rd place in the rankings. It is typically sent to convey sadness, disappointment, or a sense of heartbreak.
The popularity of the "Moai" emoji has grown even more significantly in recent years. For instance, in 2021, it ranked 482nd, but by 2025, it rose to 33rd. Young people use it as a deadpan reaction—to show complete composure, slight indifference, or to maintain a "stone face" in an absurd situation.
"Wilted Rose" and "Moai" emojis. Screenshot: iPhone
"Emojis are outdated": What has replaced them
Meanwhile, emojis are no longer the sole language of online communication. Users are increasingly choosing stickers and GIFs, which allow for more specific reactions.
For example, instead of a single emoticon, one might send a recognizable clip from a TV series—a single image is often enough to convey sarcasm, disbelief, or shock. Sergeant Doakes from the series "Dexter" is particularly popular; the sticker is useful when you suspect something or know the truth but cannot prove it yet.
Another frequent choice is little Rohee, who has been dubbed the "queen of stickers and memes for WhatsApp" online.
Google notes that the ways people communicate using emojis are also shifting: familiar symbols are gaining new meanings, while older ones are gradually giving way to those that better align with modern internet culture.
Screenshots: WhatsApp and TikTok