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Abstract
Research shows that emoji are not only used to express emotions but also to enhance the illocutionary force of messages or build social rapport (Pérez-Sabater 2019; Sampietro 2019; Alfano et al. 2021). The interaction between text content and emoji can influence perceptions of both the message and the sender (Butterworth et al. 2019; Hand et al. 2022). However, in professional contexts, emoji may negatively impact perception of competence (Glikson, Cheshin and van Kleef 2018). In the case of political figures, where their profile may intend to show a combination of friendliness and professionality, the use of emoji becomes particularly relevant. This paper examines the use of emoji in the Twitter/X bios of 350 Spanish members of parliaments (2019–2023). Results reveal that male right-wing politicians use emoji more frequently, while left-wing usage is mainly by women. Both groups primarily use emoji to emphasize political messages and personal information, highlighting their role in shaping politicians’ online personas.
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