Reacting to Instagram Messages: Your Ultimate Emoji Guide

By: Val Razo
how to laugh at instagram dm and use emojis

Last Updated on June 6, 2023 by Val Razo

Are you ready to become an Instagram messaging pro?

In this ultimate guide, we’ll teach you how to laugh at Instagram DMs, respond with message reactions, and utilize emoji reactions to make your conversations more lively and engaging.

You’ll learn everything you need to know to elevate your Instagram experience and make your direct messages stand out from the rest!

Table of Contents

Setting Up Your Instagram Account for Optimal Messaging Experience

First, let’s ensure your Instagram account is set up for the best messaging experience.

To do this, ensure you are using the latest app version, which you can update via the Play Store or App Store.

This will enable you to access all the newest messaging features, including the highly sought-after emoji responses.

Once you’ve updated your app, open it, and go to your Instagram profile. Here, you can customize your settings to your liking and get ready to dive into the world of IG messages.

how to laugh at instagram dm

How to Enable Emoji Reactions on Instagram and Use Them

Now that your account is up to date, let’s talk about using emoticons in your Insta messages.

To start, open a conversation or create a new one by tapping the messages icon in the top-right corner of the screen. Once you’re conversing, you can reply with emojis by tapping and holding.

You’ll see a pop-up window displaying a selection, such as the classic heart emoji.

Pick the emoji that best represents your reaction and watch as it appears next to the message.

How to Use Emoticons on iPhone and Android Devices

The process is similar on both iPhone and Android devices.

To reply with emoticons in a conversation, you only need to press and hold the message you’d like to respond to.

A selection of emojis will appear, and you can choose the one that best captures your reaction. If you change your mind, double-tap the message to remove the emoji and select a different one.

How to Respond to Messages on Instagram with Emojis

Adding emoticons to your replies can help convey the tone of your message and make your conversations more engaging.

To reply to a message with emoticons on Instagram, follow these simple steps:

  1. Tap the message input field at the bottom of the conversation.
  2. Open the emoji keyboard by tapping the emoji icon next to the text input field.
  3. Browse through the available emoticons and select the ones you’d like to include in your reply.
  4. Type your message, incorporating the selected emojis, and hit send.

By following these steps, you can craft expressive replies and react to Instagram messages like a pro!

Customizing Your Emoji List

Now that you know the basics of using emoticon reactions, it’s time to make your emoji list more personalized.

With custom emojis, you can express yourself even better and make your conversations more engaging.

To customize your list, tap a message and hold, then swipe left or right to view the emojis at the bottom of the screen.

You can select a different emoji from the available options, making finding the perfect reaction for every situation easier.

By customizing your list, you’ll be able to react with a wider range of emoticons and have more fun in your conversations.

How to customize your Instagram emojis

Making Conversations More Fun

Reacting to IG DMs with emoticons is a fantastic way to make your conversations more engaging and enjoyable.

Whether you’re exchanging messages with friends or interacting with your followers, emojis to reply to messages can help convey your emotions more effectively.

To react, tap and hold on the message you’d like to respond to, and choose an emoji from the list that appears. The selected emoji will then be added to the message without changing its original content.

Mastering the Language of Emoji Responds on Instagram

Emojis have transformed how we communicate online, allowing us to convey various emotions and reactions quickly and easily.

Incorporating this kind of reaction in your IG messages can create a more engaging and expressive conversation with your friends and followers. Here are some tips for using emoticons effectively:

  • Choose emojis that accurately represent your emotions or reactions.
  • Don’t overuse them; sometimes, a simple response is more appropriate.
  • Experiment with different emoticons to find the ones that best suit your personality and communication style.
  • Keep your emoji use appropriate for the context of your conversation.

By mastering the language of responding with emojis on Instagram, you’ll be able to create more dynamic, enjoyable conversations that leave a lasting impression.

The Benefits of Using Emojis in Instagram Messages

Using emojis can provide several benefits for both you and the recipients of your messages. Some of the main advantages include:

  • Expressiveness: Smileys allow you to convey your emotions more accurately than words alone, making your conversations richer and more meaningful.
  • Efficiency: Replying with emoticons can save time; you don’t need to write a full response. This is especially useful when you’re in a hurry or multitasking.
  • Engagement: They can make your messages more engaging and interesting, encouraging recipients to respond and participate in the conversation.
  • Icebreaking: If you’re messaging someone for the first time or want to lighten the mood, adding emoticons can help break the ice and create a friendlier atmosphere.

Using this kind of response in your Instagram messages allows you to enjoy more engaging, expressive, and enjoyable conversations with friends, followers, and everyone.

The Importance of Using Emojis Responsibly on Instagram

While emojis can be a fun and effective way to communicate on Instagram, using them responsibly is essential.

Remember that not everyone may interpret them the same way, and miscommunication can sometimes occur.

To ensure your emoji use is respectful and considerate, follow these guidelines:

  • Be mindful of your emojis, especially when communicating with people from different cultures or backgrounds. Some of them may have different meanings or connotations in different contexts.
  • Avoid using excessive or inappropriate emoticons, which can distract or be off-putting to others.
  • Be aware of your audience, and adjust your emoji use accordingly. For example, you may use more informal, playful emoticons with close friends while maintaining a more professional tone in conversations with colleagues or acquaintances.
  • If you’re unsure how an emoji may be perceived, it’s best to err on the side of caution and choose a different emoji or rely on words to convey your message.

Using emojis responsibly on Instagram can foster positive, respectful, and enjoyable conversations with many people.

Tips and Tricks for Replying to Messages with Emoticons in Instagram Messenger

Navigating the world of Instagram Messenger can be a breeze with a few tips and tricks up your sleeve. Here’s how you can make the most out of your emoticon reactions:

  1. To see emoji reactions from other participants in a group chat, tap on the specific message and view the reactions below it.
  2. To reply to messages on Instagram with an emoji, select the heart icon and choose a different emoji if desired.
  3. Remember, you can change your reaction at any time by tapping and holding on the message and selecting a new emoji.

With these tips, you’ll be a pro at using emojis to react on Instagram in no time.

What to Do If You Can’t Use Emojis on Instagram

If you find yourself in a situation where you can’t react with emojis on Instagram, don’t worry!

There are a few possible reasons why you might encounter this issue. First, make sure you’re using the latest version of the Instagram app.

You may not have access to the newest reaction features if you haven’t updated them recently. Next, check that you’re following the correct steps: tap and hold the message to send a heart, then select an emoji from the available options.

If you’re still experiencing issues, try restarting your device or reinstalling the IG app.

Building Strong Connections Through Emoticons on Instagram

Emojis are crucial in building and maintaining connections with people in the digital age.

On Instagram, emoticon reactions can help create stronger relationships by fostering more meaningful and engaging conversations.

Here are some ways to use them to strengthen your connections on the platform:

Show Empathy and Support

When someone shares their feelings or experiences with you, using emojis can help demonstrate that you understand and empathize with their situation.

For example, sending a heart emoji can convey warmth and support, while a sad face emoji can show that you share their sorrow.

Express Humor and Playfulness

Emojis can add a playful, light-hearted tone to your conversations, making them more enjoyable and memorable.

Sharing funny or quirky emoticon can spark laughter and foster camaraderie, ultimately bringing you closer to the people you interact with on Instagram.

Encourage Open Communication

Using emoticons can signal you’re open to more casual and relaxed communication.

This can help create a comfortable atmosphere where people feel at ease sharing their thoughts and feelings, promoting more genuine connections.

Reinforce Positive Reinforcement

Celebrate your friends’ and followers’ achievements and milestones by sending them congratulatory emojis.

This simple gesture can boost their morale and show them that you appreciate their efforts and are genuinely happy about their success.

Celebrate your friend's achievements with congratulatory emoticons

Strengthen Bonds in Group Conversations

Emojis can be particularly effective in group chats, where they can help create a sense of unity and shared experience among the participants.

By reacting this way to messages within the group, you can foster a sense of belonging and encourage more active participation from everyone involved.

Using them to convey empathy, humor, and support can create more engaging and enjoyable conversations that ultimately bring you closer to others.

By being mindful of the emojis you use and ensuring they are appropriate for the context of your conversations, you can create an atmosphere that fosters genuine connections and lasting relationships.

Enhance Your IG Messaging Experience

Since Instagram introduced emoji reactions, messaging on the platform has become more dynamic and expressive.

These responses allow you to communicate your feelings without typing out a lengthy response. As you continue using Instagram DM, remember to tap and hold or double-tap a message to react with emojis.

Don’t hesitate to modify your emoticon list for a more personalized experience.

And if you ever select the wrong emoji by accident, double-tap the message again to remove it and choose a new one.

Happy messaging!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I update messaging on my IG account to enable the emoji feature?

To ensure you can use emoticons in your direct messages on Instagram, you must install the latest version of the IG app on your device.

To update your app, visit your smartphone’s Play Store or App Store, search for Instagram, and tap the “Update” button if available.

Once your app is updated, you should be able to enjoy using emojis in your conversations.

Can I respond with emojis on Instagram in both group chats and individual messages?

Yes! Whether you’re engaged in an Instagram direct message with one person or participating in a group chat, you can definitely react with emojis on Instagram.

Just make sure you know how to react by following the steps outlined earlier in this article.

The emoji feature on Instagram is available for both individual and group conversations, making your chats more lively and expressive.

How can I press and hold a message to react with an emoji in Instagram DMs?

To react to a message on Instagram, press and hold it in the chat. When you do this, a row of emojis will appear above the message.

The default heart emoji will be selected, but you can swipe left or right to choose a different emoji.

Once you’ve found the perfect emoji, release your finger to send the reaction. The selected emoji will be added to the message in your Instagram account.

Is it possible to customize the emojis I use to react to messages on Instagram?

Yes, you can customize your Instagram DM reactions by selecting emojis from the available list.

When you press and hold a msg, you’ll see a row of emojis to choose from. Simply swipe left or right to find the perfect emoji from the list.

If you want to customize your reaction further, tap the “+” icon to access a wider range of emojis.

How can I laugh at an Instagram msg using emojis?

To laugh at an Instagram message using emoji reactions, press and hold the message you want to react to.

A row of emojis will appear above the message, and you can swipe left or right to find the perfect reaction.

Choose a laughing or smiling emoji from the options available on Instagram, and release your finger to send the reaction. Your chosen emoji will be added to the messages on IG using emoji reactions.

How to laugh to an Instagram message

Why am I unable to react to certain messages with emoticons on Instagram?

If you can’t react to messages with emoticons, there could be a few possible reasons.

Make sure you’re using the latest version of the Instagram app, as outdated versions may not have the reacting to Instagram feature.

Also, check that you’re following the correct steps to react with emojis on Instagram, as this article outlines.

If you’re still unable to respond with emoticons, consider restarting your device or reinstalling the Instagram app to resolve any issues that may be affecting your ability to react.

How can I change the emoji reaction after reacting to an Instagram message?

If you’ve already reacted to a message on Instagram and want to change your reaction, press and hold the message again.

This will bring up the row of emojis, allowing you to choose a new emoji to replace your initial reaction.

Release your finger to send the new reaction, and the previous emoji will be replaced.

This process works for both iOS and Android devices and can be used to update your reactions to any message in your Instagram DMs.

How can I unsend a message on Instagram and does it impact the emoji reactions?

If you accidentally sent a message on Instagram that you wish to delete or remove a message that you’ve added emoji reactions to, you can unsend it.

To unsend a message, tap and hold the message, then select “Unsend” from the options that appear.

Keep in mind that the recipient may still receive a notification that a message was sent, but they won’t see the content or any associated Instagram messages with emoticons.

Removing a message will also delete any related emoji reactions.

Can I save frequently used emojis to react faster to messages on Instagram?

While Instagram DMs don’t have a built-in feature to save frequently used emojis, you can still utilize your device’s native keyboard features to access your favorite emojis quickly.

Most smartphone keyboards have a section for recently used emojis, so when you react to Instagram messages frequently with specific emojis, they will be saved there for quick access.

This makes it easier to reply to messages on Instagram with your preferred emojis, even though they aren’t saved within the Instagram app itself.

Do I get notified when someone reacts to my Instagram messages with emojis?

Yes, you will receive a notification when someone uses emoji reactions on your Instagram messages.

The notification will show the sender’s name and a preview of the emoji they used to react to your message on Instagram.

You can tap the notification to open the chat and see the full context of the conversation. These notifications help you stay updated with ongoing chats and make it easier for you to reply to messages on Instagram promptly.

Can I use emoji reactions on Instagram if I primarily use Facebook Messenger to manage my messages?

Since Facebook owns Instagram, there is some level of integration between the two platforms.

However, when using Facebook Messenger to manage your messages, the emoticons on Instagram feature might not be accessible.

To access and use the full range of Instagram messaging features, including emoji reactions, it’s best to use the Instagram app itself.

You can still manage your Facebook and Instagram account messages separately through their respective apps to ensure the best experience for each platform.

Master the art of emoji reactions on Instagram and make your conversations more exciting than ever before.

Follow our step-by-step guide, and you’ll laugh at messages and react with emojis in no time.


Author Bio

Val Razo

Val Razo is a skilled professional in the field of Instagram Marketing. With over five years of experience as a freelance Social Media Marketing consultant, Val has assisted numerous small and medium-sized businesses in achieving their goals.