Investigating the Negative Effects of Emojis in Facebook Sponsored Ads for Establishing Sustainable Marketing in Social Media

Emojis are prevalent in modern social media advertising. Despite this fact, little research can be found on its effects on consumer purchase intentions. This study seeks to examine purchase intentions in the context of Sponsored Ads on Facebook News Feeds, their perceived intrusiveness, and how the added factor of emoji presence can further affect consumer perception in order to suggest a pathway for establishing sustainable marketing strategies. We investigated the effect of emojis on consumers and then the extent to which ad personalization can attenuate intrusiveness to the point of influencing purchase intentions. In the empirical investigations (an online study) conducted, the study revealed several interesting findings. First, the emoji presence in Sponsored Ads on the News Feed did not prompt the users' perceived intrusiveness. Second, the emoji use led to decreased purchase intentions. Third, the perceived intrusiveness did not mediate the relationship between emoji presence (vs. absence) and purchase intentions. Lastly, the emoji presence decreased perceived intrusiveness and also increased purchase intentions when consumers perceived ads to be less personalized. The findings of this research provide both theoretical and managerial implications of the effects of emojis, and the reasons as to why their usage affects the desired ad goals when used in Sponsored Ads on Facebook from the perspective of sustainable marketing.