First came the most popular bakeries and hashtags. Now come the emoji. After reviewing the images, videos, and stories that got us commenting and Liking in 2016, Instagram has rounded up the 10 emoji that reigned supreme.
While many of the oft-used emoji have something in common with the most popular hashtag of the year (#love), there are a few surprising winners among the bunch. The party hat? Really? Given that 2016 was the year of the U.S. election, I would have thought the American flag emoji would have flown high. Or at least the flexed arm that seemed to have strengthened almost every post I saw all year.
Oh well, maybe next year those will rise to the top. Click through to count down the most popular emoji to No. 1, and take a look at some of our favourite Insta posts that used them in the captions.
10. Blue love
This Simone Biles-Zac Efron moment makes us feel dreamy, too.
Photo: Apple.
9. Party on
Because there ain't no party like a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show party.
Photo: Apple.
8. Peace out
Requisite emoji and attitude when Mercury is in retrograde.
Photo: Apple.
7. A-okay by me
Black Tap appropriately used this to describe one of its sugar-packed monstrosities.
Photo: Apple.
6. So content
This makes us smile, too, Blake Lively.
Photo: Apple.
5. All the love
As in, Barack and Michelle forever.
Photo: Apple.
4. Hey, baby
Exactly how we feel about new glosses at the makeup counter.
Photo: Apple.
3. Seriously. Can't. Stop. Laughing.
The Obama-Biden memes brought this emoji to life over and over again.
Photo: Apple.
2. You + me
Dear Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, more adorable photos of baby Luna in 2017, please.
Photo: Apple.
1. True love
Nothing like some motivational mantras to give all the feels on a Monday.
Photo: Apple.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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