What are Soundmojis? Meet FB Messenger's New Feature

If you ever wished your emoji reactions were just a little bit… louder… then this update is for you!

Messenger Soundmojis mockups on mobile phones showing a laughing emoji sent in a chat

In July, Facebook announced a new feature called Soundmojis that lets users DM visuals that include pre-recorded sounds through chat. What kinds of sounds?

  • clapping 👏 emoji + sounds

  • crickets e🦗emoji + sounds

  • drumroll 🥁emoji + sounds

There are also some surprising options that include audio clips “from artists like Rebecca Black and TV shows and movies like Universal Pictures’ F9, NBC and Universal Television’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Netflix and Shondaland’s Bridgerton.” Some surprising combos highlighted by The Verge include:

  • hourglass ⏳+ Drake’s “you only live once, that’s the motto” lyric

  • sun ☀️+ a clip from Kanye West’s “Good Morning.”

  • fist 🤜 + Dominic Toretto’s “I don’t have friends, I got family” line from Fast & Furious 7

A library of Soundmojis is launching now and new options will continue to roll out overtime.

To check it out, head into your Messenger app and tap the smiley face to open the “expressions” menu. A new loudspeaker icon will let you preview and send Soundmojis.

Why it matters

This is a new way for people to engage with one another on Facebook. Enough said?

You might notice that this feature follows a few important social trends, though:

  1. Enhancing private/semi-private social interactions (Groups, DMs)

  2. Offering audio-based interactions (Clubhouse, Twitter Spaces)

  3. Offering new ways for channels to monetize partnerships — in this case, through audio clips from TV and music studios


Related Social Media News

Check out our latest social media updates below, or view all posts.

Here are a few more shareworthy items we’ve been reading this month…

Channel Updates & News:


Stories & Analysis


Looking for More Social Media Help?

The expert team at Dooley Social Studio helps brands get attention by being thoughtful about how they give it. Our goal is to make every social interaction with your company a remarkable one. Get in touch to find out how a partnership with Dooley Social Studio can grow your brand.