Do we have a policy on smileys? :)

Question

I hate smileys :D I know, that sounds strange from a 16-year old ^^ but I feel like smileys are lowering the professionalism of the network :(

I would ♥ to edit all posts with smileys, but fortunately I can keep myself under control O:)

But I still wonder: do we have a policy on the use of smileys?

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^{Related: Stack Overflow should have smileys and friend groups and especially this answer.}

^{Useful smileys are an exception of course.}

Answer 1

In questions and answers, smileys (and by extension, emojis) are almost always noise that detract from the core content, unless the question is about rendering, displaying or interacting with smileys.

Like most other minor forms of noise, feel free to remove them whenever you come across them. That said, I wouldn't edit just for a smiley alone.

As always, make sure your edits fix all the issues you can see, not just the trivial ones. (Particularly whilst your edits have to be reviewed.)

Answer 2

Although I can understand the ‘unprofessionalism’ thought, when we’re essentially scrutinizing someone’s work, it can ease tension or notes of hostility with a smiley or two :) (in comments, not on a post)