Accessibility
Emoji, alt text and screen readers
Emoji are read aloud by screen readers, sometimes with long official names. A little restraint keeps a page usable without making it dull.
Emoji in body text
A screen reader may announce an emoji by its Unicode name. One or two can add tone; a long row can turn a sentence into noise. Use them where they carry meaning.
Images need alt text
If an emoji is rendered as an image, give it alternative text that describes its purpose in context. If the image is purely decorative, use an empty alt attribute so it is skipped.
Do not rely on emoji alone
An emoji is not a reliable label for a button, status or warning. Pair it with text, or use an accessible name that does not depend on the character being recognized.
Test with a screen reader
Listening to a page reveals problems that visual review misses. Check headings, link names, copied text and any emoji used as a visual marker.