Reading Sub-Linguistic Communality through Reaction Emoji: An Examination of a Membership-Based Online Community on Discord

This study examines the use and meaning of reaction emoji within a membership-based online community on Discord. Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed 1,085 posts and corresponding reaction emoji from a chat room channel between 2020 and 2025. Quantitative analysis revealed that reaction emoji were used in 94% of posts, functioning as key nonverbal signals of engagement. Qualitative coding identified seven functional categories: acknowledgment, empathy, ritual, agreement, call, report, and self-presentation. Contextual analysis showed that emoji usage varied according to timing and interactional context—serving as signals for initiation, maintenance, or closure of exchanges. Reaction emoji not only supplement verbal communication but also structure social relationships and sustain a sense of community. The findings highlight how symbolic nonverbal acts support communality in asynchronous, text-based environments.