I think they add personality and "flavor" to the meaning of your comment.  Don't you think?  

Everything cannot be 100% serious and there has to be some fun sometimes.

If you don't like em don't look at em!

I think they have a time and a place. If I'm writing a blog post I am doing so to be informative, raise awareness, or start a discussion to help build my business. I would never use an emoji in that setting. However, if I am answering a Q&A on "How much fun did you have over the 4th of July Weekend?!" I may be more enticed to use one.

I use them all the time.  It helps set the tone for my comments. 

Appropriate at times (I'll tend to agree, this tends to exclude the post itself).  Fully in moderation as well, so don't expect all my comments to have them, though you should expect to see them from me once in a while.

I still try to remind myself that it's okay for middle-aged men to use them.  See, that's two generalities that I have continue to struggle with.

I didnt know we could. Man am i behind. 

I like Raymond E. Camp 's answer. If you don't like them, don't use or look at them!

In the words of Bill Murray in Meatballs, "It really doesn't matter"!

Jennifer Provencio I don't use them, but if you want to, it's okay with me.

I don't care one way or another. 

I enjoy the use of emoticons for comments and short text type messages, as an expression of emotion.  We have the opportunity to express our personality and emotions with our words in longer formats, such as blog articles.  

It's very unprofessional within the blog post, but I suppose they could work on some comments, assuming they are positive ones.  I have not used them.

I don't have a problem with them, but I don't use them inside my public posts.... not into "cutesy."

 I think they are fine.  I feel like some posts would be fine having them also. Perhaps a fun "what's happening in my neighborhood" post.  Maybe not in a listing post.

I agree, Jennifer! 

I like them, a way to transfer an emotion on an emotionless medium.

I think they are fine

Emoticons are right there on the tool bar. 

Just like 'upvotes' and 'likes' if they are present, folks will click them.

So....are the not better than :) ?

And making tools available, such as spell ck and underline has proven beneficial to most.

I think it brings a opportunity to express, even if it goes unnoticed, a ounce of personality.

The use of emoticons would create an additional negative impact. We already see too many of them on Facebook.

I like it.

Not a fan of them in business, personal and friend use they have a place. I still don't use them a lot.

Jennifer, I think I used one last week but do not recall previous use.

I do not think it belongs in professional correspondence, but have no authority to sanction or deny what others do.  I am OLD SCHOOL, and type full words in my tests as well.  I still think like an IBM Selectric III.

I have no problem if someone uses them in comments on AR or FB, at leaat until the govt tells me I have to.  My dearest friend used them in her emails for years, but I have no recollection of returning such in a message.

Several years ago we had a new receptionist, just out of high school, and she put xoxo after her initials on phone memos.  Just not my cup of tea...