ℹ️
Information Symbol
in-fər-MAY-shən
Definitions
1
Symbols · Communication
Very Common
Indicates the availability of information or help. Used to highlight important details, direct to resources, or signal the presence of additional content.
Commonly used in digital interfaces, customer service, and informational contexts. Often appears as a blue circle with a lowercase 'i'.
For more details about our services, click ℹ️
Website/App interface
ℹ️ This train will be delayed by approximately 15 minutes
Transportation announcement
Derived from information desks in public spaces, this symbol has become a universal indicator for help or details across digital platforms.
2
Communication · Digital
Common
Used in messaging to preface important announcements, disclaimers, or factual corrections. Signals that what follows is informative rather than conversational.
Often appears at the beginning of a message to indicate its informational nature.
ℹ️ Just to let everyone know, the meeting has been moved to 3pm tomorrow
Group chat
Has evolved from a UI element to a conversational marker that helps distinguish informational content from casual chat.
Evolution Timeline
2011
Inclusion in Unicode 6.0 as an information symbol for digital interfaces.
Growing need for standardized information indicators across platforms
2015
Transition from UI element to conversational marker in messaging apps.
Increased use of emoji in professional communication
Cultural Context
The information symbol originated from physical information desks in public spaces before becoming a standard UI element in digital interfaces.
Has evolved beyond its original purpose as a static symbol to become a conversational marker that frames the context of a message.
Regional Variations
United States
Frequently used in customer service contexts and public information systems.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Primarily used in its intended context for marking informational content in digital communications.
Gen_Z: Used functionally rather than expressively. Common in educational contexts and for sharing factual content.
Older: Less frequently used, but recognized as an information indicator similar to physical information desks.
Millennials: Regularly used in professional communications and group chats to highlight important announcements.
Common Combinations
ℹ️👇
Important information follows below
Used to direct attention to details that follow in a message or post
ℹ️🔔
Information alert or notification
Used to highlight announcements or important updates
ℹ️⚠️
Important information with caution advised
Used for critical updates that require attention