Biggest texting red flags revealed – how many are you guilty of?
New research shows the texting habits Brits hate most – including emojis, abbreviations and getting left on read
With Valentine’s Day approaching, new research from Go.Compare shows that red flags aren’t just something to be aware of in your dating life – they could be showing up in your texts, too. A new survey from the comparison site quizzed 2,000 Brits about the texting and WhatsApp habits they hate the most, and there are a few common answers.
The survey found that the habit people hate most is when someone reads your message but doesn’t respond until later that day, or the next day. Over a quarter of people (28%) admitted it annoys them or they think it’s bad etiquette to be left on read.*
Others don’t like it when they’re added to a group without being asked first (28%) and when they receive a message written in all caps (25%). Overall, the texting habits that tick people off the most are:
|
|
Texting habit |
% of people who find this annoying / poor etiquette |
|
1 |
Reading a person’s message but not responding until later |
28% |
|
2 |
Adding someone to a group without asking first |
28% |
|
3 |
Sending messages in all CAPS |
25% |
|
4 |
Sending a ‘thumbs up’ or ‘heart’ reaction instead of replying |
21% |
|
5 |
Using abbreviations like ‘TY’ instead of ‘thank you |
20% |
|
6 |
Leaving a group chat without saying anything |
16% |
|
7 |
Sending too many GIFs |
16% |
|
8 |
Sending multiple short messages instead of one long text |
15% |
|
9 |
Using too many exclamation marks or question marks |
13% |
|
10 |
Using frequent emojis |
12% |
The data also revealed a strong generational divide, with the age groups disagreeing about the biggest messaging mistakes. For Gen Z, the biggest faux pas you can make is sending a thumbs up or heart reaction instead of replying – with 32% of 18-24-year-olds saying this is bad form.
Meanwhile, 25-34-year-olds get angrier about being left on read, with 31% admitting they’re not a fan of this. And for those aged 55+, getting added to a group without being asked first is the worst offence, with 30% citing this as annoying/poor etiquette.
Catherine Hiley, Go.Compare mobile spokesperson, said: “Our data shows people have some pretty strong opinions about what is and isn’t acceptable over text and WhatsApp – and I have to admit I’m guilty of a few of these texting habits myself.
“While judging how many GIFs is ‘too many’ might be a bit of a personal choice, it’s understandable why certain habits – like leaving your loved ones on read – could be received badly.
“Of course, if something happens to your phone, you won’t be able to reply to anything. Having the right insurance in place will mean that you can get a replacement as soon as possible (and respond before your nan gets too annoyed). There are a few ways to do this, whether it’s adding your mobile to your home contents policy, or looking at specific gadget insurance. In any case, shopping around on a comparison site will help you find the right cover for a great price.”
To learn more about mobile phone insurance, visit: https://www.gocompare.com/gadget-insurance/mobile-phone-insurance/.
//ENDS//
Contact Information
Rubie Barker
Notes to editors
* The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 UK Nationally Representative Consumers (aged 18+). The data was collected between 14.01.2026 - 16.01.2026. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.
For further information please contact:
Email Go.Compare@fdcomms.co.uk
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About Go.Compare
Go.Compare is a comparison website that enables people to compare the costs and features of a wide variety of insurance policies, financial products and energy tariffs.
It does not charge people to use its services and does not accept advertising or sponsored listings, so all product comparisons are unbiased. Go.Compare makes its money through fees paid by the providers of products that appear on its various comparison services when a customer buys through the site.
When it launched in 2006, it was the first comparison site to focus on displaying policy details rather than just listing prices, with the aim of helping people to make better-informed decisions when buying their insurance. It is this approach to comparing products that secured the company an invitation to join the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) in 2008, and it is still the only comparison site to be a member of this organisation.
Go.Compare has remained dedicated to helping people choose the most appropriate products rather than just the cheapest and works with Defaqto, the independent financial researcher, to integrate additional policy information into a number of its insurance comparison services. This allows people to compare up to an extra 30 features of cover.
Go.Compare is part of Future Plc and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
More information can be found here www.gocompare.com or here https://www.futureplc.com/brands/