• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.23-33
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• 2020

Purpose: In the digital age, visual cues in computer-mediated environments are becoming a very popular means of communication. Therefore, it is a very critical market for marketers to utilize for marketing communication and platform providers and manufacturers of mobile devices which create and distribute the visual cues While the prevalent research on visual cue consumption focuses on the positive side, the dark side of consuming visual cues has not been investigated. Therefore, in this research, the dark side of using visual cues, such as difficulties and problems in their application, will be investigated. Research design, data, and methodology: Due to the nature of this study, a netnography approach was adopted. Twitter which the users regularly utilise visual cues in their communications was a prime source for data of this research. Results: This research suggests that visual cue users experience anxiety about the subordination of expression and suffer from the myth of an ideal practice of expression. Conclusions: As the previous research emphasised the complementary role of visual cues, has failed to recognise the problems associated with the extensive and growing dependence on visual cues. This awareness demonstrates that we need to take a careful approach to visual cue usage.