They remain a good way to add
tone or show
intent to any post (missing, when you are not there and actually speaking to your audience).
But like anything else, they begin to get old, cliche' and/or overused.
I type my post. My default is no emoticon. Then I decide if one (maybe two) improves my communication.
I like to use

. But really, if your post was well written, should you have to remind or prompt folks to find it funny? It's like laughing at your own joke. The better use for

, is to show you are not trying to provoke someone (anyone) to anger or other negative emotion.
In reality, this may be the funniest emoticon