GIFs are fantastic. And they’re absolutely everywhere. At Buffer, we use them in our blog posts, Twitter threads, emails, and even throughout our Slack channels. If there’s a message, there’s probably room for a GIF. So, what exactly is a GIF? For anyone new to them, GIFs are simply animated image files. The term GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format. Many people feel strongly about how it should be pronounced — “giff” vs. “jiff” — but the format’s creator, Steve Wilhite, famously said: “The Oxford English Dictionary accepts both pronunciations. They are wrong. It is a soft ‘G,’ pronounced ‘jif.’ End of story.”Curious about how to make a GIF and the best times and places to share them? We’ve rounded up the top tools, strategies, and techniques to level up your GIF skills.
Getting started with GIF creationIn this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to start creating high-impact GIFs, including:How to create a GIFWhere to discover great pre-made GIFsReal-world examples of using GIFs in your marketingKey points to rememberTop tools: GIPHY, Canva, and Adobe Photoshop are among the best options for turning videos or images into GIFs.Creation methods: Make GIFs using browser-based tools, mobile apps (like GIPHY), or advanced software such as Photoshop for maximum control.Sourcing: Find quality pre-made GIFs on GIPHY, Tenor, or via Google Images (filtered by "GIF").Marketing use cases: GIFs can increase engagement in email campaigns, visually break down complex "how-to" steps, and add personality to your brand on social media.Legal note: Most GIFs are still subject to copyright; producing your own original GIF content is generally the safest route…