Sending GIFs on Facebook chat is a fun way to express yourself and engage with friends and family. With the rise of GIF popularity in digital communication, Facebook integrated the ability to send GIFs directly in Messenger chats back in 2017. It’s now easier than ever to find and share the perfect GIF to capture your reaction or emotion.
What are GIFs?
GIF stands for Graphic Interchange Format. GIFs are short animated clips that loop continuously. They are usually extracted from video sources or created from scratch. GIFs often contain no sound and they compress well, allowing them to load quickly. The file size is also small, making GIFs easy to share online.
GIFs can express a wide range of emotions and reactions. They are commonly used in digital communication to liven up conversations. Sending a GIF on Facebook Messenger allows you to react to something your friend said or share something funny or entertaining. GIFs add a multimedia element beyond just texting back and forth.
How to find GIFs on Facebook
Facebook has made it easy to find relevant GIFs from right within Messenger. Here are the steps to find GIFs:
- Open a Messenger conversation with a friend or group
- In the chat box where you type your message, tap the GIF icon (a square with a moving image inside)
- This will open the GIF selector panel – you will see trending GIFs and categories to browse
- Tap a category to view GIFs matching that theme or emotion
- When you find a GIF you like, tap it to send it in the chat
The GIF selector has categories like Reactions, Entertainment, Sports, Stickers, and more. You can also search for specific GIFs using the search bar at the top. As you send GIFs more often, Facebook will remember your preferences and start suggesting relevant GIFs you might like.
Sending GIFs from third-party apps
In addition to the built-in Facebook GIF selector, you can also send GIFs from third-party apps and websites. Here are some other places to find great GIFs to use on Messenger:
- Giphy – Huge library of animated GIFs with a search engine and categories
- Tenor – Search engine optimized specifically for GIFs
- GIF Keyboard – Android keyboard with easy GIF search and sharing
- Apple iMessage – Built-in GIF support through the App Store
When you find a GIF on one of these sites or apps, you can save or copy the GIF file and then paste it right into your Messenger chat box to send. This allows you to pick from an even wider range of GIF options beyond just Facebook’s default library.
Sending stickers
In addition to GIFs, Facebook Messenger also supports sending stickers. Stickers are large emojis and characters that you can paste into chats. To find and send stickers:
- Open the GIF selector as if you were going to send a GIF
- Tap the “Stickers” tab at the top
- Browse different sticker packs and tap a sticker to send
Stickers function similarly to GIFs but are often larger, static images rather than short animations. Facebook offers a range of stickers based on popular movies, TV shows, emojis, and other themes. You can also find sticker packs to install from third-party apps.
Tips for using GIFs on Facebook
Here are some tips to get the most out of sending GIFs on Facebook Messenger:
- Use GIFs sparingly – 1 or 2 per conversation is usually enough
- Make sure GIFs relate to the discussion and other person’s messages
- Combine GIFs with text comments of your own
- Check that GIFs aren’t too large or distracting
- Ensure GIF content is appropriate for the chat
- Add your own personal reactions via selfie videos and photos
Troubleshooting GIFs
Here are some common issues when sending GIFs on Facebook Messenger and how to fix them:
GIFs won’t send
- Check your internet connection – GIF files need to upload to send
- Restart the Messenger app if issues persist
- The file size of the GIF may be too large
GIFs won’t play
- Tap on the non-playing GIF to open it in full screen – this often starts animation
- The GIF file could be corrupted or damaged
- Try re-sending the GIF file
Can’t find the perfect GIF
- Experiment with search terms and categories to find relevant GIFs
- Check third-party GIF apps and sites for more options
- Consider creating your own GIFs with apps like Giphy
Troubleshooting on mobile can be tricky. Try closing and reopening the Messenger app or rebooting your phone if issues continue. Make sure you have the latest Facebook app updates as well.
GIF Frequently Asked Questions
Are GIFs animated?
Yes, GIFs are short repeating video clips that loop continuously. The GIF format allows encoding of multiple frames to create smooth animation and movement when played sequentially.
Do GIFs have sound?
The vast majority of GIF files do not have sound. The GIF format does technically support encoding audio, but this is rarely implemented. Most GIFs found online and in messaging apps will be silent.
What app should I use to make GIFs?
Some top apps for making your own animated GIFs include Giphy, Kapwing, ImgPlay, GIFMaker, and IMGonline. Most have options to extract clips from video, combine images, add text, and adjust speed.
Why are my GIFs pixelated?
GIFs often have lower image quality and pixelation due to the nature of their compression. The more colors and frames in a GIF, the larger the file size, so pixels are sacrificed to keep sizes small for sharing. Finding a high-resolution source GIF can help improve quality.
How do you pronounce GIF?
There has long been debate around the correct pronunciation of the word GIF. Most pronounce it with a soft “G” sound as “JIF.” But many others argue it should be pronounced starting with a hard “G” sound like “gift” without the “t.” Both are commonly accepted.
Conclusion
Sending GIFs on Facebook Messenger is a fun way to liven up chats with friends, family, and groups. The platform makes it easy to search and share GIFs with just a couple taps. With Facebook’s built-in GIF selector and third-party apps, you can find the perfect GIFs to express emotions, react to messages, and entertain your chat partners. Use GIFs sparingly and make sure they are relevant to the conversation. Follow troubleshooting tips if you have issues sending or viewing GIFs. Overall, GIFs allow you to have more dynamic, expressive conversations on Facebook Messenger.