GIFs have become an integral part of online communication in the last few years. The ability to express emotions and reactions quickly through moving images has made GIFs immensely popular on social media and messaging platforms. One platform where GIFs had gained huge popularity was WhatsApp. The Facebook-owned instant messaging app had native support for GIFs, allowing users to easily search and share GIFs in individual and group chats. However, recently it was discovered that WhatsApp has removed the dedicated GIF button from its app, leading to speculations that GIF support on WhatsApp was removed. Let’s take a closer look at what exactly happened with GIFs on WhatsApp and what it means for users.
When and how were GIFs introduced on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp added support for GIFs back in 2017, allowing users to search and share GIFs right within chats without having to download them separately. This made the process of sharing GIFs super quick and seamless for users.
To enable GIF support, WhatsApp partnered with Giphy, one of the largest GIF databases online. A new GIF button was added next to the attachment button in chats. Tapping on it opened up a Giphy search experience within WhatsApp through which users could browse trending GIFs and search for relevant GIFs using keywords. Selected GIFs could be easily sent in chats without leaving the WhatsApp interface.
This native GIF integration made WhatsApp extremely popular for sharing funny reactions, emotions, and viral memes in the form of GIFs. It became more convenient than having to download GIFs from outside apps and then attaching them in WhatsApp. GIFs being small animations meant even users on slow internet connections could share them easily. The GIF integration helped improve user engagement on WhatsApp and benefited brands who used WhatsApp Business for customer communication.
When and how were GIFs removed from WhatsApp?
In October 2022, it was observed by users that the dedicated GIF button had suddenly disappeared from WhatsApp on iOS. Later it was revealed that Android users had also lost the button even though GIF sharing still seemed to be working through the attachment menu. The change indicated that native GIF support had been removed from WhatsApp.
This change happened silently during a WhatsApp update. Users only noticed it once the button went missing. No official announcement about the removal has been made by WhatsApp or parent company Meta. A WhatsApp spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that some changes had been made to how GIFs work on WhatsApp. It appears to be an intentional move by the company rather than a bug or glitch.
Timeline of GIF button removal
- October 3, 2022 – WhatsApp version 22.22.75 released on iOS removes GIF button
- October 11, 2022 – WhatsApp version 2.22.23.77 released on Android removes GIF button
- October 13, 2022 – WhatsApp confirms to TechCrunch that native GIF support has been removed and changes made to GIF functionality
Why did WhatsApp remove native GIF support?
While WhatsApp has not officially explained the reasoning behind this change, there are some likely factors that may have contributed to the decision:
To improve performance and reduce data usage
GIFs are essentially small video clips that tend to consume more data compared to static images. Hosting GIF content natively may have impacted WhatsApp’s performance and caused unnecessary data usage especially for users with limited internet plans. Removing direct GIF support allows WhatsApp to optimize performance without having to host GIFs natively anymore.
To simplify the interface
The GIF button took up some space in the chat interface on both mobile and Web. Its removal declutters the interface slightly and allows focusing on essential functionality like calls, attachments, etc. WhatsApp may have felt too many media sharing options could overwhelm users.
To encourage use of WhatsApp Stickers instead
WhatsApp has been pushing its own Stickers format recently by allowing third-party Sticker packs. Hosting Stickers natively gives WhatsApp more control and potential monetization opportunities. The company may want to promote Stickers over GIFs going forward.
To reduce misinformation and abuse
GIFs are difficult to moderate at scale as they are animations rather than static text or images. Reducing GIF usage could help WhatsApp control misinformation and abusive behavior like trolling, though other media formats can also be misused.
Does this mean GIFs can no longer be shared on WhatsApp?
No, users can still share GIFs on WhatsApp in a couple of ways:
- Copy and paste GIF url when sharing media
- Download GIF from outside app and attach in WhatsApp
- Use GIFs saved to phone gallery and share via gallery share option
The process is now just slightly more cumbersome than before. But there are no restrictions imposed on actually sending and viewing GIFs within WhatsApp chats. Only the integrated GIF search experience has been removed.
What has the response been to this change?
The removal of native GIF support has sparked outrage among many WhatsApp users who heavily rely on GIFs for expressing themselves. Some key responses have been:
- Confusion and questions about why this popular feature was removed without any announcement
- Annoyance at having to go through a more complex process to share GIFs now
- Amusement at the irony of having to share “Reaction GIFs” to express frustration over GIF removal
- Concern that WhatsApp is taking away useful functionality and making the app less user-friendly
- Worry that other multimedia features could also face removal in the future
There are also users who had no strong attachment to the GIF feature and hence have not been affected much by its removal. But overall, the abrupt removal of a beloved messaging feature has left many loyal WhatsApp users unhappy.
Could this impact WhatsApp’s user base?
Here is a look at the possible impact on WhatsApp’s user base:
Loss of some casual users
Users who made heavy use of GIFs for fun and casual conversations may find WhatsApp less appealing now. The extra steps to share GIFs may push these users to switch to platforms like Telegram and Signal that offer native GIF support.
Reduced engagement from some existing users
Most regular WhatsApp users are unlikely to abandon the platform completely. But their daily engagement on WhatsApp chats could reduce if they used GIFs heavily in the past. This could negatively impact WhatsApp’s user stickiness.
Less attraction for new/potential users
For people evaluating multiple messaging apps, the lack of GIF support could make WhatsApp seem outdated and work against attracting new users. They may opt for apps that make GIF sharing easier.
Highly unlikely to impact business users
Businesses primarily use WhatsApp for customer support and notifications rather than casual chatting. So the GIF removal is unlikely to impact their usage and adoption of WhatsApp Business.
Could this be temporary?
While unlikely, there is a possibility that WhatsApp could reintroduce native GIF support in the future. Some indications for this include:
- Sudden removal without any announcement hints it may be a temporary test rather than permanent decision
- No official word from company aboutpermanentGIP discontinuation
- User backlash increases chance of reversing the removal
- WhatsApp previously reversed controversial changes like Privacy Policyupdate due to user criticism
However, given the performance and business incentives behind the move, the chances of native GIF support returning seem low. WhatsApp may wait for user outrage to die down before confirming removal is permanent.
Conclusion
The disappearance of the GIF button from WhatsApp took away a popular messaging feature that millions of users enjoyed. While GIF sharing is still possible through workarounds, the removal of native support has impacted the WhatsApp user experience. The move likely aims to optimize performance and promote WhatsApp’s own Sticker format. But the lack of transparency around the change has angered many loyal WhatsApp users. Only time will tell whether this backlash prompts WhatsApp to reinstate GIF support or if the removal is here to stay.