How Tumblr Made GIF Usage Easier

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When you first log to Tumblr, chances are that the first type of content you’ll be exposed to will be GIFs. These moving images are some of the most popular on the Internet, which goes without saying, but it seems like these are especially popular on the aforementioned social media channel. You do not necessarily require an online marketing firm to know that these unique graphics matter, either for entertainment purposes or what have you. However, what if I were to tell you that Tumblr was set to make the integration of GIFs easier?
 

How Tumblr Made GIF Usage Easier

 
It seems like this will be the case, with the new search capabilities that Tumblr users can now take advantage of. According to Search Engine Watch, Tumblr users will actually be able to easily integrate GIFs into the posts they make, by clicking the + button, before taking advantage of the GIF button afterwards. Once you find the GIF you want to incorporate, all you have to do is plug it into the text box and you’ll be good to go. It’s a simple process that should appeal to many Tumblr users, though one can argue that this should have been implemented some time ago.
The main reason for this is the type of content that most people on the Internet take to. Not only are GIFs popular, but you should think about the ways in which people communicate through smartphones. Text messaging is especially common, though it would be unwise to overlook the usage of emojis. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t too long ago that Fooji, a unique food delivery service in New York City, allowed people to make food orders with food-related emojis alone. Not only are they popular for basic communication purposes, but it’s not terribly far-fetched to think that they can be used for more.
Do I necessarily believe that GIFs will follow this type of pattern? It’s hard for me to say that they will, since they still have their own particular niche. Entertainment is, more or less, where these image are situated and I have a hard time believing that this will change anytime soon. This isn’t to say that such a concept is negative, since it’s not like their popularity will diminish. As long as social networking platforms like Tumblr exist, so will the prevalence of GIFs.
Going back to the search capabilities discussed earlier, there is a single caveat to make note of: it’s only available on desktop. Essentially, if you want to use this service, you will require access to a computer. One has to imagine that this feature will be integrated into smartphone and tablet apps alike, though, given the importance of seamless experiences across different devices. When this happens, the utilization of said search capabilities will only expand.
What is your take on this particular story? Do you see value in Tumblr’s new GIF search functionality? Please leave your thoughts below!
 

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See also: Important Tumblr Questions to Ask