Gif full form is Graphics Interchange Format. An image compression format limited to 256 colours. The gif files use a data compression algorithm that is patented, while the .png form is not copyrighted and does not need a license for use, so the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has approved the .png format as Substitute for the gif format.
The .jpg format is considered to be better for digital photography, while the .gif and .png formats are better for graphic images.
Gif full form
The word GIF is an acronym that means Graphics Interchange Format. This image format was created in 1987 by Steve Wilhite in Compuserve, an American communications company.
Although they existed 30 years ago, it is in this decade that GIFs have become a worldwide trend. So much so that in 2012 the term “GIF” became the word of the year according to the Oxford dictionary. Today, these animated images abound in social networks, chats, emails, articles, advertising campaigns and media.
What are gifs?
This trend shows no signs of disappearing in good time. In just 4 years, the bank of GIFs Giphy already exceeded Snapchat and Twitter in the number of users, with about 250 million users a day (Snapchat has 165 and Twitter, 140 million). The use of these images begins to compete with that of the emojis, becoming a powerful means of expression.
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Where to find GIFs?
There are millions of GIFs on the Internet that you can take advantage of. Some of the places where you can find them are:
Giphy: The most extensive GIF library in the world. It has a search engine of different categories and GIFs can be easily shared, downloaded, or inserted into any blog or website.
Google Images: Type the search term in Google, go to Images and in the Tools menu, you go to Type and select “Animated.” Nothing easier.
But if creativity is your thing and you prefer to make your GIFs, here are some tools you can use to create them easily:
GIF Maker: Giphy’s tool for creating GIFs. You can choose to upload multiple images or a video, or you can even enter the URL of the video you want to use. It also has a clipart that you can customize.
Make a GIF: In this site, you can also create GIFs from videos, images, and even from your webcam. You will also find lots of GIFs created by users.
Photoshop: This software allows you to import videos in the form of frames. Please select the part of the video you want to convert (no more than 10 seconds), edit it to your liking and set the loop option. In the end, you save for Web.
GIFs are a great resource that many brands are still afraid to explore. The truth is that there is nothing to fear as long as they are used consistently within the strategy. Some tips you should keep in mind are:
Use Gif sparingly. Too many GIFs can become annoying. As a brand, you better create your GIFs (or at least put the source from where you got them). Use them in context. Strive because your GIFs complement and enrich the topic you are talking about (if not, you better not even put them).