Instagram GIFs are a great way to express your emotions, share a laugh, or stand out from the crowd. These looping videos have caught on with everyone, from casual users to large corporations. However, Instagram doesn’t include a built-in GIF maker, so you’ll need a guide to help you get started. Here is everything you need to know about Instagram gifs, especially how to upload and post them.
Can You Post a GIF on Instagram? (Quick Answer)
Yes! A few simple steps and a third-party app are required to post a GIF to Instagram.
Fortunately, those steps are about to become more straightforward, thanks to GIPHY’s acquisition by Facebook in May of this year!
This well-known search engine is the go-to source for shareable GIFS, with numerous integrations into your favourite platforms.
To post your GIF on Instagram using GIPHY, you must first:
- Install the GIPHY app.
- Sign up/Log in with Facebook
- Tap “Share” after you’ve found a GIF to share.
- Select the Instagram logo.
- Choose between Posts and Stories.
Why are GIFs used?
GIFs (animated images that play in a loop) have been a popular topic on almost every social network for years.
A GIF on Instagram can be used for comedy, to share shocking news, or to convey a message in a way that captures the attention of your followers. They can be simple yet effective methods of attracting followers and portraying your page as a relevant brand.
How to Create a GIF on Instagram
Instagram technically does not support GIF files in Instagram posts. There are two solutions to this issue:
Option #1: Make use of a GIF from GIPHY.
GIPHY is your one-stop shop for all GIF needs. It also includes a simple tool for converting any GIF to a 15-second.mp4 file. This is ideal for posting directly to your Instagram feed.
Option #2: Make a video out of a GIF.
To post your GIF on Instagram, you’ll need to convert it to a video. To convert a GIF to an MP4 file, use a free tool like Adobe Express. The video can then be uploaded to your feed.
Now, let’s go over how to post a GIF to Instagram from your phone or computer in detail.
How to Use the GIPHY Mobile App to Post a GIF on Instagram
#1. Install the GIPHY App on Your Phone
You must first download the Instagram app before learning how to post GIFs to Instagram. GIPHY has a desktop app as well as a mobile app for Android and iOS!
Our favourite feature: the app is entirely free! If you want to share GIFs on Instagram, we recommend starting with the mobile app because the desktop app does not yet support Instagram posting.
“We recommend starting with the mobile app if you plan to share GIFs on Instagram.”
#2. Create an Account or Log in to Facebook
Logging into Facebook makes it much easier to use the GIPHY app and allows you to post GIFs to both Instagram and Facebook.
If you don’t want to use Facebook, you can log in to the app with an email address and password.
Now that you’re logged in, you can browse new and popular GIFs from the app’s home page or search the database using keywords. Select keywords based on your moods, activities, favourite TV shows or characters, and more to find the perfect GIF for any situation.
It’s time to share your GIF now that you’ve chosen it. While GIFs can be uploaded to Instagram, they can also be sent via Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, Whatsapp, Twitter, and Messages.
Tap the “Share” button, which resembles a paper plane.
You can also copy the GIF link or the GIF itself to paste it.
#5. To upload a GIF to Instagram, tap the Instagram icon
To add a GIF to Instagram, tap the purple Instagram icon, grant access to your camera roll, and then launch Instagram. It will then allow you to post to your Feed or Instagram Story.
This will save the GIF to your phone as a 15-second video square.
“If you want to add a GIF to Instagram, tap the purple Instagram icon, allow access to your camera roll, and then open Instagram.”
#6. Choose between Story and Feed.
You can use GIFs on Instagram in various ways, including posting them to your Story or directly to your Feed. After you’ve decided where you want to post it, the process is the same as adding a new post to Instagram.
If you post your GIF to your Story, you can also use the GIF feature in Instagram Create Mode to make a full-screen GIF (it appears in three tiles). Finally, tapping the Sticker tray lets you add multiple GIF stickers to your Stories!
How to Post a GIF on Instagram Using GIPHY on a Desktop
#1. Go to giphy.com and search for a GIF
Go to the GIPHY website and look for a GIF you want to post. When you find it, click on it to go to the GIF detail page.
#2. Send the GIF to Yourself
Select the Instagram icon by clicking “Share” on the right side of the GIF. Ensure you’re logged in to GIPHY before entering your email address in the pop-up box and clicking “Send.”
#3. Receive and Download Your GIF
Your GIF will be emailed as an MP4 file to the address you provided. You can download it from your email to your phone and use it to post to the Instagram app.
You are now ready to post your GIF! Upload it to your Instagram mobile app’s story or feed, just like any other video.
How to Add a GIF to Your Instagram Feed in a Loop
Now that you’ve learned how to add a GIF to Instagram, the next question is: Can you post a loop on Instagram?
Yes, and it’s not hard!
- To begin, save multiple versions of the same GIF on your phone.
- Then, tap ‘Share to Instagram’ several times to save multiple 15-second clips of the GIF to your camera roll.
- Open the Instagram app and choose ‘Post to Feed.’
- Choose the 15-second GIF, then tap ‘Next,’ then ‘Trim.’
- When the square with the plus sign appears, click it to add more video clips to lengthen your video and make it into a GIF loop.
How To Turn a Video Into a GIF for Instagram
GIFs cannot be created directly on Instagram. To convert a video to a GIF, you’ll need to use a different app or your phone’s camera roll. For more information, see our detailed guide on how to make a GIF.
You could use Adobe Express, as mentioned above, to convert a video to a GIF, but GIPHY is a better option for easy sharing. People who use GIPHY can find and use your GIFs in their projects or messages. Finally, this contributes to brand awareness.
We’ll go over how to use GIPHY to convert a video into a GIF below, but other apps can also create GIFs from video. (More on that later).
- Ensure you’re logged in to the GIPHY app or website. To create GIFs, you must first create an account, so sign up now.
- In the top right corner, click Create. (On mobile, tap “Uploads” and then “Create”).
- You can add a URL link or upload a video from here. The video must be less than 100 MB in size and at most 15 seconds in length. Remember that the URL option is only available on the desktop.
- After that, you can trim the video using the sliders.
- Click the Continue to Upload button. You can further customize your GIF by adding a caption, filters, or stickers.
You are now ready to share your GIF with the rest of the world. That simple!
How to Post a GIF on an Instagram Story
There are three methods for posting a GIF to an Instagram Story.
#1: Include a GIF
- Navigate to Instagram Stories.
- Search for and click a GIF in your phone gallery to add it to your Stories.
- This adds the GIF to your Instagram Story, and you can customize it with text, stickers, and other effects before publishing.
#2: Use Instagram’s GIF feature.
- Take or upload a photo and post it to your Instagram story.
- In the upper right menu, select the sticker icon.
- Select the “GIF” option.
- The menu will display trending GIFs or allow you to search for a GIF. Click it to add it to your Story.
- Add text, images, doodles, or effects if desired.
- Finally, click Next to publish!
#3: Use GIPHY to post directly.
- Launch the GIPHY app.
- Choose the GIF you want to post.
- To share, tap the paper airplane icon.
- Select Instagram Stories to post on. This launches your Instagram app. The GIF can then be customized by adding text, stickers, or other effects.
- Tap Next to post your GIF to Instagram Stories.
How to Send a GIF on Instagram Direct Message
You can also send GIFs to your Instagram friends via direct messages. Here’s how to go about it:
- Start a conversation with the person or group you want to message.
- Tap the sticker icon to the right of Message…
- Select the GIF icon in the lower right corner.
- You can use the search function or scroll through to find trending GIFs.
- Click on the GIF to send it to the chat automatically.
Best Instagram GIF applications
Custom GIFs are a fantastic way to increase brand recognition and share engaging content with your audience. Instagram does not support GIF creation. To create GIFs for Instagram posts, you must use a different app.
Here are the most popular Instagram GIF creation apps:
#1. GIPHY
GIPHY has the largest GIF library. It is simple to find the ideal GIF to convey your message or to create your own. Additionally, it is the only GIF creator on this list that can be used on a computer.
GIPHY offers an app for both Android and iOS. It is also accessible on desktop, but there is no option for posting directly to Instagram.
#2. GIF Maker, GIF Editor
GIF Maker, GIF Editor have been downloaded over 10 million times. It has numerous features, including the ability to alter the animation’s speed, crop the GIF, and add or remove individual frames.
#3. ImgPlay
ImgPlay is a GIF creator that uses still images, live images, burst images, and videos. Additionally, you can trim your GIF, apply filters, and combine multiple videos into one.
#4. GIF Maker by Momento
Momento can convert your photographs, live photographs, and videos into GIFs. Using stickers, text, and effects, you can add a creative touch.
What Happens If You Upload a GIF to Instagram Directly?
Uploading a GIF directly from your phone’s Gallery using the Instagram app is possible. If you use this method, it will not format correctly and will instead be a single frame rather than a moving image. If you still want to use this method, you can do so as follows:
First, ensure that the GIF you want to upload is saved on your mobile device. Then, go to your Instagram account and click the + button in the bottom right corner of the Instagram home bar. You will then be prompted to choose a file type, either Photo, Video, or Library. Select Library to select a GIF already saved in your phone’s Camera Roll.
Locate your GIF, crop it as needed, and click Next at the top right of the screen. You can apply any filters or edit settings you want there. Because GIFs are heavily compressed, it’s best not to over-edit them. When you’re ready, click Next again to add any captions, hashtags, locations, or people to tag before clicking Share.
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