How to Put a GIF in an Email Gmail: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Gmail allows you to add GIFs to your emails, and it's easier than you think.

To start, you'll need to have a Gmail account and the GIF you want to send saved somewhere online, like Google Drive or a cloud storage service.

You can also use a GIF you find online, but make sure it's available for sharing and not copyrighted.

To add a GIF to your email, you can use the "Insert image" feature in Gmail.

Recommended read: Spacer GIF

Inserting GIFs in Gmail

Inserting GIFs in Gmail is a straightforward process. You have three methods to choose from on a desktop: using a Gmail extension tool, a GIF's web link, or an offline GIF stored on your desktop.

If you're using an Android device, you're in luck - most keyboards come with built-in support for GIFs. Gboard, Google's default keyboard, is one of them.

To insert a GIF in Gmail on Android, follow these steps:

  1. Launch the Gmail app on your Android smartphone.
  2. Tap the Compose button to start a new email. You'll see an active GIF button when the cursor is inside the compose field. Tap it to access the GIFs.
  3. Alternatively, if you don't see the GIF button, open the emoji keyboard and choose the GIF option.
  4. Tap a GIF to add to your email draft.

If you use a non-stock Android keyboard, you can install Gboard to gain access to GIFs.

Uploading and Adding Images

Credit: youtube.com, How to insert an animated GIF in Gmail from a website #InsertGIF

You can upload a GIF from your desktop to Gmail by opening Gmail in a browser, selecting the Compose button, clicking the Insert Photo button, and then choosing the Upload tab.

To add an offline GIF saved on your computer, use the file picker to upload the GIF. Gmail automatically inserts the GIF in the email when the upload finishes.

Alternatively, you can drag and drop the GIF in the compose window to import it.

If you use an Android phone with stock Android, you probably use Gboard, which comes with built-in support for GIFs. If not, check whether your device's default keyboard supports GIFs. If it doesn't, install Gboard on your Android.

To add a GIF to an email in Gmail on a desktop, you can use a Gmail extension tool, add a GIF's web link, or upload an offline GIF stored on your desktop.

Here are the three methods to add a GIF to Gmail on a desktop:

  1. Use a Gmail extension tool, such as the GIPHY Gmail extension.
  2. Add a GIF's web link by right-clicking on the GIF, choosing the Copy Image Address option, and then pasting the link in the link box.
  3. Upload an offline GIF stored on your desktop by opening Gmail, selecting the Compose button, clicking the Insert Photo button, and then choosing the Upload tab.

Using GIFs in Marketing and Messages

Credit: youtube.com, Use Animated Gifs to Make More Dynamic Email Marketing Campaigns

Using GIFs in marketing and messages can be a great way to capture attention and convey information in a more engaging way. Animated GIFs can be used in email messages to add visual interest and make your content more memorable.

Here are some reasons why you should consider adding a GIF to your email body: animated GIFs can be used to add visual interest, convey complex information in a simple way, and even help to tell a story.

To maximize the effectiveness of using GIFs in your email campaigns, follow these best practices: customize your GIFs to achieve email marketing success, and head over to our website for more information.

If you're using Gmail, you can add GIFs to your emails using the GIPHY Gmail extension. To do this, open Google Chrome or another Chromium-based browser, click the link to open the GIPHY for Gmail extension, and then follow the steps to add it to your Google account.

Credit: youtube.com, How To Insert A Gif Into An Email In Gmail (Full 2025 Guide)

Here's a step-by-step guide to adding a GIF to your email using the GIPHY Gmail extension:

  1. Open Gmail and click the Compose button to start a new email draft.
  2. To add a GIF to your email, click the GIPHY icon.
  3. Use the search bar to find a suitable GIF, then select the GIF to add it to your email.

Not all GIFs are created equal, and just because you should include a GIF in your email doesn't mean that any GIF will work.

Formatting and Ensuring Animation

Make sure your GIF is animated before sending an email, as a still image of the first frame can be a letdown.

A still image of the first frame of an animation isn't nearly as exciting as the full loop.

To ensure your GIF loads correctly, format it properly in your email. This means checking that it's properly positioned next to the rest of your content.

Format Correctly

Formatting your animations correctly is key to ensuring they load properly in your email. GIFs don't always load correctly, so take a second to make sure they're formatted correctly.

Proper formatting will also prevent your animations from displacing important text. Ensure they're positioned next to the rest of your content.

Ensure Animation

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A still image of the first frame of an animation isn't nearly as exciting as the full loop.

Make sure the GIF is actually animated before you send it, or you'll be left with a disappointing static image.

Some GIFs aren't animated at all, which is a great tragedy, so check carefully.

A GIF that won't play properly when embedded in an email is just as bad as a non-animated one.

Adding GIFs to Emails

Adding GIFs to emails is a great way to add some personality and visual interest to your messages. You can use the GIPHY Gmail extension to add GIFs to emails by clicking the "Add to Chrome" button and then clicking the GIPHY icon in the Gmail compose window.

To add a GIF to your email using the GIPHY extension, follow these steps:

  1. Open Google Chrome or another Chromium-based browser and click the link to open the GIPHY for Gmail extension.
  2. Click the Add to Chrome button.
  3. Click the Add Extension button to add the extension to your Google account.
  4. Open Gmail and click the Compose button to start a new email draft.
  5. To add a GIF to your email, click the GIPHYicon.
  6. Use the search bar to find a suitable GIF. Then, select the GIF to add it to your email.

Alternatively, you can add a GIF to your email using its web link by copying the image address and pasting it into the Gmail compose window.

Credit: youtube.com, How to embed a linked GIF in your email

Adding a GIF to an email in Gmail is easy, and one way to do it is by using a GIF link. You can find a GIF on a website, right click on it, and choose the Copy Image Address option.

To add a GIF via link, follow these simple steps: open the GIF in your browser, right click on it, and select Copy Image Address. Then, in the Gmail compose window, click on the picture icon, select Web Address (URL), and paste the link in the link box.

You can then click the Insert button to insert the GIF into your email draft. The GIF is successfully inserted into the email.

Add to an Email

Adding a GIF to an email is easier than you think. You can use the GIPHY Gmail extension to add GIFs to your emails. To do this, open Google Chrome or another Chromium-based browser and click the link to open the GIPHY for Gmail extension. Click the Add to Chrome button and then the Add Extension button to add the extension to your Google account.

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Once you've added the extension, open Gmail and click the Compose button to start a new email draft. To add a GIF to your email, click the GIPHY icon and use the search bar to find a suitable GIF. Select the GIF to add it to your email.

Alternatively, you can use a GIF link to add it to Gmail. To do this, open the GIF you want to insert in Gmail in your browser, right click it and choose the Copy Image Address option. In the Gmail compose window, click the picture icon and select the Web Address (URL) option. Paste the link in the link box and click the Insert button to insert the GIF into your email draft.

You can also drag and drop a GIF into the email body. Click the photo icon at the bottom of the Compose window, add your GIF, and choose "Inline" to display the GIF in line with the rest of your message. Click Insert to add the GIF to your email.

Here are the steps to add a GIF to an email in Gmail:

  1. Click the photo icon at the bottom of the Compose window.
  2. Drag a GIF to the box that says "drag photos here", click the "choose photos to upload" button to select your GIF from your files, or copy a GIF and paste the image URL.
  3. Resize your GIF to ensure it's the perfect size for your message.
  4. Finish your email, then press send!

Finding and Selecting GIFs

An Elderly Man in Black Suit Smiling while Typing on Computer Keyboard
Credit: pexels.com, An Elderly Man in Black Suit Smiling while Typing on Computer Keyboard

Giphy has all the GIFs you need, and it's ridiculously easy to search for a specific kind of GIF. You can browse trending GIFs, look at GIFs created by specific artists, or search for a mood, emotion, or type of reaction.

Giphy also has neat addons that can work with Gmail or Outlook, streamlining the GIF selection and inclusion processes. Experiment with different tools to find what works best for you.

You can find GIFs by using Giphy.com or simply by Googling it. Giphy offers a vast collection of GIFs to choose from.

FlexClip can help you make your GIF more attractive and funnier, or make your own GIF from a video or images. It offers rich resources like funny various GIFs, interesting stickers, animated texts, stylish fonts, and attractive filters.

You can make and edit GIFs with FlexClip using the Image Board: Make an Animated GIF for Email - Upload, Image Board: Make an Animated GIF for Email - Customize, and Image Board: Make an Animated GIF for Email - Export steps.

To add an animated GIF to your Gmail email, you can use FlexClip or other tools like Giphy addons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Gmail not showing GIFs?

Gmail may not show GIFs if plain text mode is enabled, which can be turned off to display thumbnails. Disabling plain text mode allows GIFs to be previewed in the Gmail compose window.

Tanya Hodkiewicz

Junior Assigning Editor

Tanya Hodkiewicz is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for compelling content. With a proven track record of commissioning articles that captivate and inform, Tanya has established herself as a trusted voice in the industry. Her expertise spans a range of categories, including "Important" pieces that tackle complex, timely topics and "Decade in Review" features that offer insightful retrospectives on significant events.

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