You’ve come across at least one meme on social media or animated graphics and logos on websites for sure. They’re not static images and definitely not videos either. So what they actually are?
Memes are just one type of GIF file, standing for Graphics Interchange Format. A GIF combines a lot of images or frames into a file. The file will present basic animations when displaying, similarly to a short video or a clip.
Using a GIF on Facebook comments or messages becomes incredibly simple. However, achieving the same thing on a WordPress site is a whole different story.
In this article, we center on how to add GIFs to WordPress with and without a plugin. But first, we’ll help you briefly understand the advantages of GIF files as well as the difficulties to have them work properly on your site content.
Let’s get the ball rolling!
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Why WordPress GIF Files Not Working
GIFs bring various benefits to your WordPress site. By supporting basic animations, they draw users’ attention and contribute to increasing engagement. Visitors find your post content more attractive when seeing these files.
You’re able to display GIFs anywhere on your site to promote a new product and showcase the brand’s personality. What’s more, they visualize how-to’s effectively, for example, software tutorials, user guides, or before-after comparisons.
Here is an example of a GIF file.
Plus, GIFs are not as long as videos so they require less bandwidth than self-hosted videos.
The Challenge in GIF File Uploads
If you’ve once uploaded a GIF to your WordPress Media Library and inserted it into the content, you may notice that it becomes a static image with no animation.
This issue occurs when WordPress generates multiple copies of an image in different file sizes. You’ll have at least 4 versions: large, medium, full size, and thumbnail.
Anytime WordPress creates a new image size, it just uses the first frame of the GIF. This means that they’ll appear just like any other single image.
To fix this, you can either use the WordPress default Add Media function or use the EmbedPress plugin.
How to Add GIF to WordPress
#1 Use Default Image Block
It takes you a few steps to insert a GIF image to your site using the Gutenberg image block. Simply follow the guide below:
- Log in to your WordPress admin area and create a new post, or edit an existing one
- Find the image block in the element list, and drag and drop it into your post
- Upload the GIF, or choose it from the Library
- Select the Full size option to add the original animated GIF
Easy, right?
#2 Use EmbedPress Plugin
Over 60K WordPress site owners are using EmbedPress to insert files from third-party sources to their site content. The plugin supports more than 100 sources, including Gfycat, a GIF hosting online platform.
Go through the process below and get ready:
- Log in to the Gfycat site, or sign up for an account if you haven’t visited it
- Click on the one you wish to embed onto your site and copy the GIF’s URL
- Hit the Add Block button and add the EmbedPress block to your page content
- Enter the URL you’ve just copied into the block
- Publish or update the content
As a result, the link will automatically turn out to be a GIF file. WordPress Gutenberg editor assists you in changing the dimensions of the embedded GIF via the block customizer as well.
Protect Private GIF Files
Not all animated GIFs should be shown publicly on your site. You may want to secure some valuable files, for instance, how-to’s GIFs, from unauthorized access.
PDA Gold takes the chance to help you guard off your WordPress GIF files with just a few clicks. All you need to do is simply install the plugin, choose the file to protect, and let it handle the rest. We break the process into a step-by-step guide below:
- Install PDA Gold for your site
- Go to Media Library in your WordPress dashboard
- Hover the files you intend to secure and click “Protect” under its name
That’s it! Your GIF image becomes private now. The plugin also blocks search engines from indexing your files. In other words, web surfers can’t find them on search result pages. You have full control over your files via the private link management popup too.
Bonus – Q&A
Despite serving as a file protection plugin provider, our team has received a bunch of questions from users related to GIFs. Apart from how PDA supports GIF files, they want to know more about the following aspects.
#1 Can I Use GIFs from GIPHY on My WordPress Site?
Giphy refers to an online repository allowing any users to post their GIF images. It enables you to use its tool to create GIF files.
And of course, you can download a GIF there and upload it to your site. Still, you must pay attention to image copyright. It’s not appropriate if you just take the work of others and put them on your site.
#2 Can I Copy a GIF and Paste It to My Site?
It’s possible for you to copy the link and paste it into your content. Bear in mind that if the image is published on another site, you’re hotlinking their file. You have taken it down your site when the image owner finds out you’re using their image. Or when they remove it from their site, users can’t see that file on yours.
#3 My GIF Stop Moving, Why?
Many reasons prevent your GIFs from working. Website codes or browsers are the most common. You recommend opening the image in another browser or changing the device.
Another thing to look at is the tool you use to create the GIF. Unfortunately, some software doesn’t allow infinitely looping GIFs. That’s why your images can’t animate after a while.
#4 Is It Possible to Save a GIF as Another File Type?
Sure! You can switch your animated GIF to JPG or PNG. Remember that they will appear as a static image only.
#5 What Are Cons of WordPress GIFs?
Although GIFs are preferable by so many WordPress site owners, you need to consider a few things before applying this file format. It contains 256 colors in the color palette for you to choose from, whilst this number increases to thousands on statics images. You’re also unable to edit the complete GIF file.
#6 Do GIF Files Slow Down My Website?
YES! Unfortunately, a GIF image consists of numerous images and has a too-large size. This affects directly your page loading time. Make sure you apply SEO optimization practices for GIFs and all other files to improve the site’s performance.
Make Use of WordPress GIFs Like a Pro!
GIF images play a key role in your site engagement and increase brand awareness. You’ve learned 2 ways how to add GIFs to WordPress, either manually or using the EmbedPress plugin.
Think about protecting your files to bar unauthorized access and uses. PDA Gold does a great job of securing your GIF images without much hassle.
Opportunity knocks! Don’t hesitate to add and protect your WordPress GIF files now!
