Google has added a new filter to its image search that lets users quickly look for animated GIFs.
GIF image files are a series of looping images that together look like a short video clip, commonly used in traditional banner ads and chat forums.
Starting today, when a user conducts an image search, they can click on “Search tools” below the search box, then select “Animated” under the “Any type” dropdown box.
Google announced the new filter on its Google+ account Tuesday morning, enlightening users about the origins of the image file format.
“Gifs have been around since 1987 and have become the de facto standard for short animations on the Web, from pony glitter text to grumpy cat memes,” the company said in its post.
Although GIFs are more than 25 years old, the image format has enjoyed a recent renaissance thanks to websites that make it easier to share and create that type of file.
The social network Tumblr and social news site Reddit, have become particular havens for GIFs.
As an example, Google linked to this GIF of a slow loris eating a rice ball.
Enjoy:
Read the full announcement here
