Now send GIFs while messaging on LinkedIn
LinkedIn users will now be able to send GIFs while messaging on the platform. Online GIF repository Tenor is exclusively powering GIF search within LinkedIn Messages "to help professionals build stronger relationships by communicating in a more visual and expressive way." The update is already available for 50% of LinkedIn users and will soon roll out for the rest.
Users will be able to search GIFs via a new GIF button in the message compose field, access trending GIFs, and soon will also be able to access custom GIF streams that will be based on which GIF is being used the most within LinkedIn.
The news comes after Google recently acquired Tenor to tap the increasing popularity around GIFs and bring them inside its other services like Google Images and Gboard more seamlessly. Tenor already powers a large portfolio of messaging platforms as a GIF search tool including Facebook Messenger. In fact, it is reported to power over 12 billion GIF searches every month.
According to Tenor, message exchange on LinkedIn has increased by 60% in the past year. In addition, the company also claims that 7 in 10 US adults use GIFs. In future, Tenor can leverage its capabilities on the platform by placing sponsored GIFs inside its quick search interface, opening up a new, unique, and rather appealing advertising category for brands.
Tenor said, "As messaging continues to grow, tools for communicating the nuance and emotion typically found in face-to-face conversations are becoming more important. GIFs, combined with Tenor's deep understanding of how people use them, are increasingly filling that need."
