YouTube trials GIF-o-matic animated image generator on select video channels

YouTube has answered the call of GIF addicts with a new share option allowing users to generate looping animations from video clips.

When clicking the ‘Share’ button under select YouTube videos, users will now find another option alongside ‘Share’, ‘Embed’ and ‘Email’. The much-hallowed term: ‘GIF’.

GIFs are vastly popular image files that are used to share looping animations. While online platforms to convert YouTube video clips into GIF form already exist, YouTube is making the first steps towards making this available within the video-hosting website itself.

The process is as simple as any other video-sharing options. Users simply select the clip of a maximum of six seconds in length, add image macro-style text across the top and bottom if so desired, then click ‘Create GIF’.

The result is a direct link to the GIF hosted on the YouTube platform, or an embeddable iframe.

Blogger Andy Baio tweeted the revelation on Friday afternoon when he spotted the function on the PBS Idea Channel.

Whoa, YouTube’s rolling out the ability to make animated GIFs from videos! Click Share on any @pbsideachannel video: pic.twitter.com/pq0Tb6Wqzr

— Andy Baio (@waxpancake) December 12, 2014

A number of other channels have since been discovered with the GIF generator enabled, including Vsauce, Vlogbrothers, Mental Floss, It’s Okay To Be Smart, Epic Rap Battles of History, AsapScience, Vi Hart, Good Mythical Morning, and Ireland’s own YouTube superstar, Clisare.

^{GIF via Vi Hart/YouTube}

^{GIF via vlogbrothers/YouTube}

^{GIF via It’s Okay To Be Smart/YouTube}

^{GIF via Clisare/YouTube}

Have you spotted any more YouTube channels with GIF-sharing enabled? Let us know on Twitter.

YouTube image by Chukcha via Shutterstock