Google kills Tenor GIF API, forcing changes at X, Discord, and more
Summary
Google has stopped supporting the Tenor GIF API as of June 30, 2026. This API allowed platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Discord, and others to provide easy access to animated GIFs, but they are now shifting to alternative services.Key Facts
- Tenor is a database of searchable GIFs used by many platforms to share animated images.
- Google bought Tenor in 2018 and integrated it into some of its products like Gboard and Google Messages.
- Google began winding down the Tenor API earlier this year and officially ended support on June 30, 2026.
- The shutdown affects sites like X, Discord, WhatsApp, and Bluesky, forcing them to switch to other GIF providers like Giphy and Klipy.
- Users will see different GIF selections depending on the new services these platforms use.
- Google said they ended the API to focus their resources elsewhere and likely because the service was free and not profitable.
- Tenor as a website still exists and continues to serve GIFs for Google’s own apps.
- Klipy, one of the alternatives gaining popularity, was founded by Tenor’s original founder and recently received funding including from Google.
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