How to Add Giphy to Slack
Want to spice up your Slack conversations with animated GIFs? This guide shows you how to add Giphy to Slack, configure content settings, and use the /giphy command to share GIFs with your team.
Quick Answer
To add Giphy to Slack: Click Apps in the left sidebar, search for GIPHY, click Add to Slack, authorize the app, set your content rating, and click Save Integration. Then type /giphy keyword to send GIFs.
Note: You need workspace admin permissions to install new apps, or ask your admin to add GIPHY for you.
What is GIPHY for Slack?
GIPHY is a popular GIF search engine with millions of animated images. The GIPHY app for Slack integrates directly with your workspace, allowing team members to search and share GIFs without leaving the conversation.
Unlike Slack's built-in GIF picker (powered by Tenor), the GIPHY app offers a larger library, GIPHY Clips with sound, and more control over content ratings. It is the go-to choice for teams who want the full GIPHY experience in Slack.
GIPHY vs Built-in GIF Picker
| Feature | GIPHY App | Built-in (/gif) |
|---|---|---|
| GIF Library | GIPHY (largest) | Tenor |
| Search Term Privacy | Visible to others | Private |
| GIPHY Clips (Sound) | Yes | No |
| Content Rating Control | G, PG, PG-13, R | Admin toggle only |
| Preview Before Sending | Yes (configurable) | Yes |
| Installation Required | Yes | No (built-in) |
Install GIPHY in Slack
Adding Giphy to your Slack workspace takes just a few minutes. Follow these steps to install and set up the GIPHY app:
Step-by-Step Installation
- Open Slack and click on Apps in the left sidebar.
- If you do not see Apps, click More to find it.
- Search for "GIPHY" in the App Directory search bar.
- Click on the GIPHY app when it appears in the results.
- Click "Add to Slack" to begin the installation.
- Authorize the app by clicking Allow when prompted.
- This grants GIPHY permission to post messages in your workspace.
- Configure your settings (see next section for details).
- Click "Save Integration" to complete the setup.
Tip: You can also install GIPHY directly from the Slack App Directory by searching for GIPHY and clicking "Add to Slack".
Permission Required: If you cannot install apps, your workspace admin has restricted app installations. Contact your Slack admin to request GIPHY be added to the workspace.
Configure GIPHY Settings
After installing GIPHY, you can customize how it works in your workspace. These settings help ensure GIFs are appropriate for your team environment.
Content Rating
The content rating controls the maximum maturity level of GIFs that can be shared. Choose the appropriate level for your workplace:
| Rating | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| G | General audience, all ages | Corporate, client-facing |
| PG | Parental guidance suggested | Professional teams |
| PG-13 | May contain mild adult content | Casual teams |
| R | Adult content allowed | Not recommended for work |
Enable GIF Previews
Enabling previews lets users see the GIF privately before sending. This is highly recommended to prevent accidentally sharing inappropriate content.
- Preview enabled: Users see the GIF first, then choose to send or shuffle.
- Preview disabled: GIF sends immediately after selection (risky).
Channel Restrictions
You can restrict GIPHY to specific channels or allow it workspace-wide:
- All channels: GIPHY works everywhere in the workspace.
- Specific channels: Limit GIPHY to designated fun or social channels.
How to Use the /giphy Command
Once GIPHY is installed, you can use the /giphy slash command to search and send GIFs in any channel or direct message where GIPHY is enabled.
Command
/giphy [search term]Examples
/giphy celebration/giphy thank you/giphy mind blownSteps to Send a GIF
- Type /giphy followed by a keyword or phrase in the message field.
- Press Enter to search. GIPHY will return a random matching GIF.
- Click Shuffle to see different GIF options for your search.
- Click Send when you find the perfect GIF.
- Click Cancel if you change your mind.
Note: Your search term appears above the GIF when using /giphy, so everyone in the channel can see what you searched for. Keep search terms professional.
GIPHY Clips (GIFs with Sound)
GIPHY Clips are short video clips with audio. Unlike regular GIFs, clips include sound, making them perfect for movie quotes, reactions, and memorable moments.
How to Send a GIPHY Clip
- Type /giphy in the message field.
- Select "Find and share a Clip" from the dropdown menu that appears.
- Search for a clip using keywords like "mic drop" or "that's what she said".
- Click Shuffle to browse different clips.
- Click Share when you find one you like.
Note: GIPHY Clips play with audio, so be mindful of colleagues in quiet work environments. Recipients can mute clips if needed.
Admin Controls
Workspace admins have full control over how GIPHY is used in the organization. Here are the key admin settings:
Managing GIPHY Settings
- Click your workspace name in the top left.
- Go to Settings & administration > Manage apps.
- Find GIPHY in your installed apps list.
- Click Configuration to adjust settings.
Admin Options
- Content rating: Set the maximum maturity level (G, PG, PG-13, R).
- Channel access: Restrict GIPHY to specific channels.
- Remove GIPHY: Uninstall the app entirely from the workspace.
- User permissions: Control who can configure GIPHY settings.
For Admins: Consider setting the rating to PG or G for professional workspaces. This prevents inappropriate GIFs while still allowing fun team interactions.
Tips & Best Practices
Use specific search terms
Instead of "happy", try "excited jumping" or "celebration dance" for more relevant results.
Always preview before sending
Enable previews in settings to see GIFs before they go to the channel. This prevents accidental inappropriate shares.
Keep search terms professional
Remember that your search term appears above the GIF. Avoid awkward or questionable searches in work channels.
Use GIFs sparingly
Too many GIFs can clutter conversations. Save them for celebrations, reactions, and light moments.
Know your audience
GIFs are great for casual channels but may not be appropriate in client-facing or executive conversations.
Try the Shuffle button
If the first GIF is not quite right, click Shuffle to see more options. GIPHY has millions of GIFs to choose from.
Troubleshooting
/giphy Command Not Working?
- App not installed: GIPHY must be installed in your workspace. Check Apps > Browse Apps > GIPHY.
- Channel restricted: Your admin may have limited GIPHY to certain channels. Try in a different channel.
- Permission denied: You may not have permission to use apps. Contact your workspace admin.
Cannot Install GIPHY?
- Admin restriction: Your workspace settings may prevent app installations. Ask your admin to install GIPHY.
- Already installed: GIPHY may already be in your workspace. Try using /giphy in a channel.
- Enterprise restrictions: Enterprise Grid workspaces may have org-level app restrictions.
GIFs Not Loading?
- Network issues: Some corporate networks block GIPHY's CDN. Try on mobile data to confirm.
- Firewall blocking: Your IT department may need to whitelist giphy.com domains.
- Slow connection: GIFs are large files. Wait for them to load on slower connections.
Inappropriate GIFs Appearing?
- Adjust content rating: Ask your admin to lower the rating from R/PG-13 to PG or G.
- Report to GIPHY: Flag inappropriate GIFs directly on giphy.com to help improve filtering.
- Use generic searches: Avoid ambiguous terms that might return unexpected results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add Giphy to Slack?
Click Apps in the left sidebar, search for "GIPHY" in the App Directory, click "Add to Slack", authorize the app, configure your content rating settings, and click Save Integration.
Why is Giphy not working in Slack?
Common reasons include: the GIPHY app is not installed in your workspace, your admin has restricted app installations, the app is not authorized for your channel, or your corporate network is blocking GIPHY's servers.
How do I use the /giphy command in Slack?
Type /giphy followed by a search term (e.g., /giphy celebration) and press Enter. Slack will show a GIF matching your search. Click Shuffle to see different options, then click Send to share it.
Can I control what GIFs people send in Slack?
Yes, workspace admins can set a maximum content rating (G, PG, PG-13, or R) in the GIPHY app settings. This filters out inappropriate content based on the selected rating.
What is the difference between /gif and /giphy in Slack?
The /gif command is Slack's built-in GIF search powered by Tenor that keeps search terms private. The /giphy command uses the GIPHY app, shows search terms publicly, but offers a larger library and features like GIPHY Clips with sound.
How do I enable GIPHY previews in Slack?
Go to your GIPHY app settings in Slack and check the option to enable previews. This lets you see the GIF privately before sending it, helping you avoid sending inappropriate content.
Can I send GIFs with sound in Slack?
Yes, using GIPHY Clips. Type /giphy, select "Find and share a Clip" from the dropdown, search for a clip, and share it. Clips are short video GIFs with audio.
How do I remove GIPHY from Slack?
Workspace admins can remove GIPHY by going to Settings & administration > Manage apps, finding GIPHY, and clicking Remove. This will disable the /giphy command for all users.
Summary
Adding Giphy to Slack is straightforward once you have the right permissions:
- Install GIPHY from the Slack App Directory.
- Configure settings including content rating and channel access.
- Use /giphy followed by a keyword to search and send GIFs.
- Try GIPHY Clips for GIFs with sound.
Remember to enable previews so you can see GIFs before sending, and keep your search terms professional since they are visible to everyone. If you cannot install GIPHY yourself, ask your workspace admin to add it for the team.
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