When Steve Wilhite created the Graphics Interchange Format 30 years ago, he never thought it would take the internet by storm like it did.
That's the GIF by the way.
Thirty years later, people around the world communicate with the animated form of expression now more than ever.
More than 25,000 GIFS are shared on Facebook every minute, with over 13 billion shared in the last year.
Here's how Facebook's marking its birthday:
The social internet giant just announced that you can now use GIFs in comments.
- Just tap the GIF button when you go to type in what you're looking to say, and add the GIF that really nails the message.
It's also hosting a global GIF party.
- GIPHY Studios have created 20 GIFs featuring some of the internet's most recognisable faces: DNCE, Logan Paul, Amanda Cerny, DREEZY, Patrick Starr, Violet Benson, Wuz Good, Brandi Marie, and Landon Moss.
- Each GIF is a unique and shareable morsel of human expression.
- They will be available to use by searching #GIFparty when sharing a GIF on Facebook or Messenger or by visiting GIPHY.com/Facebook.
GIF or JIF?
- GIF creator Steve Wilhite pronounced it as "JIF" which created a lot of controversy - many saying that's just a cleaning product, and the right way to pronounce it is "GIF". So what is it? Hard or soft G?
- Facebook's looking to solve the debate over how the word GIF is pronounced once and for all. Over the next few days, you might see a poll on Facebook asking you to cast your vote. You can also vote by visiting Facebook's official page on your mobile phone.
- To find the page, search for "Facebook" in the main Facebook app.
So go on, get "GIFfing"... or "JIFfing"... whatever floats your internet boat.
Social media presenter Aziz Al-Sa'afin looks at the biggest trends of the day.
Watch the video for the full interview.
