How to insert a GIF into an email: A complete guide

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Want to add movement and visual impact to your email marketing? Learning how to put a GIF in an email can transform your campaigns from static to dynamic in just a few steps.

People process GIFs faster than text, making them powerful tools for driving clicks and conversions. Depending on your campaign, your GIFs could be funny (think cat animations) or informational (such as product slideshows).

Join us below to learn how to add a GIF to an email, plus tips to ensure they don’t reduce the quality of your message.

In this post, we’ll cover:

• How to insert a GIF into an email
• How to insert a GIF into Gmail
• How to insert a GIF into an email in Outlook
• How to add a GIF to emails in Omnisend
• Where to find GIFs for emails
• Best practices for adding GIFs in emails
• Examples of using GIFs in email marketing

How to insert a GIF into an email

Inserting a GIF into an email doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, the process of adding them to your emails is fairly similar to the one you’d have to follow to insert images in your emails. 

This guide provides a broad overview you can apply to some of the most popular email marketing apps. In the next sections, we’ll get into the process for Omnisend, Gmail, and Outlook.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to inserting a GIF into your emails:

1. Copy the link of or download your GIF — you can get free GIFs from Giphy, Tenor, and Canva
2. Create a new email in your app
3. Add the GIF using the insert images feature or simply drag and drop it into the email template (or if you copied your GIF, use the right-click menu to paste it)
4. Adjust the dimensions of your GIF to make it appear natural
5. Save the email

Yep, that’s it — quick and seamless.

How to insert a GIF into Gmail

Gmail is one of the most popular email clients out there. However, the process of adding a GIF to your draft emails on the platform is slightly different from the general approach.

To put a GIF in a Gmail: 

1. Click on Compose to open the email drafting box
2. Click on the Insert Photo button to open a dialog box
3. You can either click on Upload and drag-and-drop your GIF or click on Web Address (URL) and paste the GIF’s URL there
4. Click on Insert to add the GIF to your email

How to insert a GIF into an email in Outlook

Outlook is yet another email client that’s widely used by individual and enterprise customers alike. As w Gmail, the process of adding a GIF is slightly different for Outlook, too.

To insert a GIF into an Outlook email: 

1. Click on New Message to create a new email
2. Take the cursor to the spot where you want to add the GIF to your email
3. In the menu, click on Insert and choose Online Pictures for adding online GIFs or Pictures to add a custom GIF you’ve downloaded
4. Select the GIF you want to add or upload and click on Insert

How to add a GIF to emails in Omnisend

If you’re using Omnisend to draft your email campaigns, adding a GIF to your emails is even more straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow:

Step 1: Add the image element to the email

Click on Quick add, drag the Image element into the email body, and release where you want to add the GIF.

Step 2: Choose a GIF file

Click Select file in the menu on the right

Step 3: Upload your GIF

Click Upload from URL or Upload from computer. Choose the GIF from your computer or add the URL you’ve copied. That’s it!

Where to find GIFs for emails

It’s possible to create GIFs yourself, but with countless free options available online, there’s no need to start from scratch. Numerous GIF search websites offer extensive collections — simply browse, search, and pick the perfect GIFs for your emails.

GIPHY

• Serves over 10 billion GIFs every day
• Allows you to upload or create your own GIFs
• Offers over 11 categories of GIFs and stickers

GIPHY is the perfect spot to find GIFs of all types — entertainment, memes, sports, food — you name it. With a vast library catering to every interest, it’s a go-to platform for businesses of all types. Plus, its powerful search feature also simplifies the process of finding the perfect GIF.

Gifs

• Enables you to make your own GIFs and stickers
• Cool effects to make your GIF engaging
• Highlights feature to spot the best bits of your videos for GIFs

While Gifs doesn’t have a collection of GIFs, it’s a platform built for creating your custom GIFs. You can add your videos to the platform and edit them to create a GIF for your email campaigns.

Best practices for adding GIFs in emails

Adding GIFs to your emails creates visual interest and drives engagement. Here are some best practices to follow:

1. Optimize file size

Compress animations to under 1MB by cutting excess frames and trimming color depth. Leaner files load faster across devices and prevent readers from abandoning your message before seeing your offer.

Many subscribers check email on mobile devices with limited data, making optimization essential for preventing abandonments before your message loads.

2. Check email compatibility

Outlook desktop clients display only the first frame of your GIF, while most webmail services show full animations.

Place critical information in the opening frame since Outlook users see only static images. When animations fail to display, add descriptive text alternatives that communicate your message. Before going live, send test versions to your accounts across multiple platforms.

3. Use GIFs with purpose

Add GIFs that drive actions like clicks rather than decorative elements that distract from your message.

Your GIFs could draw eyes to countdown timers, product demonstrations, special offers, or social media buttons. Each moving element should serve your conversion goals rather than only adding visual flair to your layout.

4. Stay on brand

Match your GIF colors, style, and animation speed to your established brand guidelines for visual consistency.

Subscribers form opinions about your professionalism within seconds of opening emails. Using GIFs that clash with your brand identity creates a disconnect that undermines trust and recognition in crowded inboxes.

5. Ensure accessibility

Create inclusive email experiences by avoiding rapid flashing that triggers photosensitive conditions and including descriptive alt text for screen readers.

For more formal messages, opt for minimal motion in GIFs or provide static alternatives. Keep transactional emails GIF-free to ensure important information remains the focus.

Examples of using GIFs in email marketing

Now that you know where you can find GIFs for your emails and the methods of inserting them, let’s explore some practical examples of how GIFs can enhance your email communication:

1. Share your brand’s mission

To’ak Chocolate uses the GIF in this email to give context to what it says in the text. The image slideshow in the GIF shows how To’ak Chocolate is working with TMA to restore previous rainforest lands while boosting farmers’ incomes.

GIFs provide valuable visual support to highlight your brand’s mission. Whether showcasing conservation efforts, promoting diversity, or demonstrating sustainability, they help bring your message to life. For the most authentic impact, consider using a slideshow of images or a blend of videos.

2. Add a countdown for sales promotions

This email from MVMT is the perfect example of how a simple GIF can amplify urgency. The bold headline announces that the sale ends tonight. But the real kicker is a ticking clock GIF right below the CTA, subtly reinforcing the countdown. This clever use of animation taps into customers’ FOMO, boosting its chances of generating sales.

While the countdown above is a simple one, you can maximize its impact by making it larger and placing it front and center. Add a bold, attention-grabbing headline above the timer to amplify urgency and drive action. The key is to use email marketing to spark FOMO in your audience and drive immediate purchases.

3. Introduce your brand in welcome emails

This email from Reternity offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of its products. It’s the perfect way to warmly welcome a customer to the Reternity Family while building trust and transparency.

4. Add some humor

This GIF adds a dash of humor into the email with a bison endlessly walking, a playful nod to life’s hectic pace. The lighthearted touch keeps the reader engaged while subtly nudging them to click on the CTA. The GIF also reinforces brand identity, seamlessly tying in with the company’s bison-themed name and logo.

Cart abandonment emails need to grab attention and motivate action. The right GIF can spark memories of the items left behind in the cart and encourage clicks on the CTA. Humor, in particular, works especially well at capturing people’s attention.

5. Focus attention on the CTA button

One standout feature of the above email is its dynamic text on a static image, which also includes “SAVE NOW” CTA. As the reader opens the email, the text appears over the image, drawing immediate attention — especially to the CTA.

While the above method works well, there are several other creative ways to use GIFs to draw attention to your CTA, including:

• Turning the CTA into a GIF
• Adding a GIF border to the CTA
• Using a GIF to point to the CTA

6. Showcase new products

The above email is a fantastic example of a brand introducing five different products in a single email. The GIF includes a slideshow of five images of each cup that the brand’s promoting, allowing readers to view all of them in just a few seconds — no scrolling needed. The changing imagery also keeps the readers engaged.

GIFs are especially helpful in showcasing your products. They allow you to highlight their functionality, display different angles, and even demonstrate them in action. Unlike static images, GIFs create a more engaging and memorable experience for your audience.

7. Introduce a new feature

The GIF in the above email aptly introduces Omnisend’s new content editor. Rather than relying on a set of screenshots, the GIF more effectively showcases the workings of this new feature. This approach gives the receivers a better look at it for more in-depth understanding.

For digital product launches, a screen recording is an excellent choice to demonstrate new features, while for physical products, showing them in action can be quite impactful. Placing the GIF just below the email header ensures it captures attention right away, making a strong initial impression.

How to insert a GIF into an email: Wrap up

Walls of text are no longer the only option for email marketing, and GIFs are becoming increasingly popular as brands begin to optimize their visual content. While there are various ways to include GIFs in your email campaigns, it’s important to keep them relevant. 

Done correctly, GIFs can add a lively punch to your emails and grab your customers’ attention. These ideas will help you create more effective email campaigns and engage with readers through GIFs.