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Google Pulls the Plug On Tenor API, Killing GIF Pickers Around the Web

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Why This Matters

Google's decision to shut down the Tenor API impacts numerous platforms that relied on it for GIF integration, including Twitter/X, Discord, and WhatsApp. This move highlights the importance of API stability and diversification for digital services, affecting user experience and platform functionality. Consumers may notice fewer GIF options and disruptions in their favorite messaging apps as a result.

Key Takeaways

Google has shut down the Tenor API, breaking GIF pickers in services that still relied on it and forcing platforms such as X to migrate elsewhere. 9to5Google notes that the library itself remains available at Tenor.com and "integrations within Google products are also still active, including Gboard, Google Messages, and more." From the report: The Tenor API has been rejecting new API sign-ups in January of this year, but existing integrations remained in place. This week, though, they're shutting down, and any integrations that remain in place will stop working on July 1. The support page adds details that "any API or Ads Distribution Agreements" with Tenor will be terminated on June 30, while "current integrations" will be "fully decommissioned" as of June 30. One of the most notable examples here is Twitter/X, which has relied on Tenor for its GIF picker for years. Twitter/X Head of Product Nikita Bier confirmed that the platform has migrated elsewhere, which is why the "recently used" section was purged, and why you might notice fewer GIF options when posting. Other platforms affected include Discord, WhatsApp, and Bluesky.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.