Giphy for Slack: Setup, Commands & Troubleshooting

If your workspace has the Giphy app installed, try /giphy thank you in a conversation to search for a GIF. If the command isn't available, use Slack's built-in smiley menu → GIFs, or check whether your admin allows the app.

For the quickest way to send an animation on desktop or mobile, start with how to add GIFs in Slack. This guide covers the separate Giphy app, its commands, and settings.

Giphy app or built-in GIF picker?

Option	Where you use it	What to check
Slack's built-in picker	The message field's smiley menu	Whether your workspace has enabled GIFs
Giphy app	/giphy in a conversation, where the app is installed	App availability, approval, and its configuration
Your own GIF file	Message attachments	That you saved an animated file rather than a still preview

Both the app and picker use Giphy content. They have different interfaces, so instructions for one may not apply to the other. Slack's former Giphy help URL now leads to its built-in picker guide.

Set up the Giphy app in your workspace

Open Slack's app directory and search for Giphy. Check the app listing and installation options for your workspace. If you see an approval request instead of an install option, send it to your workspace admin.

After installation, open a conversation and type /giphy to see whether Slack offers the command. Test with a neutral search such as celebrate. Read the controls shown by your installed app before sending; don't assume that every GIF interface has the same preview settings.

If all you need is GIF search inside a message, try the built-in picker before requesting another installation. Slack describes the Giphy app separately in its media-app guide.

Giphy search commands to try

These are search phrases, not separate administrative commands:

What you want to say	Example
Thank a colleague	/giphy thank you
Celebrate a release	/giphy team celebration
Recognize a helpful teammate	/giphy standing ovation
Mark a milestone	/giphy happy work anniversary

Search results vary. Review the animation, then use the send, cancel, or alternative-result controls your app displays. Add the colleague's name and a specific thank-you in your message instead of depending on text embedded in the GIF.

Troubleshoot Giphy in Slack

The command isn't recognized

Check that you're in the workspace where the app is installed. Look for Giphy among installed apps and ask an admin whether it has been removed or restricted. While that is being resolved, the built-in picker or a file upload may meet your needs.

The result is inappropriate or unrelated

Cancel it and try a more specific phrase. If your app exposes content-rating settings, review them with your admin. A rating filter does not guarantee that every result suits every workplace; the sender should still check it.

Can I turn off GIFs in one channel?

Don't assume removing an app from a channel blocks every way of sending GIFs. Members may still use the built-in picker or upload files. Set a clear channel guideline for announcement or incident channels, and use the workspace controls that apply to the actual feature you want to restrict.

Owners and admins can enable or disable the built-in picker under Attach a GIF. That setting does not block uploaded GIFs. See Slack's explanation of GIF permissions.

Can I upload my own animation?

Yes—use a file attachment. For a milestone, choose from our work anniversary GIFs and images and add a personal message. If animation is distracting, use the still-image version.

Turn a recurring celebration into a custom emoji

A reaction is often enough for a quick acknowledgement. Create an image with the Slack emoji maker and use our custom emoji instructions to add it to your workspace.

For birthdays and work anniversaries that should happen on schedule, Asante Bot's celebration automation handles the recurring posts. Check free and paid celebration features before choosing a plan.