YouTube has started a gradual rollout of GIFs in comments in its app, 9to5Google reported on Oct. 14. It cites r/YouTube reports of GIFs under videos, including this thread and this one, and says other posts come from users who do not have the feature yet.
What YouTube has said
YouTube announced the feature at Made On YouTube in September. Its video description says: "GIFs in Comments: React and express yourself using GIFs directly in the comment section." 9to5Google's recap says the mobile comment box will let you search a library of GIFs, on videos and Shorts.
9to5Google says GIFs come from a library inside the app and that it is unclear whether people can upload their own. The video description and YouTube's Made On YouTube creator-tools post name no GIF library provider and do not say whether uploads are allowed.
Who gets it
9to5Google says plenty of users do not have the option yet, that it is unclear how gradual the rollout is, and that it does not seem limited to Premium subscribers. The video description, creator-tools post and viewer-updates post cited here give no date or eligibility for GIF comments and say nothing about this rollout.
What creators can control
The same creator-tools post says YouTube is "testing opt-in AI-powered comment moderation" that "learns your unique moderation style and needs over time." It does not mention GIFs.
YouTube's comment settings page lists holding comments (None, Basic, Strict or Hold all), blocked words, pausing or turning off comments, and limiting commenting to subscribers and members. It does not mention GIFs, so it does not say whether those controls apply to them or whether a channel can switch GIFs off on its own.
Why it matters
Our read: for viewers, 9to5Google says GIFs come from a library in the app and do not seem limited to Premium, so you may see them without paying. 9to5Google's Oct. 14 report gives no date for when everyone gets them.
Our read, creators: YouTube's comment settings page documents no GIF-specific switch, only general controls including holding comments (Strict or Hold all), blocked words, pausing or turning off comments, and limiting commenting to subscribers and members. It does not say those apply to GIFs, so watch your comments once GIFs reach your channel.
What else was announced
9to5Google says the same announcement included custom feeds from quick prompts and more Ask YouTube features for product comparisons, all slated for "this Fall". YouTube's viewer-updates post says custom feeds are coming "soon". Our Ask YouTube story covers the phone rollout.
