Google Shuts Down Tenor API & Users Are Losing Their Favorite GIFs
If you've noticed something feels off when searching for a GIF on Discord, like the right GIF isn't appearing even when you type the same search you've used countless times before, you're not imagining things. Google is shutting down the Tenor API today. While the Tenor website and its searchable GIF library will remain available, platforms such as X, Discord, Bluesky, and WhatsApp must now replace their Tenor integrations with alternative GIF services.
Throughout the years, the platform became a key piece of internet pop culture, producing easy to insert gifs of the newest memes and stories. But this is coming to an end today. Google announced earlier this year that it would discontinue the Tenor API as part of what it described as an effort to “focus resources” on its core products. New API sign-ups and integrations were no longer accepted in January 2026. As of June 30, all API agreements and existing integrations have been fully decommissioned, and any requests sent to the API now return errors.
This does not mean Tenor itself is disappearing. The Tenor website remains online with its searchable GIF library intact, and Google continues to use the service across its own products, including Gboard and Google Messages. What has changed is that outside companies can no longer access Tenor's GIF database through the API that once powered their GIF pickers. For users, the biggest impact will likely be the GIFs they can access inside their favorite apps. Different GIF providers maintain different libraries, search systems, and moderation policies.
Several major platforms have already completed migrations to alternative providers. Some users noticed the transition when their recently used GIF history disappeared, and search results changed. Discord began testing replacements months before the shutdown, evaluating both Giphy and Klipy as alternatives. Many users now report seeing Klipy integrated into the platform. WhatsApp has also been working on a transition to Klipy, while Bluesky appears to be making a similar move.
An interesting twist is that one of Tenor's founders, Frank Nawabi, is now involved with Klipy, one of the companies benefiting from the transition. Klipy recently raised $3.8 million in funding, with Google among its investors.
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