Twitter GIF button: Site rolls out special search tool for finding GIFs for reactions

The company has added a 'GIF library' that can be used to add animated pictures to tweets and direct messages

There have been various incidents of social media users inadvertently flouting the law (Getty Images)

Twitter has rolled out its GIF button, allowing people to search for animated pictures rather than reacting themselves.

The site will now allow users to access its "GIF library", providing a full selection of picture

Users will be able to search using keywords, or "browse categories of different reactions like Happy Dance, Mic Drop, or YOLO", Twitter said.

The feature will be rolling out to users "over the coming weeks". It will be available on the official apps for iOS and Android, and on Twitter.com.

They will be accessible within tweets or direct messages.

The GIFs are being taken from companies GIPHY and Riffsy, which provide similar services.

“GIPHY delivers real-time GIFs as they happen, helping to power Twitter's live commentary and conversation,” said Alex Chung, founder and CEO of GIPHY, in a statement. “GIPHY’s users are creating GIFs for news, entertainment, sports, and expression that can enrich Tweets. We're excited to work with Twitter to make sharing these GIFs even easier."