An animated GIF is a GIF image that supports animation. It allows a sequence of frames to be displayed in a continuous loop, creating the illusion of movement. Unlike video formats that require a dedicated media player, animated GIFs can be easily displayed and shared across various platforms and web browsers. They have been widely used on websites, social media, and messaging platforms to convey short animations, simple illustrations, or humorous clips.

Animated GIFs are popular due to their simplicity, compatibility, and small file sizes. They can be created from a series of individual images or a video using an online tool like this one. Additionally, GIFs can also be edited or optimized to reduce their file size without compromising the quality of the animation.

With the rise of HTML5 and browser support for video and animation using technologies like CSS and JavaScript, GIFs have faced competition from these newer formats. However, they still maintain their popularity for their ease of use and compatibility with older browsers and platforms.