Google kills yet another API, shutting out all non-Google platforms from favoured gif database
Google has shut down the Tenor API, cutting off non-Google platforms from access to the popular GIF database. The service deprecation, which began restricting new sign-ups and integrations in January 2026, officially concluded on June 30, 2026. Windows 11 users experienced immediate consequences, with the operating system’s emoji panel (accessed via Windows key + period) displaying a “GIF service is not available” message across versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1. Microsoft has since confirmed the issue and released an optional update to resolve the problem. The shutdown represents another example of Google discontinuing APIs that third-party platforms had integrated, forcing developers and users to find alternative solutions for GIF search and sharing functionality. While developers had months of advance notice beginning in January, the practical impact on end-users was immediate and noticeable, particularly for Windows users accustomed to accessing GIFs through the native emoji picker.