LinkedIn has teamed up with Google-owned company, Tenor, to integrate GIFs into direct messaging. Tenor was acquired by Google only weeks ago, but continues to operate as an independent brand. It ...

Along with emoji, GIFs have become the de facto communication tool when words simply aren't enough to properly express what one is feeling. They can be tragic, sad, disgusting, and downright funny.

The news points to the importance of visual shorthands like GIFs in day-to-day communication as well as LinkedIn's desire to not be shut out of an increasingly popular mobile messaging tactic.