Need a GIF? Check Out Hulu's New Search Engine

Looking for the perfect GIF to express how you're feeling? Hulu might have just the thing.

The streaming video service just launched a new search engine on Tumblr for animated graphics. Think Giphy, but just for Hulu shows.

The new site, dubbed "The Perfect GIF," lets you search for and browse TV-themed GIFs by show, actions (such as cleaning, cooking, dancing, driving, etc.), or reactions (like bored, confused, disappointed, and excited).

The site currently has more than 1,400 GIFs from shows on networks like Comedy Central, ABC, NBC, MTV, Bravo, and more. That includes current favorites like Saturday Night Live, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Parks and Recreation, and even throwbacks like Alf, Star Trek, Cheers, and Clarissa Explains it All.

You can search for GIFs from specific shows or browse categories like LOL, Current TV, OMG, Fail, and Swag.

As TechCrunch points out, this is obviously a marketing tool for Hulu and its content partners, so all the GIFs you find on the site have a little Hulu hashtag on the lower right corner, along with the show's logo on the left. Hulu told the news outlet that it can offer a better selection and higher-quality GIFs than you'll find on competing sites thanks to its content licensing agreements with partners.

Any GIFs found on the site can be shared on Tumblr, Twitter, Pinterest, or via email. Hulu said it will update the site on a daily basis, and add new GIFs within "days or weeks" after new episodes air, according to TechCrunch.

Meanwhile on the GIF-search front, Giphy — one of the Web's better-known search engines for animated graphics — late last month acquired GIF messaging app developer Nutmeg. The move is intended to strengthen Giphy's mobile portfolio and the company has ambitious aims in that regard.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade.

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes.

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app.

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth.

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light.

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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