<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Some Twitter users are expressing major disbelief \u2014 after discovering the social network no longer allows them to upload animated GIFs as their personal avatars. \nPreviously, users had been forced to use workarounds to post animated avatars because of Twitter's profile photo policy. Those tactics appear to have stopped working. \nIllustrator Chris Torres, who introduced Nyan Cat to the masses in 2011 and now has a Twitter account with an animated avatar of the meme (see below), experimented unsuccessfully Thursday after hearing the news. \n\"Oh wow, I just tried to upload an animated avatar on an unused alt account and it didn't animate,\" Torres told Mashable. \"That's scary! But it\u2019s also cool knowing we\u2019re part of an exclusive animated GIF club.\"\nPeople with existing animated avatars won't be affected by the GIF freeze-out, according to Twitter's Help Center, which details the company's policy against animated avatars: \n\n\n\nWe asked Twitter whether the policy became stricter on Thursday or if that's just when people began to take notice, and we're still waiting for a response. \n\"I've never really seen the big deal on why people look down on those who have animated avatars,\" says Torres, who thinks Twitter clamped down on GIFs because people were uploading GIFs several megabytes large (Twitter requires avatar photos, 700 KB or smaller in size). \nHere is Torres's account that employs an animated avatar:\n\nOh my god! twitter.com/PRguitarman/st\u2026\n\u2014 PRguitarman (@PRguitarman) September 19, 2012\n\nOther Twitter users reacted this way: \n\nWell, looks like Twitter has disabled the uploading of animated gifs as avatars. Get ready for mine to stay this way for ever!\n\u2014 Alex Rubens (@alexrubens) September 20, 2012\n\n\nThank god. From now on, animated GIFs will be seen only where they belong: In Buzzfeed posts. buzzfeed.com/jwherrman/rip-\u2026 via @redgirlsays\n\u2014 Dylan Tweney (@dylan20) September 20, 2012\n\n\nHey! @twitter &amp; @jack! When am I gonna be able to upload animated GIFs again? My fans are asking about my fantastic animated avatars!\n\u2014 Heathcliff (@kimasa) September 20, 2012\n\nBONUS: What People Are Doing With Twitter's New Header Photo Area\nTwitter updated its profile page design this week. Here's how people are utilizing it.\n\n\nCreative Twitter Header Images\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1. @AnthonyQuintano\n\nNBC's Anthony Quintano thought outside the box when designing his new header image.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2. @alexmiz\n\nSo now we all know Batman's true secret identity...\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3. @RyanSeacrest\n\nSeacrest was among the first to adjust his header image to the new Twitter design.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4. @alroker\n\nAl Roker also adapted quickly to the new layout. Wonder if this map will change with the hourly forecast?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5. @Brad\n\nGood use of a rich, bold color can really make a header image pop.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n6. @bgardner\n\nThen again, there's something to be said for stark black and white.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n7. @mattbrett\n\nOr you could fill that space behind the profile pic with your hobbies and passions.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n8. @allieleww\n\nA lush sunset (or sunrise, of course) will throw dazzling colors behind your profile pic.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n9. @GoddardMike\n\nEmphasize the colors in your profile pic by turning the header image grayscale. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n10. @dickc\n\nThe CEO of Twitter himself has an updated header image of a serene mountain vista.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n      window._msla=window.loadScriptAsync||function(src,id){if(document.getElementById(id))return;var js=document.createElement('script');js.id=id;js.src=src;document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0].parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);};\n_msla(\"//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\",\"twitter_jssdk\");"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/09/20/twitter-animated-gifs-policy/?amp>