Quick answer
OpenAI's Images 2.6 model in ChatGPT turns a prompt or photo into a short looping GIF. Brands can use it for a gently moving mascot, an eye-catching product shot or a quick GIF for stories and chats. In our test on a ChatGPT Go account, it made a 3-second, 9-frame logo loop, but not on the first try. Keep the motion subtle and check it on a phone first.
What changed?
OpenAI has updated the image model inside ChatGPT to Images 2.6. News reports say you can now make an animated GIF from a text prompt or from a photo, change its speed, and edit it frame by frame. The same reports say images are generated about 50% faster than before.
We could not open OpenAI's own announcement page, so these details come from news reports: The Decoder, Neowin and BetaNews.
How could a brand use it?
These are ideas, not results. We have only run one small test, shown further down.
- Bring a mascot or logo to life. A small blink, wave or bounce can make a brand character feel friendly.
- Make a product shot catch the eye. A little steam, sparkle or slow movement can make a still photo stop the scroll.
- Make a quick fun GIF. Good for a story reply, a WhatsApp greeting or a festival wish.
How do you try it?
This is the general flow from the reports, plus one thing we saw in our own test below. The rollout may be gradual, so you may not see it yet.
- Open ChatGPT and start a new chat.
- Describe the image you want, or upload a photo you already have.
- Ask for it as an animated GIF with a small motion, for example a gentle wave or a slow sparkle.
- If you get a still image with no motion, ask again for an animated, looping GIF.
- Check the result on a phone, then download it. If your logo or label changed, ask again or do not post it.
Our test: a logo GIF
We ran one small test on a ChatGPT Go account. At first it did not give us any motion. A later try gave us a short looping GIF of our own logo, with a gold light sweeping across it.
The prompt we gave it, with our logo uploaded:
Make this image into a short looping animated GIF. Keep the logo exactly as it is: same shape, colors, spelling and position. Do not redraw or change it. Only add a small motion: a soft gold glow that slowly sweeps across the logo from left to right, then repeats. Dark background stays the same. Smooth loop, about 3 seconds.
This is one test on one account, so treat it as a single example, not a rule. Check any result before you post it, especially the logo and spelling.
What is one tip before you post?
Keep the motion subtle. Do not let the tool change your logo, your colours or your product label. Watch the GIF on a phone, at normal size, and ask if it still looks like your brand. If anything looks odd, do not post it.
Where does editing fit in?
A GIF is a short loop. A reel still needs a strong first line, clear captions and a clean cut. We edit from your own footage, and we show you a draft before it goes anywhere. See how we work with food and D2C brands and aesthetic, skin and hair clinics.
Frequently asked questions
Can What The Cuts help my brand use AI tools like this?
Yes. What The Cuts is an AI content studio. We help brands with strategy, scripts, AI video, editing, captions, covers and posting, mostly from your own footage.
What is ChatGPT Images 2.6?
It is OpenAI's updated image model in ChatGPT. According to news reports, it generates images about 50% faster and can turn a text prompt or a photo into a short looping GIF.
Can a brand use Images 2.6 GIFs for marketing?
Possibly, for light uses such as a subtle animated mascot, a product shot with small motion, or a fun GIF for stories and chats. Check the result on a phone and keep your logo and colours unchanged.
Why didn't my GIF move?
In our test, the first try gave us no motion. A later try gave a looping GIF. If you get a still image, ask again and say you want an animated, looping GIF.
Does it work on ChatGPT Go?
In our one test on a ChatGPT Go account, it did make a GIF, but not on the first try. This is one test on one account, so it does not show what every plan gets.