Random

Retrieves a random GIF from Giphy's vast library. This node can return completely random GIFs or filter results by a specific tag, making it ideal for adding unpredictable, entertaining content to your automations.

Common Properties

• Name - The custom name of the node.
• Color - The custom color of the node.
• Delay Before (sec) - Waits in seconds before executing the node.
• Delay After (sec) - Waits in seconds after executing node.
• Continue On Error - Automation will continue regardless of any error. The default value is false.

info

If the ContinueOnError property is true, no error is caught when the project is executed, even if a Catch node is used.

Inputs

This node has no required inputs. All parameters are optional and configured in the Options section.

Options

• Tag - Optional tag to filter random results. When empty, returns a completely random GIF from all of Giphy. When specified, returns a random GIF matching that tag (e.g., "cat", "happy", "dance").
• Rating - Content rating filter to restrict results. Options:
  • g - Suitable for all audiences (default)
  • pg - Parental guidance suggested
  • pg-13 - Parents strongly cautioned
  • r - Restricted to adults
• API Key - Your Giphy API key credential for authentication. Required for all requests.

Output

• resp - API response object containing:
  • data - A single random GIF object with URLs, metadata, and rating information
  • meta - API status information

How It Works

The Random node retrieves a random GIF from Giphy:

1. Retrieves authentication credentials from the credential manager
2. Constructs API request with optional tag filter and rating
3. Sends GET request to Giphy's random endpoint
4. Receives a single random GIF that matches the criteria
5. Stores the response in the output variable
6. Each execution returns a different random GIF (with very rare duplicates)

Example Usage

Completely Random GIF

// Get any random GIF (Tag left empty)
// After node execution:
let randomGifUrl = msg.resp.data.images.original.url;
let randomTitle = msg.resp.data.title;

Tag-Filtered Random GIF

// Get random GIF with specific tag
msg.Tag = "dogs";
// After node execution, you'll get a random dog GIF
let dogGifUrl = msg.resp.data.images.original.url;

Random GIF Generator Loop

// Generate 5 random cat GIFs
msg.Tag = "cats";
msg.randomGifs = [];

// Use Loop node to run Random node 5 times
// In each iteration:
msg.randomGifs.push(msg.resp.data.images.original.url);

Surprise Me Feature

// User clicks "Surprise Me" button
msg.Tag = ""; // Completely random
msg.Rating = "g"; // Keep it family-friendly
// Display result: msg.resp.data.images.fixed_height.url

Daily Random Greeting

// Scheduled automation for daily email/message
let greetingTags = ["good morning", "hello", "welcome"];
msg.Tag = greetingTags[Math.floor(Math.random() * greetingTags.length)];
// Send random greeting GIF in email

Common Use Cases

1. Chatbot Personality - Add unpredictability to chatbot responses with random reaction GIFs
2. Daily Content - Send a random motivational or funny GIF in daily newsletters or notifications
3. User Engagement - Create "Random GIF" or "Surprise Me" features in applications
4. Testing - Generate random visual content for testing UI layouts or email templates
5. Icebreakers - Start meetings or conversations with random fun GIFs
6. Gamification - Award random celebratory GIFs for achievements or milestones
7. Content Variety - Prevent repetition in automated posts by randomizing GIF selections

Tips

• Use Tags for Context - While fully random GIFs are fun, tagged random GIFs are more contextually appropriate
• Cache Avoidance - Each call returns a different GIF, perfect for keeping content fresh
• Combine with Conditions - Use different tags based on conditions (time of day, user preferences, etc.)
• Fallback Strategy - Have a default GIF ready in case the API returns unexpected content
• Multiple Attempts - If you don't like a random result, simply call the node again
• Tag Variety - Use multiple related tags and randomize between them for more variety
• Preview Before Use - When possible, show a preview before publishing random content
• Rating Filters - Always use appropriate rating filters for your audience

Error Handling

The node will return errors in the following cases:

• ErrCredentials - API key is missing, invalid, or credential retrieval failed
• ErrRuntime - Network error, API timeout, or invalid API response

Common Errors and Solutions

Error	Cause	Solution
Failed to get API key	Credential not configured	Add Giphy API key to credential manager
Failed to call Giphy API	Network/connectivity issue	Check internet connection and retry
Failed to decode API response	Invalid API response	Check Giphy service status
403 Forbidden	Invalid API key	Verify API key is correct and active
429 Too Many Requests	Rate limit exceeded	Implement rate limiting or cache results

Response Structure

{
  "data": {
    "type": "gif",
    "id": "3o7btPCcdNniyf0ArS",
    "url": "https://giphy.com/gifs/...",
    "images": {
      "original": {
        "url": "https://media.giphy.com/media/.../giphy.gif",
        "width": "500",
        "height": "281"
      },
      "downsized": { ... },
      "fixed_height": { ... },
      "preview_gif": { ... }
    },
    "title": "Random GIF Title",
    "rating": "g",
    "user": { ... }
  },
  "meta": {
    "status": 200,
    "msg": "OK"
  }
}

Note: Unlike search or trending endpoints, the random endpoint returns a single GIF object in the data field, not an array.

Best Practices

1. Always check that msg.resp.data exists before accessing properties
2. The response structure is different from search/trending (single object vs array)
3. Use specific tags when context matters; leave empty for true randomness
4. Implement error handling for inappropriate content (even with rating filters)
5. Consider caching random GIFs for a session to avoid excessive API calls
6. Test with different tags to find the best variety for your use case
7. Combine multiple tags in separate calls for more diverse random selections
8. Store GIF ID along with URL for potential future retrieval

Random vs Search vs Trending

Feature	Random	Search	Trending
Result Count	1 GIF	Multiple GIFs	Multiple GIFs
Predictability	Unpredictable	Predictable	Semi-predictable
Tag/Query	Optional tag	Required query	None
Use Case	Surprise/variety	Find specific content	Current popular content
Repeatability	Different each time	Same for same query	Changes hourly

Tag Recommendations

Popular tags that work well with Random:

• Emotions: "happy", "sad", "excited", "surprised", "confused"
• Animals: "cat", "dog", "panda", "penguin", "sloth"
• Actions: "dance", "laugh", "wave", "thumbs up", "applause"
• Celebrations: "party", "birthday", "congratulations", "success"
• Reactions: "wow", "omg", "yes", "no", "maybe"
• Greetings: "hello", "goodbye", "good morning", "welcome"