You’d think the internet would make dating easier than ever, thanks to all the apps and pre-screenings done for you. But noooo. Navigating the tricky world of dating is that much more difficult online. The horror associated with being unmatched, or otherwise ghosted? Sometimes I just can’t. But according to Bumble, a dating app that only allows women to send the first message in matches, you could find success if you’d just communicate with… GIFs.

The app surveyed 2 million users in 2017 and found GIFs (you know, the seconds-long animation clips) to be the most rewarding method of communication, which isn’t surprising TBH, considering how difficult it is to come up with that first message. In 2016 Buzzfeed reported similar statistics. The site found that not only does sending a GIF increase responses by 30 percent, but using them can also make your conversation last twice as long.

Not only does sending a GIF increase responses by 30 percent, but using them can also make your conversation last twice as long.

Bumble’s survey also looked at communicating in general. First messages should be “short and snappy” and messages between 10–15 words are most likely to get you a response. But messages with zero words and a GIF instead will increase your chances of hearing back from a future mate (er, date) by a whopping 32 percent. A picture is worth a thousand words, they say. Or just one GIF?

Dating app algorithms don’t always work FYI, so maybe instead consider an app that focuses on mindfulness?