At first, some users added big GIFs to imgur etc. Next, imgur et al  re-code GIF back to videos, for better bandwidth, especially on mobile.
In response, people create sites that turn entire youtube videos into GIFs, because imgur etc “can handle” GIFs that size. And suddenly, imgur is just a shitty copy of youtube with better navigation and social features, but no sound.
Someone done fucked up, and if I’ve learned one thing in this business, you cannot blame users.
My guess: someone’s hackweek project to reduce bandwidth requirement has completely changed what their site is about.
Mow they are a silent video hosting site. I bet you that nobody in management decided that this was the strategic direction they wanted to go in.