(Internet) A small animated graphic for use on a webpage, usually taking the form of a picture or phrase with blinking lights around it.
2007, Lisa Nakamura, Digitizing Race: Visual Cultures of the InternetThe buddyicon.info Web site offers thousands of AIM buddy icons (28838 by my most recent count), as well as "away" icons and "blinkies"...
2007, Joelle Reeder, Katherine Scoleri, The IT Girl's Guide to Blogging with MoxieYou want people to be able to find your entries; try to keep the extra bling, like distracting scripts and blinkies, to a minimum.
2012, Kim Golombisky, Rebecca Hagen, White Space is Not Your EnemyDon't animate your visuals to blink ad infinitum. Set a small-file blinkie to turn off after no more than three passes at whatever it is your blinkie does.
