

These methods can work both before and after uploading, ensuring the balance between perceived quality and load speed: It refers to a whole range of methods that help reduce image file sizes and make a website lean and fast. Image optimization is not limited to compression. You lose sight of optimization opportunities ❌ Other file types (PNG, WebP) won’t get compressed at all 3. ❌ WP can possibly serve your original unoptimized image and affect website performance

❌ You end up stuck with original images that hog your server space Such a seemingly minor detail can become a thing because: WordPress created six resized copies to fit the theme and compressed them automatically. In this example, I uploaded a 1.28 MB, 2000x1000px image. And even when it comes to JPEG files, not all the resized versions get compressed: the original image remains untouched. WordPress with the standard GD Library enabled will only shrink JPEG files uploaded to the Media Library. Not all of your assets will get compressed ❌ Some images, conversely, won’t be sufficiently compressed 2. ❌ Some images won’t look as sharp and crisp as you need To change it, you’ll need to add a filter to your theme’s functions.php file.Īt the end of the day, you’ll have the same compression level for all assets, which means that: GD Library is enabled by default and offers an 82% JPEG compression level. To perform automatic resize and compression, WordPress uses the PHP-GD extension. There are three possible pitfalls you can face by relying on the standard WordPress functionality. Why native WP compression is not a magic pill Read on to find out the possible benefits for your project and learn to perform image optimization in the least exasperating way. So, why bother doing extra homework and optimize images before uploading?Įven if it sounds like overkill, such a habit can improve your page load speed and save server space. By Yulia Nazarenko image optimization 7 min readĭid you know that WordPress can natively shrink assets in your Media Library? If you upload an image, it will automatically create 5+ resized versions and compress them.
