Image Optimization

Image optimization encompasses a set of techniques for reducing image file sizes and improving their discoverability without sacrificing visual quality. This includes choosing the right file format (WebP or AVIF over JPEG/PNG for photos), compressing images to appropriate quality levels, serving responsive images via srcset attributes, specifying explicit width and height to prevent layout shifts, and writing descriptive alt text.

From an SEO perspective, optimized images load faster (improving LCP and overall page speed), contribute to lower Cumulative Layout Shift scores, and are more likely to appear in Google Image Search when properly described with alt attributes and surrounding contextual text. Large, unoptimized images are one of the most common causes of poor Core Web Vitals scores on content-rich pages.