P1Issue #3
Efficiently encode Images
❓ What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Images often make up the largest portion of a webpage’s size. If they are not properly optimized (compressed, resized, or served in the right format), they increase page load time and hurt SEO performance.
Efficient image encoding means serving images in a way that reduces file size without losing visible quality.
🚨 Why is it important for SEO?
Why is it important for SEO?
Page Speed Boost → Smaller images load faster, improving Core Web Vitals (especially Largest Contentful Paint – LCP).
Mobile Optimization → On slow networks, optimized images prevent long waits and reduce bounce rates.
Better Rankings → Google considers load speed and LCP in SEO rankings.
Improved User Experience → Crisp, fast-loading images improve engagement and conversion.
✅ How to Fix It
✅ How to Fix It
Use next-gen formats like WebP or AVIF instead of PNG/JPEG.
Compress images (lossless or lossy) with tools like ImageOptim, Squoosh, TinyPNG.
Serve responsive images with srcset to load smaller versions on mobile.
Lazy load offscreen images so they load only when needed.
Resize images to match display size (don’t load a 2000px image for a 200px space).
❌ Bad Example
📌 Example
❌ Bad (Unoptimized Image):
<img src="/images/banner.jpg" width="400" height="200" alt="Summer Sale Banner">
File size: 1.5MB (JPEG, uncompressed)
Slows down page load and LCP.
✅ Good Example
✅ Good (Optimized Image):
<picture>
<source srcset="/images/banner.avif" type="image/avif">
<source srcset="/images/banner.webp" type="image/webp">
<img src="/images/banner.jpg" width="400" height="200" alt="Summer Sale Banner" loading="lazy">
</picture>
File size reduced to 150KB (AVIF/WebP)
Loads 10× faster with no visible quality loss
Lazy loads for better performance
⚡ Result
⚡ Result
LCP improvement → Faster above-the-fold rendering
Lower bandwidth usage → Great for mobile users
SEO benefits → Higher Core Web Vitals scores, better ranking signals
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does efficiently encoding images mean?
It means optimizing images to reduce file size without losing visible quality, which helps improve page load times.
How does image optimization impact SEO?
Optimized images lead to faster page loads, better Core Web Vitals scores, and improved user experience, all of which positively affect SEO rankings.
What are some recommended image formats for the web?
Next-gen formats like WebP and AVIF are recommended as they offer better compression and quality compared to traditional formats like JPEG and PNG.
What tools can I use to optimize images?
Tools like ImageOptim, Squoosh, and TinyPNG can help compress and optimize images effectively.
What is lazy loading for images?
Lazy loading is a technique where images are only loaded when they are about to enter the viewport, reducing initial page load time.