ProRank SEO
Docs/Performance/Image Optimization

Image Optimization

Automatic image compression with Jpegli, AVIF, JXL, WebP, and intelligent lazy loading

2025 Edition

Overview

ProRank SEO's Image Optimization delivers enterprise-grade image processing with cloud and local optimization, AI-powered smart cropping, and automatic Jpegli/WebP/AVIF/JXL generation. Process millions of images with our scalable infrastructure, reducing sizes by up to 85% while maintaining perfect visual quality.

80% Smaller

Reduce image file sizes without visible quality loss

Next-gen Formats

Automatic conversion to Jpegli/WebP/AVIF/JXL with smart fallbacks

Lazy Loading

Load images only when they enter the viewport

License Tiers & Quotas

🏆 Agency License:100,000 images/year (8,333/month)
💼 Business License:20,000 images/year (1,666/month)
⭐ Pro License:5,000 images/year (416/month)
💳 Additional Credits:30,000 images for $5

Processing Methods

Cloud Optimization

Powered by prorank.io

  • Sharp-based pipeline with libvips 8.17 + Jpegli/AVIF/JXL
  • pngquant → oxipng → ECT final pass for PNG
  • AI-powered smart cropping
  • JPEG XL ready for 2025
  • No server resource usage

Local Optimization

On your server

  • GD Library or ImageMagick
  • No external dependencies
  • Complete data privacy
  • Works offline
  • Limited by server resources

Automatic Fallback

ProRank automatically selects the best optimization method based on your license and server capabilities. Cloud optimization is preferred for Pro+ licenses, with automatic fallback to local processing if needed.

Automatic Compression

Smart Compression Engine

Every image uploaded to your WordPress media library is automatically compressed using advanced algorithms that maintain visual quality while dramatically reducing file size.

Lossless Compression

  • Perfect for logos and graphics
  • No quality loss whatsoever
  • 20-30% size reduction
  • Preserves transparency

Lossy Compression

  • Ideal for photographs
  • Imperceptible quality difference
  • 60-80% size reduction
  • Adjustable quality levels

Compression Results

JPEG Photos

Original:2.4 MB
Optimized:420 KB
82% smaller

PNG Graphics

Original:856 KB
Optimized:198 KB
77% smaller

WebP Conversion

JPEG:420 KB
WebP:168 KB
60% smaller

Modern Format Conversion

WebP & AVIF Support

Automatically generates WebP and AVIF versions of your images, serving the most efficient format based on browser support while maintaining fallbacks for older browsers.

WebP Format

  • • 25-35% smaller than JPEG
  • • Supports transparency
  • • 95% browser support
  • • Lossless & lossy options

AVIF Format

  • • 50% smaller than JPEG
  • • Better quality at low bitrates
  • • 75% browser support
  • • HDR support

Automatic Format Selection

Generated HTMLhtml
<!-- ProRank automatically generates picture elements with fallbacks -->
<picture>
  <source srcset="image.avif" type="image/avif">
  <source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp">
  <img src="image.jpg" alt="Description" loading="lazy" width="800" height="600">
</picture>

Smart Delivery

ProRank automatically detects browser capabilities and serves the most efficient format. Modern browsers get WebP/AVIF, while older browsers receive optimized JPEG/PNG.

Responsive Images

Automatic Srcset Generation

Creates multiple image sizes and generates responsive srcset attributes, ensuring users download only the size they need for their device and viewport.

Generated Sizes

Mobile

  • • 320w - Small phones
  • • 480w - Standard phones
  • • 768w - Tablets

Desktop

  • • 1024w - Small desktop
  • • 1440w - Standard desktop
  • • 1920w - Full HD

Retina

  • • 2x versions
  • • 3x for mobile
  • • Original for 4K
Responsive Image Outputhtml
<img 
  src="image-1024.jpg"
  srcset="
    image-320.webp 320w,
    image-480.webp 480w,
    image-768.webp 768w,
    image-1024.webp 1024w,
    image-1440.webp 1440w,
    image-1920.webp 1920w"
  sizes="(max-width: 320px) 280px,
         (max-width: 480px) 440px,
         (max-width: 768px) 728px,
         100vw"
  alt="Responsive image"
  loading="lazy"
  width="1920"
  height="1080">

Intelligent Lazy Loading

Progressive Image Loading

Images load only as they approach the viewport, reducing initial page weight and improving Core Web Vitals scores. Includes LQIP (Low Quality Image Placeholders) for better UX.

Native Lazy Loading

  • Browser-native implementation
  • No JavaScript required
  • SEO friendly
  • Automatic for all images

Smart Loading Features

  • Skip lazy load for above-fold
  • Blur-up placeholder effect
  • Dominant color placeholders
  • Progressive enhancement

LCP Optimization

ProRank automatically excludes the Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) image from lazy loading to ensure optimal Core Web Vitals scores.

AI-Powered Features

Intelligent Image Processing

Leverage artificial intelligence to automatically detect focal points, crop intelligently, and optimize based on image content type for the best possible results.

Smart Cropping

  • Face detection
  • Object recognition
  • Entropy-based focal points
  • Rule of thirds alignment

Content-Aware Optimization

  • Photo vs graphic detection
  • Text overlay preservation
  • Color palette analysis
  • Quality auto-adjustment

Automatic Enhancement

  • Auto color correction
  • Contrast optimization
  • Sharpness enhancement
  • Noise reduction

Bulk Optimization

Optimize Existing Images

Retroactively optimize all existing images in your media library with one click. Process thousands of images in the background without affecting site performance.

Bulk Processing Features

  • Background processing
  • Resume from interruptions
  • Progress tracking
  • Detailed statistics
  • Keep original backups
  • Restore originals anytime
  • Skip already optimized
  • Filter by date/size

Reliability & Recovery

Enterprise-Grade Reliability

Built with production resilience in mind, featuring automatic retry mechanisms, queue management, and comprehensive error recovery to ensure no image is left behind.

Retry Mechanism

  • Exponential backoff (1s, 2s, 4s)
  • 3 automatic retry attempts
  • Failed queue for manual retry
  • Network error resilience

Backup & Recovery

  • Original image preservation
  • One-click restoration
  • Version history tracking
  • Rollback capabilities

Production Safety

All optimization operations are non-destructive. Original images are preserved in a backup directory, allowing instant restoration if needed. Failed optimizations are queued for automatic retry during the next processing cycle.

CDN Integration

Global Image Delivery

Automatically serve optimized images through your CDN with on-the-fly transformation support for dynamic resizing and format conversion.

Cloudflare

  • • Polish optimization
  • • Mirage lazy loading
  • • WebP conversion

BunnyCDN

  • • Optimizer integration
  • • Real-time resize
  • • Smart WebP

Custom CDN

  • • URL rewriting
  • • Origin pull
  • • Cache control

Usage Monitoring & Statistics

Real-Time Analytics

Track optimization performance, quota usage, and savings with comprehensive analytics and detailed reporting for complete visibility into your image optimization operations.

Dashboard Metrics

85%

Average Reduction

2.4 GB

Total Saved

3,847

Images Optimized

Quota Tracking

  • • Monthly usage visualization
  • • Remaining quota alerts
  • • Credit balance monitoring
  • • Usage trend analysis

Performance Reports

  • • Format conversion statistics
  • • Processing time metrics
  • • Error rate tracking
  • • Bandwidth savings reports

Configuration

WordPress Settingsjavascript
// Access settings in WordPress Admin
// Settings > ProRank SEO > Performance > Image Optimization

const imageSettings = {
  // Processing Method
  optimization_method: 'cloud', // 'cloud' | 'local' | 'auto'
  
  // Quality Settings
  jpeg_quality: 85,        // 1-100
  webp_quality: 80,        // 1-100
  avif_quality: 75,        // 1-100
  
  // Format Generation
  webp_enabled: true,      // Generate WebP versions
  avif_enabled: true,      // Generate AVIF versions
  
  // Processing Options
  optimize_on_upload: true,     // Auto-optimize new uploads
  background_mode: true,        // Use background processing
  preserve_metadata: false,     // Strip EXIF data
  
  // Advanced Options
  max_width: 2560,             // Maximum image width
  max_height: 2560,            // Maximum image height
  backup_originals: true,      // Keep original files
  auto_retry_failed: true,     // Retry failed optimizations
  
  // CDN Integration
  cdn_enabled: false,          // Enable CDN delivery
  cdn_provider: 'cloudflare',  // CDN provider
  cdn_url: '',                 // Custom CDN URL
};
Programmatic Controlphp
// Optimize single image
$result = prorank_optimize_image($attachment_id);

// Bulk optimize
$results = prorank_bulk_optimize_images([
    'limit' => 100,
    'offset' => 0,
    'mime_types' => ['image/jpeg', 'image/png'],
    'min_size' => 100000, // 100KB minimum
]);

// Restore original
prorank_restore_original_image($attachment_id);

// Get optimization stats
$stats = prorank_get_image_stats();
echo 'Total saved: ' . $stats['total_saved_mb'] . ' MB';
echo 'Average reduction: ' . $stats['average_reduction'] . '%';

// Regenerate responsive images
prorank_regenerate_responsive_images($attachment_id);

Performance Impact

Typical Results with Image Optimization

75%

Smaller Images

2.3s

Faster LCP

60%

Less Bandwidth

95+

PageSpeed Score

Core Web Vitals Impact

Sites using ProRank's Image Optimization typically see LCP improve by 40-60%, with many achieving green Core Web Vitals scores across all metrics.

Troubleshooting

Images not optimizing?

  • • Check PHP memory limit (256MB recommended)
  • • Verify GD or ImageMagick is installed
  • • Check file permissions on uploads folder
  • • Review error logs for specific issues

WebP not serving?

Ensure your server supports WebP mime type and .htaccess rules are properly configured. Check browser dev tools network tab to verify WebP delivery.

Next Steps