What is WebP?

What does it mean

WebP is a modern image format developed by Google, aimed at reducing image sizes without visible loss of quality. Compared to traditional formats like JPEG or PNG, WebP can significantly reduce data volume, which directly impacts website speed, user experience (UX) and SEO results.

The WebP format is now among the standards of the modern web and is supported by all major browsers.

More info

What is the WebP format and why was it created?

The WebP format was developed in response to the growing demands for faster web pages and mobile display. Google introduced it with the aim of reducing the data intensity of images, which are among the heaviest elements of web pages.

WebP supports:

• lossy and lossless compression,
  
• transparency (alpha channel) similar to PNG,
  
• animations (alternative to GIF).
  

Thanks to this, a single WebP file can replace multiple older formats while maintaining visual quality.

How does a properly optimized WebP image affect website speed and UX?

Smaller image sizes mean:

• faster page loading,
• lower data consumption (important especially for mobile users),
  
• smoother content browsing.

From a UX perspective, this leads to a lower bounce rate and higher user satisfaction. Users don't have to wait for large WebP pictures or hero banners to load, which is crucial today, especially in the e-commerce environment.

Why do Google and SEO specialists recommend switching to WebP?

Google has long emphasized the importance of website speed as a ranking factor. Optimized images in the WebP format directly help improve metrics such as:

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP),
• Core Web Vitals,
• overall PageSpeed Insights score.
  

SEO specialists therefore recommend using WebP files wherever technically possible – especially for product images, banners, and visually demanding sections of the website. Switching to WebP is often one of the quickest ways to improve website performance without altering the design.

Comparison: WebP vs. traditional JPEG and PNG formats

When comparing formats, WebP has several advantages:

• WebP vs. JPEG: WebP achieves significantly smaller file sizes at the same quality.
  
• WebP vs. PNG: WebP supports transparency while having a smaller data volume.
  
• WebP vs. both formats: WebP combines the advantages of both and adds better compression.
  
  

For modern websites, WebP therefore represents a more efficient solution than traditional image formats, which were created during completely different technical constraints.