Squeeze – Image Optimization & Compression, WEBP Conversion

No compression limits.
No cloud servers or API keys.
Direct, local WEBP conversion for the newly uploaded images (no extra copies).
Works instantly in Gutenberg and Elementor.

Can this plugin convert images to the WEBP format?
Yes! The Squeeze plugin supports converting images to the WEBP format during the compression process. WEBP is a modern image format that provides superior compression while maintaining high quality, resulting in faster loading times and reduced bandwidth usage. To enable this feature, check the "Direct WEBP Conversion" option under the Basic Settings tab to convert images in WEBP format.
Is it safe to replace images with WEBP?
Yes! It’s perfectly safe, especially for new uploads.
For existing images, the Squeeze plugin can automatically update JPG/PNG image URLs to their WebP versions when available.

Just a quick note — this replacement happens only when the page loads, so your database isn’t changed.
If you deactivate the Squeeze plugin, some images may stop showing. To fix that, simply reselect those images from the Media Library.
Will my images break if I deactivate the plugin?
If you deactivate Squeeze while the Direct WebP option is enabled, some images may stop showing because their JPG/PNG versions were converted to WebP.
To fix that, simply reselect those images in your posts or pages to restore the correct URLs.
How are WEBP images served?
Squeeze plugin converts your JPG/PNG images into WEBP format replacing the original images.
To enable this feature, check the "Direct WEBP Conversion" option under the Basic Settings tab to convert images in WEBP format.

That means if you have an image in JPG format like image.jpg, after conversion to WEBP format it becomes image.webp.

Previously, the generated WEBP images were stored in the wp-content/squeeze-webp directory within your WordPress installation.
That method is not very optimal, because it creates extra images which reduce your server's storage space.
However, if you already used that approach, you can keep it enabled for backwards compatibility.
Why am I seeing an alert "Image conversion blocked by browser privacy setting"?
That means your browser is blocking access to canvas image data (this prevents image conversion).
The privacy.resistFingerprinting setting (or similar privacy features) is enabled.

Open about:config in Firefox and set privacy.resistFingerprinting to false, then restart Firefox.
Use a different browser (Chrome, Edge) or a browser profile without this setting.

Which scripts are used for compressing and converting images?
The Squeeze plugin utilizes the same scripts and libraries that power the Squoosh.app, an open-source project by the Google Chrome team. These include highly efficient image processing libraries such as:

MozJPEG: Used for compressing JPEG images.
Browser Image Compression: Used for compressing PNG images. This does not come from the Squoosh.app, as its OxiPNG takes quite a long time to compress images.
WEBP: Used for converting and compressing images to the modern WEBP format.
AVIF: An advanced codec for creating lightweight and high-quality AVIF images.

Why should I use image compression on my website?
Image compression helps improve your website's performance by reducing the file size of images without significantly impacting their quality. Smaller image files load faster, resulting in faster page load times and a better user experience. Additionally, compressed images consume less bandwidth, which can be beneficial for websites with limited hosting resources or mobile users with limited data plans.
Which image formats does the Squeeze plugin work with?
Squeeze plugin supports JPG, PNG, WEBP and AVIF image formats.
Can I compress multiple images at once?
Yes, the plugin provides a bulk compression feature. This saves time and effort compared to compressing images individually.
Can I compress images NOT from the Media Library, but from a custom directory?
Yes, you can compress images from any directory within your WordPress installation.
Can I customize the compression settings?
Yes, the plugin allows you to customize various compression settings according to your preferences. The Settings page is located at Settings -> Squeeze.
Image compression process seems to be stuck. The browser doesn't respond.
It may happen if you are trying to compress a PNG image with a high resolution. In that case, you should wait a while, until the image finishes its compression or a “Request timed out.” error message occurs.
How to fix a “Request timed out” error
Go to the plugin’s setting page (Settings -> Squeeze).
At the “Basic Settings” tab increase the value of the field “Squeeze timeout”. By default it equals 60 seconds, try to make it bigger. If the error still persists, that means the script cannot process your image.
Where can I read the full documentation for this plugin?
The full documentation is available here: https://pluginarium.com/squeeze/squeeze-documentation/