Images won't optimize

Optimizing images is more than just re-sizing, it’s reducing filesize below a certain threshold, scaling them on the server end so that only the largest image a browser can fit into the content area is served, and of course all doing that without any noticeable drop in quality (ok, maybe not exactly that last part, but it is important).

It looks like you might have Jetpack installed. Have you activated the Photon module? That’s their image CDN, and among other things, it does optimize images all on their end without causing any CPU load or bandwidth hits to your server. All you need to do is activate the module, and your problems are solved. ??

Thank you. I am aware optimising images is a lot more than re-sizing, as I said, I had my client re-size her images HOWEVER they still need to be optimised :).

I activated Photon, however, none of the client’s images are optimised. Is it possible this works with new images? I need something to optimise the 4000+ images already uploaded, as well as future ones.

Photon auto-optimizes all images within the content of posts and pages.

Take a look at the image sources now. For example, at https://redbuffalotrading.com/ the image for “Tribal patterned woven stash pouches” used to be https://redbuffalotrading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Tribal-woven-fold-over-stash-pouches3.jpg but Photon is now serving an optimized server-scaled image instead: https://i0.wp.com/redbuffalotrading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Tribal-woven-fold-over-stash-pouches3.jpg?zoom=2&resize=162%2C112

Photon doesn’t replace the image files in your media library. It’s a smart CDN, so all of the optimization and scaling (things which would cause load on your own server) are done on their end and they just replace the reference to the image.

Hm, I looked at your report on GTmetrix, and I see what you mean.

To be honest, I think something may be off with GTmetrix’s check. Your images are indeed optimized, far smaller in filesize than the originals with lossless compression (now 44 KB instead of 232 KB), and Photon is of course only serving a scaled-down version of the image rather than the typical full-size image that would load entirely and then be scaled by the browser.

Functionally, your images are completely optimized via Photon. My other sites using Photon for images show 100% image optimization in GTmetrix, but despite images on your site being optimized just the same, GTmetrix doesn’t agree.

This is kind of a problem with all automated checks, you have to take them with a grain of salt (especially since you added considerable optimization with Photon, but it still thinks you have 0% optimization). It’s not computers that will determine how fast your site is and how quick the images load, it’s you and your other human visitors who will make that determination, and it sure seems incredibly fast to me. ??

In short, your images are definitely being optimized by Photon, far better than they were originally. I think GTmetrix’s image optimization check is bugging out on your site, I wouldn’t trust it in this case.

Hmm, this does seem strange. I just tried to load up the site and it still seems quite slow for me. However, I am having some odd internet speed issues this week, so I could put it down to that.

I also tested this on webpagetest.org to see if it was a GTmetrix issue, but it comes up the same. https://www.webpagetest.org/result/140613_3P_6HA/

Is it really possible GTmetrix would be so off for just this one site? It’s been perfect for optimising both of my sites and several others I’ve been involved with. Could it be Woocommerce? I believe Woocommerce is the reason why we can’t specify image dimensions and is basically a huge pain in the a** thus far.

Thank you for your help!

I don’t see any image optimization ratings at the second test, just load time.

For what it’s worth, your site loads completely for me in only 5 seconds, which is great, it’s faster than Amazon. ??

If I had $1 for every time an automated test did something screwy, I’d have a yacht by now. I have one site at the moment where a page load test suggests “You can significantly reduce time by using two or less web fonts.” The site in question is only using Helvetica, no web fonts. ??

if you’d like to compare on GTmetrix, please feel free to try my terrible photos at https://macmanx.com/type/image/

The primary content type on that page is full-sized images, all using Photon, and GTmetrix gives me a 99% on image optimization. Photon is an external CDN, so image optimization and overall function is the same no matter the site. Why I get 99% optimization and you get 0%, both on the same image optimizing CDN, who knows? I’d just call it a glitch on their end and take that 5 second load time for an eCommerce site any day. ??

Regarding WooCommerce interfering with dimensions, you might want to check with them directly on that, but I think it’s been around too long to interfere with basic functionality like that.

Hi
I’m not hijacking the thread!! “put your guns away”

If I could only add my experience dealing with the same issue just not as may images as the OP. Gtmetrix and firebugs yslow always display this message, “Specify image dimensions” as well as tell me I have 17 background Image I’m unaware of (possibly responsive theme related?) But this issue has always bugged me because i optimize every image before uploading it to wordpress then regenerate the thumbnail just to be on the safe side but still I face the same problem as the OP so your not alone. I agree with James i also think it’s just more of a page speed bug, perhaps I’m wrong but nevertheless I still score a 90% and 88% with yslow.

My other reason for commenting on this thread is because I’m interested in what other might have to say about this issue and would liked to notified when a comment is made. I hope this was not considered rude behavior, if so I apologize in advance!

Thank you for your time,
Fish!