How to Use WebP Images in WordPress to Boost SEO

March 2026 · 6 min read

If you run a WordPress website, image optimization is one of the most effective ways to improve your Google rankings. And adopting WebP format is the easiest, highest-impact step in image optimization. This guide walks you through exactly how to use WebP on WordPress.

Why Does Your WordPress Site Need WebP?

WordPress websites typically use a large number of images — post thumbnails, in-content images, product photos, and more. The benefits of using WebP include:

Higher Google PageSpeed scores — Lighthouse directly recommends using WebP
Better Core Web Vitals — faster LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) times
25–35% bandwidth savings — especially significant for image-heavy sites
Better user experience — faster page loads, lower bounce rates

WordPress Natively Supports WebP

Good news: since WordPress 5.8 (July 2021), WordPress natively supports uploading and using WebP images. You can upload .webp files directly to the Media Library.

However, native support only means you can upload WebP — it doesn't automatically convert your existing JPG/PNG images. For automatic conversion, you'll need a plugin.

Recommended WebP Plugins

ShortPixel Image Optimizer

★★★★★ 4.6/5

An all-in-one image compression plugin. Automatically compresses and converts uploaded images to WebP, with bulk processing for existing images. Free plan includes 100 images/month. Supports both lossy and lossless compression.

Imagify

★★★★★ 4.5/5

Developed by the WP Rocket team. Clean interface, supports one-click bulk conversion. Free plan includes 20MB/month. Works seamlessly with the WP Rocket caching plugin.

WebP Express

★★★★☆ 4.4/5

A free plugin focused solely on WebP conversion. Uses server-side GD or Imagick libraries for conversion without relying on an external API. Completely free with no limits.

EWWW Image Optimizer

★★★★☆ 4.4/5

A well-established image optimization plugin. Supports WebP conversion and can process images locally on your server without an external API. The free version is fully featured.

Setting Up WebP with ShortPixel (Recommended)

Step 1: Install and Activate the Plugin

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New → search for "ShortPixel" → Install and Activate.

Step 2: Get Your API Key

Visit the ShortPixel website, create a free account, and get your API Key. Back in WordPress, go to Settings → ShortPixel and paste your API Key.

Step 3: Enable WebP Conversion

On the ShortPixel settings page → Advanced → check "WebP Images" → choose "Use <picture> tags" or "Replace via .htaccess".

Step 4: Bulk Process Existing Images

Go to Media → ShortPixel Bulk → click "Start Optimizing." The plugin will automatically compress and generate WebP versions of all your existing images.

Step 5: Verify the Results

Open Chrome DevTools → Network tab → filter by Img → check that image formats show "webp." Or run a test with Google PageSpeed Insights.

Alternative: Manual Conversion Without a Plugin

If you prefer not to use plugins, you can convert images manually:

Use our Image to WebP Converter to batch convert all your images
Upload the converted WebP files to the WordPress Media Library
Use the WebP images in your posts and pages

Pro tip: If you're using a CDN like Cloudflare, you can enable Cloudflare's "Polish" feature to automatically convert and cache images as WebP. This is the most hassle-free approach — no plugins required.

How to Verify WebP Is Working Correctly

Method 1: Chrome DevTools

Press F12 on your site to open DevTools
Go to the Network tab
Reload the page
Filter by "Img" type
Check whether the Type column shows "webp"

Method 2: Google PageSpeed Insights

Visit pagespeed.web.dev
Enter your website's URL
Check whether the report still includes a "Serve images in next-gen formats" recommendation
If that recommendation is gone, WebP is working correctly

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I delete the original JPG/PNG files after converting to WebP?

We recommend keeping them. Most plugins save both the original file and the WebP version, serving the appropriate one based on the browser. The original files serve as a backup and make it easy to re-edit images in the future.

Will WebP affect image SEO (Google Image Search)?

No negative impact. Google fully supports indexing WebP images. In fact, the improved page speed from using WebP helps your overall SEO performance.

Can social platforms (Facebook, Twitter) display WebP images?

Most social platforms now support WebP. However, to be safe, it's recommended to use JPG format for the og:image meta tag, ensuring your thumbnail displays correctly across all platforms.

Note: If your WordPress host runs PHP below version 7.4, or doesn't have the GD or Imagick library installed, some plugins may not be able to convert WebP server-side. In that case, use our online tool to pre-convert images before uploading.

Summary

Using WebP images on your WordPress site is one of the most effective ways to improve site speed and SEO rankings. The recommended workflow:

Install ShortPixel or EWWW Image Optimizer
Enable WebP conversion
Bulk process existing images
Verify results with PageSpeed Insights

If you prefer not to use plugins, convert your images manually with our tool:

Try the Image to WebP Converter →