What is WebP format? Future of image formats(yes) | What's new in 2024?

WebP Format:

WebP is an image format developed by Google that supports both lossy and lossless compression for images on the web. It is designed to provide superior lossless and lossy compression for images on the web, reducing image file sizes while maintaining visual quality. WebP files can be up to 30% smaller than JPEG files for comparable image quality, and up to 65% smaller than PNG files for comparable image quality. WebP supports transparency (like PNG) and animation (like GIF), making it a versatile choice for various web-related applications.

How it works: WebP

Lossy WebP compression uses predictive coding to encode an image, the same method used by the VP8 video codec to compress keyframes in videos. Predictive coding uses the values in neighbouring blocks of pixels to predict the values in a block and then encodes only the difference.

Lossless WebP compression uses already-seen image fragments to exactly reconstruct new pixels. It can also use a local palette if no interesting match is found.

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Difference between JPEG, PNG, WEBP, TIFF, EPS and GIF:

Here is a comparison of PNG, JPEG, GIF, TIFF, EPS, and WEBP image formats:

WebP compared with different formats:

• PNG is a good choice for web graphics, logos, and icons because it supports lossless compression, transparency, and multiple colour channels.
• JPEG is a good choice for photos and other images that do not require high levels of detail because it can produce very small file sizes.
• GIF is a good choice for logos, icons, and small animations because it supports a limited color palette and animation.
• TIFF is a good choice for professional photography and archiving because it supports lossless compression, multiple color channels, and a variety of metadata.
• EPS is a good choice for professional printing and illustration because it is a vector format that can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
• WEBP is a good choice for web graphics, photos, logos, and icons because it supports both lossless and lossy compression, transparency, and multiple colour channels, and it can produce smaller file sizes than PNG or JPEG without sacrificing image quality.

Why having an Ideal Image format helps in Web Core Vitals:

• Page Loading Speed: Web Core Vitals emphasize loading speed. Smaller image sizes (achieved through efficient compression) contribute to faster page loading times.
• User Experience: Optimized image formats lead to quicker visual rendering, enhancing the overall user experience and reducing bounce rates.
• Mobile Friendliness: Compact image formats are crucial for mobile users with limited bandwidth. They contribute to a smoother experience on mobile devices.
• SEO Benefits: Faster-loading pages are favoured by search engines, positively impacting your site's SEO performance.

Conclusion:

WebP is a next-gen image format with promises several advantages over JPEG and PNG, including smaller file sizes, better visual quality, and support for animation and alpha transparency. WebP stands out as a modern solution, offering a balance between image quality and file size. 

By adopting WebP and other image optimization strategies, you can significantly enhance your website's performance, providing a seamless and engaging user experience. However, it is important to consider browser support and image editing software support when deciding whether or not to use WebP

What's new in 2023 and beyond in Image Formats

As of today, October 26, 2023, the latest image format publicly released is JPEG XL (Joint Photographic Experts Group XL). It was finalized in June 2021 by the JPEG committee.

However, it's important to note that JPEG XL is still relatively new and not yet widely adopted by web browsers and other software. It may take some time before it becomes as widely used as JPEG or WebP.

Contributors:

Researched & written by Anurag

Designed and edited by Mohammed