Start with what the image contains
Photographs with continuous tones and detailed textures need a different inspection from a graphic with tiny text and sharp edges. For a photograph, look at fine detail and gradients. For a screenshot, inspect lettering and thin lines.
If the image needs transparency, confirm that the export preserves it. Place the result over both a light and a dark background during review so edge artifacts do not surprise you after publication.
Compare files fairly
Use the same crop and pixel dimensions when comparing formats. Otherwise a smaller download may simply be a smaller image. Record both the file size and the visible result at the layout’s normal viewing size.
Keep the master file separate from the compressed export. Repeatedly editing an already compressed copy can make it harder to achieve a clean final result. Start a new export from the master when changing the crop or output size.
Know what PixelRank exports
PixelRank accepts JPG, PNG, and WebP uploads up to 5 MB. Free accounts can download the original-format file with a descriptive name. Paid plans also offer browser-generated WebP exports, with the longest side limited to 1,920 pixels.
Review the downloaded WebP before replacing a source image. A conversion does not guarantee a smaller file for every input, and a storefront or publishing system may perform additional transformations after upload. Measure the final page result too.
A practical comparison
- Before
- Compare a 4,000-pixel JPG with an 800-pixel WebP
- Better approach
- Compare both exports at the same crop and dimensions
Matching the dimensions makes the format comparison meaningful.
Illustrative example, not a customer result.Further reading
For platform guidance, consult Google’s image SEO documentation and the W3C image accessibility tutorials. These guides combine editorial workflows with the product’s current capabilities; search visibility depends on more than image metadata.
Put the workflow to use
Draft descriptive filenames and alt text, review the results, and export your image metadata. Start with 10 images per month on Free.
Optimize your first imageCompare plans