[Updated] AVIF Images Supported by Google Search

On August 30, 2024, Google announced in its latest blog post that AVIF images have become a supported file type for Google Search, which means that AVIF images can now be not only displayed in search results but also indexed as images, which will no longer have any difference with jpg/png/webp and other formats. Today we will learn more about AVIF images.

What is an AVIF image?

AVIF, the full name of AV1 Image File Format, it is a picture format based on AV1 video encoding, due to its efficient image compression algorithm, AVIF occupies less storage space under the same quality.

Why choose AVIF images?

Because pictures are widely used on websites, and the loading speed of the pictures in the webpage will directly affect the opening speed of the whole page, so if you can choose the more space-saving AVIF format pictures under the condition of not reducing the quality of the pictures, then the webpage will open faster, and at the same time, you can save more bandwidth resources, we often say that to do a good job of Google SEO, and this is a good time to optimize the pictures! This is a good time to optimize pictures.

In addition, according to relevant statistics, AVIF format images have a similar quality of JPEG image size to save 50%; generally speaking the same quality, the image file size order for AVIF < WEBP < JPG, etc..

How to create AVIF images?

Usually, we use conversion tools to convert jpg/png/webp/gif format images to avif format, here we recommend two commonly used avif format conversion image tools:

• Cloudinary：easy to operate, upload the picture, click convert, then download the picture on it;
• Squoosh：supports customized settings, but does not support gif motion picture conversion.

How to use AVIF images on the website?

First of all, the web server needs to support AVIF images, if it does not support even if uploaded can not be opened, you can consult the web server provider to help set up. Commonly, such as AliCloud web hosting needs to be configured by submitting a work order; Dreamhost and Bluehost web hosting can be directly uploaded to use AVIF images.

Secondly, the use of AVIF images and the use of ordinary images (jpg/png, etc.) are the same method, in the need to add pictures where the use of “img” tags can be.

AVIF Frequently Asked Questions:

1. In the WordPress website to upload AVIF images when the “This image cannot be processed by the web server.” prompt, This time we can add the following code in the “functions.php” file of the corresponding theme of the website to solve the problem:

//Cancel avif format environment check
add_filter('plupload_default_settings', function($defaults) {
$defaults['avif_upload_error'] = false;
return $defaults;
}, 10, 1);
add_filter('plupload_init', function($plupload_init) {
$plupload_init['avif_upload_error'] = false;
return $plupload_init;
}, 10, 1);


2. Is it necessary to change all the pictures on the website to AVIF format?

It is not recommended to change blindly, combined with their website, before the picture if you change to AVIF format, will lead to the original picture address changing, and the original image index address in Google search will be invalidated, you need to set up an additional server-side redirection, but we can go to the website later to upload pictures when you choose to use the AVIF format, to improve the loading speed of the picture.

3. What is the compatibility of AVIF format images?

AVIF format pictures are compatible with the current mainstream browsers, but compared to other formats the picture still almost, needs to pay attention to when using.

4. What are the disadvantages of AVIF format images?

The process of converting to AVIF format images will be slower, compatibility is almost the same, but other than that, there is no problem.