{"id":789,"date":"2024-05-07T11:43:22","date_gmt":"2024-05-07T11:43:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kb.shortpixel.com\/docs\/how-does-the-plugin-work\/"},"modified":"2025-08-27T08:43:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T08:43:12","password":"","slug":"how-does-the-plugin-work","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/kb.shortpixel.com\/knowledge-base\/article\/how-does-the-plugin-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How does ShortPixel Image Optimizer work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our lightweight plugin sends your images to our Image Optimization Cloud, where they are compressed and optimized before being returned to your website. Here’s a step-by-step overview of how ShortPixel Image Optimizer<\/a> (SPIO) works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. An image is uploaded to the site, or alternatively, you tell ShortPixel to optimize an existing image.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. SPIO detects the image (and its thumbnails) and sends them to ShortPixel’s optimization servers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. The image and its thumbnails are optimized and sent back to the site, along with the generated WebP\/AVIF files (if you chose to create them).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. SPIO replaces the original unoptimized image (and its thumbnails) with the optimized versions from the optimization servers. Optionally, a backup is created<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. If relevant, the WebP\/AVIF files are stored next to the optimized images in the same directory.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    This process is carried out for every image (and its respective thumbnails, if selected) you optimize on your site\u2014whether through Media > Bulk ShortPixel, your Media Library (one by one), or for new uploads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To clarify, ShortPixel Image Optimizer only replaces your physical image files<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n