Find out how to convert Blogger images to webP format the easy and correct way.
Before the year 2023, Blogger did not have an image compression tool.
Its users manually added the -rw parameter to the image URL or converted the JPG or PNG image to WebP using an online converter.
Today, Blogger already has a built-in “Serve post images using WebP” setting to handle this for you.
In other words, it will add the -rw parameter to your image URL for you automatically.
Remember not to follow the many outdated hacks from various technical sites and forums.
For instance, this past Reddit posting or the 5-year-old's advice on Stack Overflow.
So, is this how to upload a WebP format image in a Blogger post.
Unfortunately, even Google AI Overviews still show obsolete information.
This is the latest guide for the year 2026 on how to convert Blogger images to WebP format.
Why WebP compression matters for your blog
Using the native WebP file structure can automatically reduce image file sizes by 25% to 34% compared to standard JPEGs without losing any visual crispness.
By letting Google process your images layout-wide, your loading times become incredibly fast, giving you a significantly higher PageSpeed Insights score.
Passing these speed checks is critical for your core SEO growth and keeps mobile visitors from abandoning your site.
How to enable automatic WebP image conversion in Blogger
Because Google handles everything on its own servers now.
You only need to follow these two key steps to get lightning-fast, high-quality Blogger images.
Step 1: Turn on the Dashboard Toggle Switches
You do not need to rewrite your image URL in the HTML template.
Just let Blogger do the work for you natively:
- Log in to your Blogger dashboard and click on Settings on the left menu.
- Scroll down until you find the Posts section.
- Switch on the toggle that says WebP image serving. (This tells Google to automatically change your JPEGs and PNGs into WebP files the moment a reader opens your page).
- Similarly, switch on the toggle that says Lazy load images. (This stops images from downloading until your reader scrolls down to them, giving your site an instant speed boost).
Step 2: Use the Right Pre-Upload Strategy
Now that your dashboard settings are active, you can upload standard JPG or PNG images straight from your computer or phone.
However, for the absolute best PageSpeed scores, follow these two rules before clicking upload:
- Match Your Column Width: Resize your image width to match your blog's reading column (usually between 800px and 1100px) using any basic photo editor. If you upload a massive 4000px camera file, it forces Google's server to do heavy scaling work, which can cause micro-blurriness.
- Upload Directly to Blogger: Always use the default "Insert Image" tool in the post editor. If you host your images on external sites like Imgur or Pinterest and link them here, Blogger's automatic WebP converter cannot touch them, and your site will slow down.
How to know the image is serving as WebP
Because Blogger’s modern servers are smart, they send WebP data to your readers without changing the visible text of your image link.
This means even if your image URL still says .jpg or .png at the very end, Google is delivering a super-fast WebP version behind the scenes!
Use this simple 3-step trick to uncover the hidden file type on your live blog:
- Go to your live published blog post image.
- Right-click directly on it and choose "Save image as..." from the menu.
- When the Save as page pops up, you can see the Save as type: WEBP File.
⚠️ Important update about Blogger images
The Myth: "You must type -rw into HTML links"
The Reality: This is completely outdated advice. Google AI Overviews still show this old trick. Blogger handles WebP delivery automatically now. You do not need to edit code.
The Myth: "You must convert files before uploading"
The Reality: This is a giant waste of time. Just upload normal JPEG or PNG files. If your dashboard switch is on, Google compresses them automatically.
The Fact: "PageSpeed flags images hosted outside Blogger"
The Reality: This is true. Blogger cannot optimize images from external sites like Pinterest or Imgur. Always upload pictures directly using the Blogger editor.
Why WebP images help your Google rankings
Fast-loading pictures are a huge part of basic SEO. WebP images keep your bright colors but use way less space.
Google loves fast websites, especially on mobile phones.
When your blog opens quickly, readers stay longer.
This tells Google your website is helpful and high-quality.
Do not let heavy files slow down your website.
Head to your settings and turn on the automatic WebP switch today.
That is how you change your images into lightweight WebP files easily.
Keep your blog fast and your readers happy!