When you upload an image to Blogger, Google creates two URLs for the same image.
One URL appears inside your post editor, while another can be found in your Album Archive.
If you are editing image HTML, changing image sizes, or following an image optimization tutorial, always use the URL from your post editor.
This is the version Blogger uses to display images on your blog.
Blogger image URLs in the post editor and the Album Archive
I discovered this while trying to delete those unused Blogger images in the Album archive.
One URL appears inside your post editor code, while the other comes from your Google Album Archive storage.
At first glance, they look similar because they both display the same image.
However, they are not meant to be used in the same way.
In one of my previous tutorials, I explained how to replace Blogger's default image code with a more optimized version.
In that guide, I specifically told you to copy the image URL from the post editor.
There is a good reason for that.
Blogger creates two different URLs for the same image, and using the wrong one can cause problems when you customize image code.
This guide explains the difference and shows you which URL you should use.
Which Blogger image URL should you use?
You should use the image URL found inside your Blogger post editor.
This is the URL Blogger generates to display images on your website.
It works correctly with image sizing parameters and other image optimization techniques.
The Album Archive URL is mainly used for image storage and management.
It is not the version you should copy when modifying image code.
If you are editing image HTML, changing image sizes, or customizing your image layout, always use the post editor URL.
Why does Blogger create two image URLs?
When you upload an image, Blogger stores the original file in Google's image storage system.
At the same time, Blogger creates another URL inside your blog posts.
That is why you see two different URLs pointing to the same image.
For everyday blogging tasks, the post editor URL is the one you should use.
How to find the correct Blogger image URL
If you are following my guide on Blogger image HTML explained: default vs optimized version, make sure you copy the correct image link.
Here is how to find it:
- Open your post inside Blogger.
- Switch from Compose View to HTML View.
- Find the image code (
<img>tag). - Copy the URL inside the
src=""attribute.
This is the image URL Blogger uses to display the image on your blog.
Can you use the Album Archive URL?
Technically, the Album Archive URL still display the image.
However, it is not the URL Blogger uses inside blog posts.
To avoid unexpected issues when editing image code, resizing images, or following optimization tutorials, it is best to use the URL from your post editor.
Using the same URL format that Blogger generates also makes it easier to follow image-related guides and troubleshooting steps.
Using Blogger image size parameters
One advantage of the post editor URL is that it supports Blogger's image sizing system.
You will often see a value such as /s1600/ inside the image URL.
Changing that number allows Blogger to serve a different image size.
To learn how this works, read Blogger image size system explained (s640 vs s1600).
Just be careful when modifying image URLs manually.
As explained in Blogger image URL parameters explained, some edits can create unexpected layout and rendering problems.
Why the Album link affects your blog speed
Using the Album Archive link on your live blog causes hidden performance drops.
Google uses Core Web Vitals scores to measure how fast your site loads.
The wrong link hurts these scores in three ways:
- Slower loading (LCP Penalty): The Album link is private. When a reader visits your site, their browser wastes time dealing with account checks before showing the image. This delays your Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) score.
- Jumping text (CLS Penalty): Album links do not tell the browser the exact size of the image upfront. While the link redirects, your text will suddenly jump down the screen. This ruins your Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) score.
- No free caching: The correct Post Editor link is saved by Google servers worldwide so it loads instantly for repeat visitors. Album links must download from scratch every single time.
To master your site speed, you must understand how these links fit into the bigger picture.
In the main guide, The complete Blogger image guide: optimization, compression & rendering, I break down how Google servers process your visual content from upload to screen rendering.
Related Blogger image guides
To learn more about Blogger images and optimization, explore these guides:
- Mastering Core Web Vitals for custom Blogger layouts explained – Learn how page layouts affect performance scores.
- How to fix missing Blogger dashboard thumbnails (without changing the Image) – Fix broken dashboard thumbnails without replacing the image.
- Blogger image loading strategy explained: featured, content, and decorative images – Learn how different image types should be handled across your blog.