In a world where loading speed and user experience are key to standing out on Google, the image format you choose can make all the difference.
What is AVIF?
AVIF stands for AV1 Image File Format , and is a modern, open-source format created by the Alliance for Open Media (yes, the same people behind the AV1 video codec).
This format allows high-quality images to be stored in incredibly country email list small file sizes, much smaller than JPEG or PNG, and with better visual quality in many cases.
Advantages of AVIF:
Much smaller file size : Up to 50% smaller than JPEG/WebP with comparable quality.
0-bit color and HDR support : Richer, more detailed colors.
Support for transparencies (such as PNG).
Better compression without perceptible visual loss .
AVIF vs JPEG vs WebP: Which performs better?
As you can see, AVIF is clearly the winner. In real-world tests, a 500KB JPEG image can be reduced to 150KB in AVIF, without any apparent loss of quality. This translates into faster loading speeds, lower data usage, and a better user experience.
SEO Benefits with AVIF
Google certainly loves fast websites. Therefore:
AVIF images load faster, improving Core Web Vitals .
Better loading time = better search engine ranking .
Using modern formats shows that your website is optimized and up to date .
Additionally, AVIF images can include accessibility and SEO-relevant metadata such as alt text and EXIF.
AVIF compatibility in web browsers (2025)
Google Chrome (from version 85)
Firefox (since version 93)
Microsoft Edge
Safari (macOS Ventura, iOS 16+)
Opera , Brave, and Chromium-based browsers
AVIF compression engines for converting images
1. libavif
Official library developed by the creators of the AVIF format. Used by tools such as Squoosh and ImageMagick. It's based on the AV1 codec via libaom and allows for advanced quality control, loss/partial loss, color encoding, etc. Recommended if you want precise results, maximum quality, or automation.
2. libaom-av1
This is the original AV1 codec developed by AOMedia (the creators of the format). It's used to generate AVIF when very high-quality compression is required, although it's slower than other formats, but still offers excellent visual results. Widely used in environments where quality is a priority over speed.
3. rav1e
AV1 encoder developed in Rust , focused on performance. Faster than libaom, with a good quality-to-weight ratio. It's supported by some advanced conversion tools and can be integrated into custom flows or backends. It's ideal for web applications or pipelines where speed matters.