Description
YoOhw Media Optimizer is a WordPress image optimization and modern image delivery plugin for WebP and AVIF sidecars. It helps you generate modern image files locally, verify delivery before switching frontend URLs, and keep original JPEG/PNG uploads safe by default.
Unlike image optimization services that send media to a remote API, YoOhw Media Optimizer is local-first. It uses the active WordPress image editor, GD/Imagick when available, and optional server binaries such as cwebp, avifenc, jpegoptim, jpegtran, pngquant, oxipng, and optipng.
The default mode is conservative: the plugin creates sidecar files but does not replace original media files or frontend image URLs until you enable those options. All current plugin features are free and run without a paid image optimization API.
Key Features
- Generate
.webpsidecars for original images and WordPress-generated image sizes. - Generate
.avifsidecars whenavifencor the active WordPress image editor supports AVIF. - Optional HTML delivery: serve AVIF first, WebP second, and fall back to the original JPEG/PNG.
- Delivery Assistant to test direct AVIF/WebP file access and server/CDN rewrite behavior.
- Optional JPEG/PNG original-file optimization with mandatory backups.
- Resize oversized uploads with max width and max height settings.
- Compression modes for lossless, balanced, aggressive, and custom JPEG quality workflows.
- Metadata policy controls for removing or preserving image metadata where supported.
- Media Library Savings column with per-attachment status and restore links.
- Overview dashboard with bandwidth savings, storage impact, coverage, and failure status.
- Queue-based processing for larger media libraries.
- Cleanup tools for generated sidecars and restore tools for backed-up originals.
- WP-CLI helpers for analyze, optimize, restore, and queue workflows.
Safe Modern Image Delivery
YoOhw Media Optimizer is designed for sites that want a clear modern image workflow without immediately changing originals or relying on a third-party image CDN.
When HTML delivery is enabled, the plugin checks the browser Accept header and available sidecars:
- Browser accepts AVIF and a fresh
.avifsidecar exists: serve AVIF. - Otherwise, browser accepts WebP and a fresh
.webpsidecar exists: serve WebP. - Otherwise: keep the original JPEG/PNG URL.
This keeps frontend delivery compatible while still allowing modern image formats where they are supported.
Optional Original Optimization
Original-file optimization is disabled by default. When enabled, YoOhw Media Optimizer can resize and recompress JPEG/PNG files after creating backups under wp-content/uploads/yoohw-media-backups/.
Backups are required before replacing originals, and restore controls are available per image and in bulk.
External Binaries
The plugin can detect and use supported server binaries when available:
- JPEG:
jpegoptim,cjpeg/djpeg,jpegtran - PNG:
pngquant,oxipng,optipng - WebP:
cwebp - AVIF:
avifenc
If a binary is not available, the plugin falls back to WordPress/GD/Imagick where possible. External binaries are optional and are not bundled with the plugin.
Privacy
YoOhw Media Optimizer does not collect personal data, does not create tracking cookies, and does not send media files to external optimization services.
The Delivery Assistant performs HTTP HEAD checks against URLs on the same WordPress site to verify whether generated AVIF/WebP files can be reached.
Installation
- Upload the
yoohw-media-optimizerfolder to/wp-content/plugins/, or install the plugin ZIP through the WordPress admin. - Activate the plugin through the Plugins screen.
- Go to Media > Media Optimizer.
- Run optimization for existing media, or leave automatic optimization enabled for new uploads.
- Use the Delivery Assistant before enabling HTML delivery on a live site.
FAQ
-
Does YoOhw Media Optimizer replace my original images?
-
Not by default. The default workflow generates WebP/AVIF sidecar files and keeps original JPEG/PNG files unchanged.
-
Can it optimize original JPEG/PNG files?
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Yes, but original-file optimization is opt-in. When enabled, the plugin creates a backup before replacing a physical JPEG/PNG file.
-
Does it serve AVIF and WebP automatically?
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Only when HTML delivery mode is enabled. In that mode, AVIF is served first when supported and available, then WebP, then the original JPEG/PNG fallback.
-
Does it send images to an external service?
-
No. Images are processed locally by WordPress/GD/Imagick or optional server binaries. No media files are sent to an external optimization API.
-
Is YoOhw Media Optimizer free?
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Yes. The plugin is free and does not require paid credits, a paid API key, or a subscription to optimize images locally.
-
Do I need cwebp, avifenc, or other binaries?
-
No. They are optional. If available, YoOhw Media Optimizer can use them for stronger local optimization. If not, it falls back to supported WordPress image engines.
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Does it edit .htaccess or server/CDN rules?
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No. The plugin provides delivery tests and an Apache rewrite example, but it does not automatically edit server configuration.
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Does uninstall delete generated images or backups?
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No. Uninstall removes plugin options and tracking metadata only. Generated sidecars and backups are left in place to avoid breaking existing delivery setups.
Reviews
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Contributors & Developers
“YoOhw Media Optimizer” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors
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Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
Changelog
1.0.0
- Initial public release on WordPress.org.
- Add local WebP and AVIF sidecar generation for WordPress media uploads.
- Add optional HTML delivery with AVIF first, WebP second, and JPEG/PNG fallback.
- Add Delivery Assistant, Overview dashboard, Media Library Savings column, original-file optimization with backups, restore tools, cleanup tools, queue processing, and WP-CLI helpers.