EWWW Image Optimizer
by Shane Bishop · Performance
Also makes 4 other plugins · 1.4M+ installs across the portfolio →
Comprehensive image optimization with WebP, AVIF, Lazy Load, and more. Optimize images automatically for Faster Sites and Happy Visitors.
Try it live opens a temporary test site in your browser, which can take about 20 seconds to load. Plugins that rely on outside services or a full server may not work completely there.
Health
B 81/100
no flags
Active installs
1M+
≈1.9M estimated
Momentum
-13%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Swap “webp”, “compress” and “convert” for “lcp”, “image size” and “unused images”. “webp” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #21. “lcp” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “compress” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #12. “image size” sits at #5 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “convert” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #12. “unused images” sits at #5 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
81 health vs 69 average across 1,806 Performance plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →2.0%
of downloads still active
At least 1M of 51.2M lifetime downloads are still running, above its category: the median Performance plugin keeps 1.4%, across 1,104 plugins.
Downloads count every update, not just first installs, so older and more frequently released plugins read lower. Compare against other Performance plugins, not across the directory. wp.org reports active installs as the bottom of a band, so the real rate is this or higher.
This plugin shipped 17 releases in the last 12 months, and every existing install that updated counted as another download. wp.org publishes no split between first installs and updates, so we show the raw rate rather than guess at one.
Details
Recent review vibe
read from the latest 12 reviews to 2026-07-14Reviewers consistently praise the plugin as fast and easy to use for bulk WebP conversion, with no complaints in this batch.
Directory ranking optimization
How it's scored →How well this listing is tuned to rank in WordPress.org search, on the factors an owner controls. Not popularity, optimization.
Excellent listing optimization
Most to gain: Support resolution
Updated 4 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, the current branch or newer
4.8★ over 1,842 reviews, smoothed to 4.78★
5 of 5 tags set · short description in place
1 of 6 support threads resolved in the last 2 months
To rank higher: Mark more forum threads resolved — the resolved ratio feeds the ranking.
Get the full rank-higher report →Search visibility
How it's tracked →Directory searches this plugin turns up in, and which way each one is moving. WordPress.org publishes no history of search positions, so this starts the day we first tracked a keyword and never backfills.
34
Momentum
Losing ground
-0.7
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
13%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
-0.7
Acceleration
recent half vs earlier
wp.org is where the directory puts the plugin for that search. On merit is where it would sit if results were ranked on rating, support and updates, without the install boost. The last column is how far the wp.org position moved, from our first reading in the last 90 days to the latest.
| Keyword | wp.org | On merit | wp.org move, 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| image | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| image optimizer | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| optimizer | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| ewww | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| image conversion | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| image editor | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| happy | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| visitors image | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| get image | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| wordpress image optimizer | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| page optimizer | #1 | #1 | — |
| images optimizer | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| new image | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| wordpress optimizer | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| plugin optimizer | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| bulk image optimizer | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| image cdn | #2 | #2 | down 1 |
| replace image | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| cls | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| image optimization | #4 | #4 | down 1 |
737 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 607 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words).
What to do about it
- Swap “webp”, “compress” and “convert” for “lcp”, “image size” and “unused images”. “webp” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #21. “lcp” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “compress” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #12. “image size” sits at #5 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “convert” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #12. “unused images” sits at #5 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
- Slipping on “convert”. Down 5 places since 2026-09-18, now #12. Check what shipped around then, and what moved above you.
- Slipping on “webp”. Down 7 places since 2026-09-18, now #21. Check what shipped around then, and what moved above you.
- One page off on “compress”. #12 puts you just past the first ten results, where almost all the clicks stop. The gap to close is small.
Daily downloads
Since 5 Oct 2022 · 1,490 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 1.5M · peaks are release surges
Directory rank vs rivals
wp.org popularity rank over time · higher is better · when a rival's line climbs above yours, they've overtaken you
Rating trend
Star average over time · dips mark rough releases
Health trend
Composite health score, snapshotted daily
Update activity
How busy the existing users are, measured as downloads in the last 30 days for every 1,000 active sites. A spike means a new release everyone's pulling; a long, slow decline means an aging user base that updates less.
Release cadence
Actively maintainedHow often this plugin actually ships. A steady rhythm is the maintenance signal a single "last updated" date can't show.
17
releases in the last 12 months
4d ago
latest release · v8.9.1 · 29 Oct 2026
75
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin. Green is the current release; a big slice on older versions is a user base that has stopped updating.
Estimated active installs
The public count shows “1M+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 4.2 years ago; the previous band took 14 months to cross, which places it about 90% of the way through.
Install history since 1 Nov 2021
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ edbellsmokeandbooze4mo ago
THE BEST PLUGIN TO REDUCE IMAGES SIZE AND CREATE WEBP FILES ! Thank you !
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ webqueenhtc4mo ago
Fast and easy to use. Thank you!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ sanjaynsingh5mo ago
Great plugin. I am using free version and still it is very fast. Great it is very easy to use.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ ddaneskovic5mo ago
Very useful plug in for faster optimizing images…
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Jorge5mo ago
It’s a shame there aren’t more stars to rate this amazing plugin. It does what it’s supposed to do, and it does it very well. Many thanks to its developers!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ fred566mo ago
Version gratuite. J’aime bien ce genre d’extension où on sent le sérieux et la rigueur de ceux qui l’ont créé. Ils ont pensé à tout, forcément c’est un peu touffu du coup mais les descriptions françaises des différentes fonctions sont soignées, très pro, très sobre. Je recommande. This topic was modified 1 month, 4 weeks ago by fred56.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ leo666cn6mo ago
每个网站必装的图片优化插件，上传时所生成的图片，包含其他插件生成的图片，都可以被自动优化，并产生webp文件，五星好评！已被wp-plugins.cn推荐！
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ compsyscon6mo ago
Great plugin 6 stars!!!
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 8.7.4 Release Date – July 16, 2026 security: prevent authenticated XSS 8.7.4
- — Version 8.7.3 Release Date – July 9, 2026 added: ewww_image_optimizer_cloud_based_media filter for cloud-based storage plugins to integrate with optimization processes 8.7.3
- — Version 8.7.2 Release Date – June 10, 2026 changed: re-test mechanism for background optimization only runs on settings, and improved error reporting for re-testing fixed: cross-site image collisions in remote_push/remote_fetch on mul 8.7.2
- — Version 8.7.1 Release Date – June 4, 2026 fixed: JS/CSS URLs created by WP Rocket are not delivered via Easy IO CDN fixed: docs/help links for Image Detective and Max Image Dimensions fixed: search during bulk optimization does not pa 8.7.1
- — Version 8.7.0 Release Date – May 21, 2026 changed: Linux binaries are now 64-bit for better compatibility with modern servers fixed: Image Detective uses incorrect dimensions for auto-sized srcset images fixed: size detection for imag 8.7.0
- — Version 8.6.0 Release Date – May 14, 2026 added: LCP image detection helper, along with improved UI for Resize Detection which has been renamed to Image Detective added: ability to exclude LCP image from Lazy Load added: filters for p 8.6.0
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceAll 13 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (8.9.1). Sites still on an older version should update.
- Patched Medium · 6.1 EWWW Image Optimizer <= 8.7.7 - Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via REQUEST_URI Parameter Key ↗2026-10-02 CVE-2026-92826 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 8.7.7 Patched in 8.8.0
- Patched Medium · 6.4 EWWW Image Optimizer <= 8.7.7 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗2026-09-30 CVE-2026-97067 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 8.7.7 Patched in 8.8.0
- Patched Medium · 6.4 EWWW Image Optimizer <= 8.7.6 - Authenticated (Author+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗2026-09-15 CVE-2026-91011 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 8.7.6 Patched in 8.7.7
- 2026-09-02 CVE-2026-84773 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 8.7.6 Patched in 8.7.7
- Patched Medium · 6.4 EWWW Image Optimizer <= 8.7.3 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'data-script' Lazy Load Attribute in Post Content ↗2026-08-18 CVE-2026-15446 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 8.7.3 Patched in 8.7.4
- Patched Medium · 5.3 EWWW Image Optimizer <= 7.2.0 - Unauthenticated Sensitive Information Exposure via Debug Log ↗2023-11-14 CVE-2023-40600 Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor Affects <= 7.2.0 Patched in 7.2.1
- 2023-09-08 Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor Affects < 7.2.1 Patched in 7.2.1
- 2014-10-09 CVE-2014-6243 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 2.0.1 Patched in 2.0.2
Vulnerability records provided by Wordfence Intelligence. Copyright 2012-2026 Defiant Inc. License and terms.
CVE records: Copyright 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. CVE terms of use.
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 49 languages, 20 at 90% or more
Plus 25 more locales with partial translations.
AI assistants
How it's measured →Whether ChatGPT and Claude name this plugin when asked the category question, and whether the readme gives them something to quote.
Share of voice
How often each assistant names EWWW Image Optimizer when asked about this topic, where it comes in the answer, and how that compares with its wp.org search position. Latest run 1 Nov 2026.
- Assistants
- ChatGPT, Claude
- Topics tracked
- Image optimization
Readme readiness
7 of 8 pass · checked 29 Oct 2026Can an assistant quote this readme? Eight deterministic checks over the wp.org listing, no model involved.
- ✓ Says what it does "Comprehensive image optimization with WebP, AVIF, Lazy Load, and more. Optimize images automatically for Fa..."
- ✓ Has a FAQ 8 questions in the FAQ.
- ✓ FAQ asks real questions 8 of 8 read like questions a user would type.
- ! Names who it is for One audience phrase ("if you want"); say who the plugin is for and what they use it for.
- ✓ Names what it works with Mentions WPML, bbPress, BuddyPress, Jetpack and 3 more.
- ✓ Headings and lists 13 headings and 3 lists.
- ✓ Enough to quote 6,447 characters of description.
- ✓ Tags match the text All 5 tags appear in the text.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2022-09-01 900K+ → 1M+ up after 427 days in tier
- 2021-07-01 800K+ → 900K+ up after 482 days in tier
- 2020-03-06 700K+ → 800K+ up after 491 days in tier
- 2018-11-01 600K+ → 700K+ up after 349 days in tier
- 2017-11-17 500K+ → 600K+ up after 195 days in tier
- 2017-05-06 400K+ → 500K+ up after 173 days in tier
- 2016-11-14 300K+ → 400K+ up after 254 days in tier
- 2016-03-05 200K+ → 300K+ up after 216 days in tier
Competes with
The plugins that solve the same job, ranked by shared tags then reach, closest match first. The letter on the right is each plugin's health grade (A best, F worst).
-
ShortPixel Adaptive Images – WebP, AVIF, CDN, Image Optimization 10K+ installs · 4.7★ · 3 shared tags A -
Cimo – Free Instant Image Optimizer & WebP Converter 10K+ installs · 4.5★ · 3 shared tags A -
Easy Image Optimizer 60+ installs · 4.1★ · 3 shared tags B -
Image Converter for WebP 1K+ installs · 4.2★ · 2 shared tags B -
Image Optimizer, Resizer and CDN – Sirv 900+ installs · 4.9★ · 2 shared tags A -
Webp Transformer 200+ installs · 3.6★ · 2 shared tags
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for EWWW Image Optimizer into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/ewww-image-optimizer" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="EWWW Image Optimizer — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> EWWW Image Optimizer: 1M+ active installs, 4.8★ (1,842 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-02. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/ewww-image-optimizer
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