Which technique is commonly used to optimize images for web performance?

Using compression techniques and appropriate formats to optimize images for web performance is essential for improving loading times and enhancing user experience. When images are compressed, their file sizes are reduced without significantly losing quality, which helps webpages load faster. This is particularly important for users on slower internet connections, as large image files can hinder the overall speed of the site.

Additionally, choosing the correct image format plays a crucial role in optimization. For example, JPEG is often preferred for photographs because it can maintain good quality at lower file sizes, while PNG may be better for images that require transparency. Using modern formats like WebP can further enhance performance by delivering smaller file sizes with comparable quality.

In contrast, increasing image resolution actually makes files larger and can slow down loading times, which is counterproductive for web performance. Embedding images directly in HTML can lead to larger page sizes and slower loading if the images are not optimized. Applying complex filters can increase processing time and the file size of the image, again leading to poorer performance. Therefore, optimizing images through compression and careful format selection is a widely accepted best practice for web development to ensure efficient data transfer and optimal user experience.