Batch Conversion
Run manual browser-side WordPress Media Library optimization batches with GetWebP. Learn about presets, credits, progress, stopping, and rebuilding.
Batch Conversion
Batch conversion in the free plugin is manual and browser-side. GetWebP scans Media Library attachments, processes eligible image sizes in the administrator's browser, then saves generated WebP and optional AVIF files beside the original uploads.
Connect the site to a free GetWebP account before running batches. The connection authorizes service credits and job metadata, but image files are not uploaded to GetWebP.
Original images are never modified.
Table of Contents#
- How It Works
- Eligible Images
- Starting a Batch
- Compression Presets
- Credit Limits
- Service Job Authorization
- Monitoring Progress
- Rebuilding Images
- Deleting Optimized Copies
How It Works#
- GetWebP confirms the site is connected and credits are available.
- GetWebP scans WordPress Media Library attachments.
- The browser downloads eligible source files from the same WordPress site.
- WebAssembly workers create WebP and optional AVIF outputs.
- WordPress saves generated files next to the source upload and records attachment status.
- The Media Library status column and recent runs show the result.
Keep the admin tab open while a batch is running.
Eligible Images#
Batch scans cover WordPress Media Library attachments with supported image MIME types, including JPEG, PNG, APNG, BMP, HEIC, and HEIF. HEIC and HEIF conversion depends on the administrator's current browser support. Animated GIFs are skipped by the free optimizer.
Source files must be readable from the same WordPress uploads context the admin page can access. External images and non-Media Library files are not scanned by the free batch optimizer.
Starting a Batch#
- Go to GetWebP in WordPress admin.
- Confirm the site is connected to a GetWebP account and credits remain.
- Scan the Media Library.
- Review the scan result.
- Use Preview quality if you want a visual check before writing files.
- Click Optimize.
- Use Stop if you need to pause work.
- Use Continue to rescan and continue the same run target.
You can run the full library, selected Media Library items, or a single attachment action.
Compression Presets#
GetWebP provides three named presets:
| Preset | Best for |
|---|---|
| Balanced | Good quality and solid savings for most sites |
| Aggressive | Smaller files with a slight, usually invisible quality tradeoff |
| Ultra | Maximum savings where speed matters more than fine detail |
Use Preview quality before rebuilding a large library.
Credit Limits#
The free plugin includes:
| Limit | Free |
|---|---|
| Monthly optimization credits | 100 |
| Images per browser batch | 20 |
One Media Library source image counts once per monthly period when generated files are saved. WordPress-generated sizes for the same source image are included in that count. Duplicate attachments that point at the same physical source are counted once where the plugin can identify the shared source.
Preview does not consume credits because it writes no files. Re-optimizing the same source in the same monthly period still counts once for that period.
When free credits are exhausted:
- new optimization runs cannot start until reset or upgrade
- existing generated files stay in place
- standard WebP delivery continues for files already generated
Service Job Authorization#
Before files are saved, the plugin reserves service credits for the current job. When the browser run finishes, WordPress reports completion status so credits can be finalized or refunded for failed work.
If credits expire, the account is disconnected, or a security plugin blocks the service status request, rescan and start the batch again after resolving the issue.
The service job contains bounded metadata such as local attachment identifiers, source dimensions, MIME type, requested outputs, preset, and job status. Original images, decoded pixels, and generated files are not uploaded to GetWebP.
Monitoring Progress#
The dashboard shows:
- current image and size
- processed count
- failed count
- saved bytes
- account credit usage
Failures are kept in the run history so you can retry or rebuild specific images.
Rebuilding Images#
Use rebuild when settings change and you want new generated copies:
- Change preset, AVIF setting, or max width.
- Save settings.
- Rebuild one image from Media Library row actions, or rebuild a previous run from History.
Existing generated files stay until replaced or deleted.
Deleting Optimized Copies#
To remove all tracked generated files:
- Go to GetWebP -> Settings.
- Open Maintenance.
- Click Delete optimized copies.
This removes generated GetWebP files tracked by the plugin. Original uploads stay in place.
For run-level undo and uninstall cleanup, see Undo & Cleanup.