Batch Conversion
Run manual browser-side WordPress Media Library optimization batches with GetWebP. Learn about presets, 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.
No GetWebP account, license key, credits, or external job authorization is required. The workflow stays between the administrator's browser and the same WordPress site.
Original images are never modified.
Table of Contents#
- How It Works
- Eligible Images
- Starting a Batch
- Compression Presets
- No Account or Usage Quota
- Same-Site Save Boundary
- Monitoring Progress
- Rebuilding Images
- Deleting Optimized Copies
How It Works#
- 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 JPEG, PNG, and BMP WordPress Media Library attachments. Animated PNG is detected and skipped to preserve animation. Animated GIF, HEIC, and HEIF inputs are not processed by the WordPress.org Free package.
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.
- 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.
No Account or Usage Quota#
The WordPress.org Free plugin does not require an account or license key and does not enforce monthly credits or a paid-unlock batch cap. You can scan and process the eligible Media Library scope selected in the admin screen.
Browser memory and source-image dimensions are practical limits. For very large libraries or images, use smaller selections and keep the admin tab open while processing.
Same-Site Save Boundary#
The plugin does not contact a GetWebP service to approve, reserve, complete, or refund a batch. Source files are read by the administrator's browser and generated files are posted back through authenticated requests to the same WordPress site.
Normal hosting, CDN, backup, and security-plugin behavior still applies to files stored on your WordPress site.
Monitoring Progress#
The dashboard shows:
- current image and size
- processed count
- failed count
- saved bytes
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.