Image optimisation is the process of reducing the file sizes of your images so they don’t slow down your site. The goal is to reduce the image file size without losing image quality visibility – it’s a fine balance to find. While smaller images are a great way to speed up your website, you don’t want pixelated, unattractive images on your site.
See also: Image compression, Page speed, Technical SEO
Further reading: How to Optimise Images for Better Web Performance