WP-Optimize
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Speed Up
Improves load speed of page and save the bandwidth.
The facts
- Rating
- 4.3★ from 12
- Active installs
- 500+
- Price
- Free
- Last updated
- 26 Jul 2026
- Added
- Aug 2016
- Requires WP
- 6.0
- Tested up to
- WP 7.0.4
- Requires PHP
- 7.0
- Downloads
- 50,111
Our analysis
AI-assistedSpeed Up – Lazy Load is a WordPress plugin that was designed to implement lazy loading for images and iframes, delaying their download until they are in view. However, since WordPress has integrated native lazy loading for images and iframes since versions 5.5 and 5.7 respectively, this plugin is now considered unnecessary for most users. It may still be useful for those specifically needing to lazy load CSS background images, as this feature is not covered by WordPress's built-in functionality.
The plugin is lightweight at only 5 kb and requires no configuration after installation. It is aimed at users who want to improve their site's load speed and save bandwidth by loading content only when it is needed. However, users should be aware that the plugin may hinder performance by replacing image sources with placeholders, which can negatively affect Core Web Vitals metrics like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP).
Best for: Users who specifically need to lazy load CSS background images on their WordPress site.
What it does well
- ✓Lightweight at only 5 kb
- ✓No configuration required after installation
- ✓Helps save bandwidth by loading images on demand
Where it falls short
- •Now considered unnecessary due to WordPress's built-in lazy loading
- •May negatively impact performance metrics like LCP
- •Limited functionality for users not needing to lazy load CSS background images
Verdict
While the plugin offers some benefits for specific use cases, its general utility has diminished with WordPress's built-in features. Users should evaluate their needs before deciding to keep it active.
From the developer
nigro.simone's own description of Speed Up, lightly tidied.
This plugin is no longer needed. WordPress has lazy-loaded images since version 5.5 and iframes since 5.7, using the browser’s native loading="lazy" — the same job, with no JavaScript.
It now works against you: replacing each image’s src with a placeholder stops the browser from discovering your largest image early, and that image is the one Core Web Vitals measures as LCP.
You can safely deactivate it. The one thing WordPress does not cover is lazy loading CSS background images. If you rely on that, keep it; otherwise there is nothing left for it to do.
This plugin, implementing “Lazy Load” technique, avoids download of the pictures and iframe that are not displayed on the screen (for example: images in the bottom of the page) until the user will display them. This improves load speed of page and save the bandwidth.
Configurations are not required! You just have to install it and after the plugin does it all, none further action it’s required.
This plugin is very light: only 5 kb.
Tagged as
purpose
Performance & Speed
topic
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