Image optimization

Image optimization is a feature of the installed PROVEN application. It works on the image file itself and is separate from checking or editing ALT text.

#Main rule

For eligible images, PROVEN tries to reduce file size without changing the source format. If the processed version is not smaller, the original stays unchanged.

Currently:

• JPEG stays JPEG;
• PNG stays PNG;
• WebP stays WebP;
• images below the 2048 × 2048 px limit are not enlarged;
• animated images are left unchanged.

#How the change is controlled

The flow keeps checks before and after publication:

1. read the current image from Shopify;
2. retain the original when the change can be safely restored;
3. process the image in the same format;
4. compare the processed file size with the original;
5. recheck the Shopify image immediately before replacement;
6. publish only the eligible result;
7. confirm the result after Shopify processing.

If the image changed in the meantime, the process stops instead of overwriting a newer version.

#Verification after publication

An accepted change request is not enough to declare success. PROVEN checks that the published result is available again and matches the prepared result.

If the result cannot be confirmed, it is not presented as verified success.

#Restore

Restore is available only when the required original exists and the current state can be checked safely.

Before reversal, PROVEN verifies that the image in the store is still the result produced by optimization. If the store changed in the meantime, restore stops instead of overwriting the later change.

A successful restore is a new event in history; it does not erase the original optimization.

#Media storage and retention

For images that can be optimized, PROVEN temporarily stores both the original file and the optimized version needed for verification and restore in Cloudflare R2. These files are not exposed directly to the browser or store.

The included media backup is kept for 30 days after optimization is confirmed complete. Some plans may provide a longer retention period. After the applicable period, the files may be deleted according to the retention policy; privacy- or uninstall-related deletion may occur earlier where required.

#What optimization does not change

File optimization does not automatically change:

• ALT text;
• product or variant associations;
• image format;
• animated images;
• images where processing would produce a larger file.

See the Image optimization page for the feature details available now and Audit and traceability for change history and restore behavior.