What is gzip?
gzip (GNU zip) is a widely usedcompression program and format that is used in particular inthe web environmenttoreduce the file size of web content such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. Originally developed by Jean-loup Gailly and Mark Adler in 1992, it has become the standard for file compression on the Internet. gzip uses the DEFLATE algorithm, which is a combination of the LZ77 algorithm and Huffman coding, to compress data efficiently. Compression with gzip allows web servers sendcontent to thebrowser in a smaller format, significantlyreducingwebsiteloading times as less data needs to be transferred over the Internet.
How do I integrate gzip on my website?
The integration of gzip on your website depends on the web server you are using. There are specific configurations for the two most common web servers,ApacheandNginx:
Apache: With Apache, gzip can be enabled via the module mod_deflate This module enables the server to compress content before sending it. To activate it, you need to edit your website's .htaccess file or the Apache server's main configuration file and add the following code:
<IfModule mod_deflate.c>
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/plain
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/html
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/xml
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/css
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/xml
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/xhtml+xml
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/rss+xml
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/javascript
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/x-javascript
</IfModule>
Nginx: With Nginx, gzip is activated via the configuration file. nginx.conf. Add the following instructions to the file to enable gzip:
gzip on;
gzip_types text/plain text/css application/json application/javascript text/xml application/xml application/xml+rss text/javascript;
These configurations cause the server to automatically compress the specified file types before sending them to the browser.
Is gzip obsolete?
Although gzip has been around for over three decades, it isnot outdated. It remains an efficient and widely used method for reducing the size of web content. Modern alternatives such as Brotli, developed by Google, offer a better compression rate compared to gzip and are increasingly supported by modern browsers. Brotli is particularly effective at compressing text files and can further improve website loading times. However, not all browsers or web servers support Brotli, making gzip a reliable and compatible choice for website optimization. In practice, it is recommended to support both compression methods to ensure the best possible performance and compatibility.
Is using gzip an important SEO strategy?
The use of gzip is an importantSEO(search engine optimization) strategy. This is because the speed of a website is a critical factor for ranking in search engines such as Google. Websites thatload faster provide abetter user experience,whichis a key element for a positive rating by search engines. gzip significantly helps to reduce website loading times by compressing the size of files transmitted over the internet.
In addition, search engines such as Google place importance on the mobile friendliness of websites. Since mobile users oftenhavelimited data plans and/or may be subject to slower internet connections, reducing file sizes with gzip is particularly valuable for ensuring fast loading times on mobile devices.
