How do you optimize images for the web?

Optimizing images for the web primarily involves reducing their file size without sacrificing quality. This is crucial because smaller file sizes lead to faster loading times, which enhances user experience and can positively affect search engine rankings. When images are too large, they can slow down a website, increase bounce rates, and generally make it less appealing to users.

Reducing file size can be achieved through various methods such as compression, adjusting dimensions, or using appropriate image formats like JPEG for photographs and PNG for images that require transparency. This balance of maintaining image quality while minimizing file size is essential for efficient web design.

The other options do not effectively contribute to web optimization. Increasing resolution can actually lead to larger file sizes without necessarily improving visual quality for web use. Saving images in multiple formats may help to find the best one for specific use cases, but this process does not directly contribute to optimization in terms of performance. Lastly, embedding images directly in HTML may simplify the code but does not address the underlying need for optimized file sizes and loading efficiency.