JPEG XL Isn’t Supported in Google Images or Discover: Which Image Formats Are

JPEG XL Isn't Supported in Google Images or Discover: Which Image Formats Are

Written by

Mauricio Rodriguez

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JPEG XL is one of the most efficient image formats available, and browsers have started to display it. But if you switch your images to it, Google may not show them. On October 15, 2026, John Mueller confirmed on Bluesky that JPEG XL is currently not supported in Google Images and Google Discover previews.

What Google confirmed

  • Not supported: JPEG XL (.jxl) images in Google Images and in Discover image previews, according to Mueller.
  • Browsers are ahead: Chrome and Firefox can display JPEG XL, which is why some sites have started using it.
  • Mixed signals: Glenn Gabe reported on October 23 that some .jxl files do appear in Google Images results, so support may be changing. Until Google documents it, treat it as unsupported.

The formats Google supports

Google’s image documentation lists these formats for images in an img element:

  • JPEG: the safe default for photos.
  • PNG: for graphics and images with transparency.
  • WebP: smaller than JPEG and PNG, supported everywhere that matters.
  • AVIF: even smaller in many cases, now widely supported.
  • GIF, BMP and SVG.

The safest image setup for SEO

  • Serve WebP or AVIF with a fallback. The picture element lets browsers pick the best format they support while Google and older clients get one it understands.
  • If you use JPEG XL, always include a fallback. List the JPEG XL source first and a JPEG, WebP or AVIF version as the img, so Google always has a supported file.
  • Use a supported format for social and Discover images. Your Open Graph image and the featured images Discover uses should be JPEG, PNG or WebP, at least 1,200 pixels wide. Check yours with our Open Graph Checker.
  • Do not forget the basics. Descriptive file names, alt text and lazy loading still matter. In our study of 1 million websites, 12.1% of images on home pages had no alt attribute.
<picture>
  <source srcset="photo.jxl" type="image/jxl">
  <source srcset="photo.avif" type="image/avif">
  <img src="photo.webp" alt="Descriptive alt text" width="1200" height="630" loading="lazy">
</picture>

Audit any page for missing alt text and other image issues with our free SEO Audit Tool.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Does Google support JPEG XL?

Not in Google Images or Discover previews, according to John Mueller on October 15, 2026. Some .jxl files have been seen in Google Images, but support is not documented.

Which image format is best for SEO?

WebP or AVIF for most images, with a fallback for older clients. JPEG and PNG remain fully supported.

Can I use JPEG XL on my website?

Yes, as long as you provide a fallback in a supported format with the picture element, so Google and older browsers can still read the image.

What image format should I use for Discover?

A large JPEG, PNG or WebP image, at least 1,200 pixels wide, set as the featured or Open Graph image.

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