Frequently Asked Questions
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Once the plugin is running, Spark picks up your images and sends them to our environment. There they're intelligently compressed and converted to modern formats like WebP and AVIF. You don't have to do anything manually.
They stay with you, on your server or in your storage. We mainly show visitors the optimized version. If you turn off the plugin, your site works as it did before.
In practice, yes. Spark works seamlessly with popular themes and builders like Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder, and Gutenberg.
There's no fixed "max MB" per image. Your subscription focuses on how much we process for you and how much traffic that entails.
That's right. Those files can also be included in the optimization process, making your entire site lighter.
WordPress multisite is configured differently depending on your hosting and plugin setup. In many cases, Spark works just like on single-site installs, but check your setup or ask us.
Much of the metadata is often unnecessary and heavy for web display. Spark can strip it where it's safe for your use case; you can discuss specific preferences with us.
Yes, as long as cache rules are correct. After a bulk run, a cache purge may be needed so visitors see the new formats. Common WordPress caching plugins are compatible as long as you don't set aggressive "ignore query string" on media.
You set the policy as Spark supports it: often AVIF where possible, WebP as a broad fallback, original as a last resort. Details are in the plugin settings.
It depends on your plan and roadmap. Let us know if you need integrations.
Yes, you can often choose to optimize only new media, only your library, or both. This way you can migrate gradually.
Double optimization is rarely needed. Compare results on bytes and quality; Spark focuses on perceptual quality and modern codecs in your own workflow.
That depends on the number of assets, average size, and your limit. Small sites are often done quickly; large libraries process gradually through the queue.
Yes, you can stop processing or deactivate the plugin. Note: visitors will see your old delivery again until you return.
Lossless: no quality loss, less savings in bytes. Lossy: maximum savings, higher risk of visible artifacts if you go too far. Glossy is in between and is often the sweet spot for webshops and marketing visuals.
Spark is built around modern image delivery on the web. How you fill in your theme srcset varies per theme/builder; the plugin adapts where possible.
Sometimes, but conflicts can occur (double conversion or double lazy-loading). Test on staging and maintain one "source of truth" for compression.
Smaller images mainly help LCP and overall load time. It's not a guarantee for green scores - your server, JS and fonts also matter.
Caching, outdated HTML, or a plugin still forcing the old file. Check response headers, cache layers, and whether your theme is actually serving the optimized file.
Spark Speed recognizes an active cache plugin and never takes over its cache without permission. In safe mode, Spark Speed only caches, without further optimization, for extra peace of mind.
Every risky optimization is first tested on a shadow render of your own pages, and only changes that provably don't break anything remain. If something goes wrong anyway, Spark Speed automatically disables that optimization for just that page.
No, you don't. By default, you export a diagnosis and run the Claude skill in your own Claude subscription, at no extra cost. If you want it to fetch automatically, you can do that with your own Claude API key.
Yes, the plugin runs entirely in PHP on your own server, with no Node or Chromium needed. For object caching, it can use Redis, Memcached, APCu or SQLite, depending on what your hosting offers.
It shouldn't: the self-test checks functionality, layout and visual details before an optimization stays in place. If it happens anyway, the auto-rollback detects the issue and Spark Speed automatically disables that optimization for just that URL.
Yes, with one click. Both an entire optimization round and the automatic rollback on a single URL can be reversed immediately.
From EUR 69.99 per year for 1 site, up to Unlimited for an unlimited number of sites, also available monthly. Prices exclude VAT.
Yes, as long as your site is built with Breakdance and runs on at least WordPress 6.0 with PHP 8.1. The plugin reads and translates your existing Breakdance pages, so you don't need to rebuild anything.
You connect your own DeepL or Claude key and pay that translation service directly, with no markup from Spark Multilingual. If you don't have a key, you can fill in translations manually via the Studio or through CSV import.
No. The translation layer is completely additive and never changes the source text of your pages, headers, footers or templates. If you disable the plugin, your site simply continues running in the source language, without any loss of content.
Yes. Each language automatically gets the correct hreflang tags and its own place in the sitemap. Pages that aren't fully translated yet receive noindex, so they never appear half-translated in Google.
There's no built-in limit on the number of languages. In practice, you decide that yourself, depending on your AI budget and how much time you want to spend reviewing.
No, that's exactly why the plugin exists. Your source page remains the only page, each language gets its own translation layer on top, so no copies to maintain.
You can cancel your license anytime. If you disable the plugin, your site will simply continue working in the source language and you won't lose any content, because nothing was ever changed on your original pages.
Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade through your account and it takes effect immediately in our workflow.
We only keep your media as long as needed for processing. We don't sell data and operate in compliance with GDPR.
Absolutely. Our team will help you get started with installation and setup if you need it.
Unlimited is intended for normal business use. If usage really gets out of hand and puts pressure on our infrastructure, we'll give you a call to find something suitable together.
Spark is currently best developed for WordPress. Do you have a custom site or something else? Just send us an email and we'll honestly look at whether and how we can help you.
SparkCore builds software to make websites faster and lighter, with a focus on media and WordPress. Spark Media Optimizer is our plugin for compression and modern image formats.
We operate across Europe with a remote-first approach. You'll find our postal and legal information on our website under contact and in our legal documents.
A small, senior team of engineers and product people. Not a call center: you'll talk to people who know the product.
We aim to respond within one business day. Urgent or down? Mention that in the subject line and we'll prioritize it.
Yes, on request. Send some context about your site and stack, and we'll schedule something.
You remain responsible for the content you publish. Spark technically processes what you have on your site; check your licenses and model releases as always.
We process media for optimization; retention periods and locations are described in our privacy policy. Sign a data processing agreement if your organization requires it.
For larger environments, we're happy to make custom arrangements. Get in touch with your requirements (sites, volumes, compliance).
For business customers, often yes. Email finance/contact with your procurement process.
Report it with theme/plugin versions and an example URL. We take regressions seriously and can often provide a hotfix or workaround.
Media keeps evolving; video and vector are topics on our roadmap. Let us know if you have volumes now.
For agency partners, there are options; discuss your use case.
We sometimes do custom work for agencies and hosting providers. Send your proposal through the contact form, and we'll connect you with the right team.