Smart Image Loading
What it does
Smart Image Loading replaces the older Defer Images feature. It controls how front-end content images load so below-the-fold media does not block the first paint — while protecting important LCP images.
For section/row/column backgrounds, use Background Images. For whole sections, use Lazy Rendering.
Watch the walkthrough
Starts at 9:19 in the Divi Nitro 5.0 walkthrough.
Where to find it
Divi Engine → Nitro Settings → Smart Image Loading
Settings
| Setting | Type | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image loading mode | Radio | Off | Smart (recommended): hero loads immediately, others lazy-load near the viewport. Classic: placeholders until page load, then all images. Off: no site-wide Nitro image behaviour. Per-module overrides still apply |
| Protect first images (LCP) | Number | 1 | How many images from the top load immediately with high priority. Smart mode only |
| Never lazy-load | Text | empty | Comma-separated classes or IDs that always load immediately (for example hero-image, #main-logo). Smart mode only |
| Lazy-load Media Library images | Toggle | Off | Apply loading rules to newly inserted Media Library images. Existing images in content are not rewritten |
| Disable Images On Mobile | Text | empty | CSS class name. Images/modules with that class do not load on mobile (desktop only) |
Per-module controls
On Image, Fullwidth Image, Gallery, and Blurb (Divi 4 and Divi 5), open Advanced → Nitro Image Loading:
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Default | Follow the global image loading mode |
| Load immediately | Always eager, even if the global mode is Smart or Classic |
| Lazy load | Always lazy, even if the global mode is Off |
Other lazy-load plugins
Do not also enable aggressive lazy-load in LiteSpeed or WP Rocket while Nitro Smart Image Loading is on. See Working with other performance plugins.
Legacy name
Older docs called this Defer Images. /Features/defer-images redirects here.