Google to Speed Up Chrome with Expanded Lazy Loading

Google is taking a new step to speed up web browsing in Chrome. The browser will feature lazy loading for video and audio elements to make web pages load faster. This feature is currently in development as part of the upcoming Chrome 148.

Google tests faster Chrome browsing with lazy loading for video and audio

Chrome has supported lazy loading for images and iframes for several years. However, Google is now taking things a step further, with Chrome set to delay the loading of video and audio elements on a webpage as well. Simply put, media content will load only when needed, rather than all at once when the page opens.

“Adds the loading attribute to <video> and <audio> elements, allowing developers to defer media resource loading until the element is near the viewport using loading=”lazy”, the Chrome Platform Status Portal notes.

The benefit will be noticeable on websites with a lot of media content. Since videos and audio files are usually large, they may slow down a page. By delaying their loading, Chrome will be able to make the browsing experience faster.

It is worth mentioning that this change could not affect YouTube videos as they are embedded using iframes. As mentioned above, the company already supports lazy loading for such embedded content. Instead, the new feature will play a key role for websites that use direct video and audio elements.

The good news is you won’t have to wait long to experience the new lazy loading feature. If testing is successful, Google could push the Chrome 148 update as early as mid-April. Moreover, the feature will arrive on desktop, Android, and iOS devices. Other Chromium-based browsers like Microsoft Edge should also get it.

If you want to try Chrome 148 early, you can join the Dev channel by downloading and installing the dedicated app on desktop and Android.