Short answer
Use JPEG when you need the most reliable GPS EXIF output. Use PNG or WebP only when your workflow specifically needs those formats and you understand that metadata visibility can vary across platforms and viewers.
HEIC is common on phones, but browser-based write support is not reliable enough for the first version of GeoTag Photos. Convert HEIC to JPEG first when you need dependable GPS EXIF.
JPEG: best for broad compatibility
JPEG is the practical standard for geotagged photos. It has mature EXIF support and is widely understood by metadata tools. For client delivery, audits, and local publishing workflows, this makes JPEG easier to verify.
If your source photo is already JPEG, keep the original unchanged and export a geotagged copy. That gives you a clean rollback path if the target platform handles metadata differently than expected.
PNG: useful but inconsistent
PNG was not built around photo camera metadata in the same way JPEG was. It can carry metadata through eXIf or XMP chunks, but not every viewer exposes that information clearly.
Use PNG metadata for internal reports, design workflows, or systems that you control. If a client asks for geotagged photos and does not specify a format, JPEG is still safer.
WebP: modern web format with partial metadata support
WebP can carry EXIF metadata inside RIFF chunks, but support varies across libraries, viewers, and publishing platforms. A WebP file may contain GPS metadata even when a particular viewer does not show it.
GeoTag Photos marks WebP as partial compatibility so teams do not confuse successful writing with universal platform visibility.
Format decision checklist
Choose the output format based on who needs to read the metadata, where the file will be published, and whether you need a verifiable client deliverable.
- Choose JPEG for client handoff and broad metadata verification.
- Choose PNG when the file is part of a design workflow and compatibility is acceptable.
- Choose WebP for web image pipelines that have already been tested.
- Convert HEIC to JPEG before geotagging in v1.