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Integrating Cloudinary with Next.js

cloudinary nextjs

Next.js is a React.js-based web application framework that gives developers tools that extend React capabilities including data fetching and page rendering.

Cloudinary works complementary with Next.js allowing developers to take advantage of modern tooling while being able to build performant web apps with automatic optimization and use powerful media features like dynamic cropping and other transformations.

Using Cloudinary with Next.js

There are a few options for getting started with using Cloudinary in Next.js.

Next Cloudinary

Next Cloudinary is a community-built solution for using Cloudinary in a Next.js project. It includes tools like the CldImage component, social cards, and an upload widget.

Important: Community-developed libraries are developed, tested and maintained by the community. Bug fixes and feature requests should be submitted in the relevant repository.

The CldImage component wraps the Next.js Image component, extending the features with the power of Cloudinary tech.

This includes features beyond automatic optimization like dynamic cropping and resizing, background removal, and image and text overlays.

For basic usage, first install the package with:

yarn add next-cloudinary
# or
npm install next-cloudinary

Add your Cloudinary environment variables in `.env.local`:

NEXT_PUBLIC_CLOUDINARY_CLOUD_NAME="<Your Cloud Name>"

And use the component in your project:

import { CldImage } from 'next-cloudinary';
<CldImage
  width="600"
  height="600"
  src="<Public ID>"

The CldOgImage component uses the same APIs as CldImage to easily generate social media cards for your website.

And to easily upload images and videos to Cloudinary the CldUploadWidget is a drop-in solution that wraps the Cloudinary Upload Widget for Next.js.

Learn more about all of the features at: https://next-cloudinary.spacejelly.dev/

Next.js Image Component Cloudinary Loader

When using the built-in Next.js Image component, you can specify to use the Cloudinary Loader to deliver your images using Cloudinary with basic included features including resizing and optimization.

As of Next.js 13, you must configure the loader directly on the Image component:

<Image … loader={<Loader Function>} />

> Note: The Next Cloudinary library above handles this for you acting as a wrapper around the Next.js Image component.

Find a full example over on Github

Next.js Image Component Allowed Domain

You can use the Next.js Image component with Next.js features by adding Cloudinary as an “allowed domain”.

This does not rely on Cloudinary for delivery, but uses Next.js and the platform the project is deployed on to dynamically serve the Cloudinary-sourced image from a serverless function.

> Note: This isn’t our recommended solution as this prevents the Cloudinary CDN from fully functioning with the Next.js processing and delivery in front of the Cloudinary URL request.

In your `next.config.js` file add the following to your configuration:

images: {
  domains: ['res.cloudinary.com']
}

Find a full example over on Github

Cloudinary React SDK

Next.js is built on top of React.js which allows you to use the Cloudinary React SDK.

Learn more about the available components, widgets, and tools on the Cloudinary docs: https://cloudinary.com/documentation/react_integration

Or find examples on GitHub: https://github.com/colbyfayock/cloudinary-examples#react

“Front

More Resources

Learn more about how to use Cloudinary with Next.js:

QUICK TIPS
Colby Fayock
Cloudinary Logo Colby Fayock

In my experience, here are tips that can help you better integrate Cloudinary with Next.js:

  1. Use Next Cloudinary for seamless integration
    The Next Cloudinary library provides a robust wrapper around Next.js’s Image component, offering advanced features like dynamic cropping, background removal, and overlays. This integration allows you to fully leverage Cloudinary’s media optimization and transformation capabilities while adhering to Next.js best practices.
  2. Optimize performance with Cloudinary’s CDN
    Ensure that your Next.js project is configured to use Cloudinary’s CDN for image delivery. This reduces latency and speeds up image loading times by serving media from the closest server to the user. The Next Cloudinary package simplifies this by automatically handling Cloudinary URLs.
  3. Leverage responsive images for different devices
    Use the responsive sizing features in Cloudinary to deliver optimized images tailored to various screen sizes and resolutions. This not only enhances performance but also improves the user experience on both desktop and mobile devices.
  4. Enable lazy loading for images
    Combine Cloudinary’s image optimizations with Next.js’s built-in support for lazy loading. This ensures that images are only loaded when they enter the viewport, which reduces initial page load times and enhances performance, especially on image-heavy pages.
  5. Generate social media cards dynamically
    Use the CldOgImage component from Next Cloudinary to create dynamic Open Graph images (social media cards). This feature allows you to automatically generate and customize images for sharing on social media, improving engagement and click-through rates.
  6. Secure media uploads with signed URLs
    When implementing the CldUploadWidget or any other upload functionality, ensure that you use signed URLs to secure your uploads. Signed URLs prevent unauthorized uploads and access, adding a layer of security to your application.
  7. Optimize video delivery
    Cloudinary isn’t just for images; it also excels at video delivery. Use the Cloudinary React SDK to deliver optimized video content in your Next.js applications. Features like adaptive bitrate streaming ensure that videos play smoothly on any connection speed.
  8. Handle large media libraries with Cloudinary DAM
    If your Next.js project involves managing a large number of media assets, consider using Cloudinary’s Digital Asset Management (DAM) system. It provides a centralized repository for all your media, with advanced search and organization tools, making it easier to manage and retrieve assets.
  9. Utilize AI-driven transformations
    Cloudinary offers AI-driven transformations, such as auto-cropping to focus on faces or objects within an image. These features can be easily integrated into your Next.js project to enhance user experience by automatically optimizing visual content.
  10. Monitor and analyze media performance
    Use Cloudinary’s analytics tools to monitor the performance of your media assets. Track metrics like load times, format distribution, and transformation efficiency to continuously optimize your Next.js project and ensure that your media is performing at its best.
Last updated: Aug 24, 2024