WordPress loads emoji scripts (wp-emoji-release.min.js, etc.) on every page by default. Most sites do not need this, and the scripts add unnecessary HTTP requests and a bit of overhead.
To remove the emoji scripts, add the following code to your functions.php file:
/**
* Remove WordPress emoji scripts
*/
remove_action( 'wp_head', 'print_emoji_detection_script', 7 );
remove_action( 'admin_print_scripts', 'print_emoji_detection_script' );
remove_action( 'wp_print_styles', 'print_emoji_styles' );
remove_action( 'admin_print_styles', 'print_emoji_styles' );
remove_filter( 'the_content_feed', 'wp_staticize_emoji' );
remove_filter( 'comment_text_rss', 'wp_staticize_emoji' );
remove_filter( 'wp_mail', 'wp_staticize_emoji_for_email' );
add_filter( 'tiny_mce_plugins', function( $plugins ) {
return is_array( $plugins ) ? array_diff( $plugins, array( 'wpemoji' ) ) : array();
} );Result: fewer HTTP requests and lighter pages. For more performance tips, see the Guide to Google PageSpeed for WordPress Users.