Example: our owl on a branch drawing, with a comment and a metadata block like the ones drawing programs write when they save. Drop your SVG to replace it.
3219 bytes · 22 elements · 6 paths. Canvas: 94 mm × 75.591 mm.
Before: 3219 bytes. After: 2849 bytes. Removed: 1 comment and 1 metadata block.
Only comments and metadata come out: paths are not simplified, and hidden shapes stay in the file.