Why does data compression not affect backups?

[The documentation is very clear on this point](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/data-compression/data-compression?view=sql-server-ver16#effect-on-other-sql-server-components) > Compression doesn't affect backup and restore. but how is that possible? Surely, if my table is smaller (due to compression), then that should have some impact on backups/restores? If my table is smaller, then it should load faster. If my table needs some decompressing, then that should make it takes longer. Either way, I just can't believe that data compression **does absolutely nothing** to backups and restores. What am I missing?