In short: go to Media → Library, switch to the list view, and use the Filename (imageseo) column. Type a new name and click Save, or click Optimize to let the AI choose a descriptive name. ImageSEO renames the original file and every size WordPress created, then updates the image’s address in your posts, pages and metadata. To rename many images at once, use the bulk optimization instead.
Rename a single image
- In your WordPress dashboard, open Media → Library.
- Switch to the list view with the list icon at the top left. The ImageSEO columns don’t appear in the grid view.
- Find the image. The Filename (imageseo) column shows its current file name.
- Either type a new name and click Save, or click Optimize to have the AI look at the image and pick a name for you.
- Wait for the “Filename saved” or “Filename optimized” message. The file has now been renamed.
The Alt (imageseo) column next to it works the same way for alt text: Save keeps what you typed, Optimize asks the AI.
Credits: Optimize sends the image to the AI, so it counts toward your monthly images. Typing a name yourself and clicking Save doesn’t use any.
What happens when a file is renamed
- The original file and all its sizes (thumbnail, medium, large and any
-scaled version) get the new name.
- The attachment’s data in WordPress is updated to point to the new files.
- Every occurrence of the old image address in your posts, pages and post metadata is replaced with the new one.
- The previous file data is kept in the attachment’s metadata, so the change can be traced back.
- If another file already has that name, WordPress-style uniqueness applies and a number is added.
Rename images automatically
You don’t have to rename images one by one:
- On upload: renaming new uploads is switched on by default in the ImageSEO settings. Each new image gets a descriptive name as it’s uploaded.
- In bulk: the bulk optimization can rename existing images while it writes their alt text. See how to bulk optimize your images.
Before you rename
- Test a few images first, then open the pages that use them and check they still display. Clear your caching plugin’s cache before checking.
- Page builders: renaming is switched off by default when Divi, Beaver Builder or Visual Composer is active, because they can store image addresses in their own encoded data. Here’s how to unlock file renaming for a page builder.
- Links from other sites: addresses inside your own site are updated, but other websites and Google Images still know the old URL. For images that are linked or shared a lot, add a redirect from the old address or leave them as they are.
Troubleshooting
I don’t see the Filename (imageseo) column
Make sure you’re in the list view, not the grid view. If you still don’t see it, open Screen Options at the top right of the Media Library and tick the ImageSEO columns.
An image is broken after renaming
Clear your site’s cache first. If it’s still broken, the page is probably built with a page builder that stores the image address in its own format. Re-select the image in the builder, and write to support@imageseo.io with the page URL so we can look at it.
For advice on what makes a good file name, read the image SEO guide.
