Image SEO Optimizer writes WCAG-compliant alt text, SEO-friendly filenames, titles and keywords for every image in your media library — using your own Anthropic, Google or OpenAI API key, or the AI connectors built into WordPress 7.0 and later. Rename safely: every filename change is auto-301-redirected so search engines never lose a link.
What you’ll find in these docs
Setup walkthroughs, the SEO scoring algorithm explained, every hook and filter for developers, troubleshooting recipes, and a clear breakdown of what’s free versus what Pro adds. Pro features are marked inline so you always know what you have access to.
How it works
Four steps from install to fully-optimized images. The free plugin handles single-image optimization end-to-end; Pro adds bulk runs, real-time upload optimization and custom-post-type support.
Install & activate
Install Image SEO Optimizer from WordPress.org or upload the ZIP. Activate the plugin and the setup wizard launches automatically.
Add an AI API key
Add at least one API key — Anthropic, Google or OpenAI. Google’s Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite is the cheapest of the three at the plugin’s reference pricing, and the default model in a fresh install. Keys are encrypted at rest using WordPress security salts. You only need one provider.
Optimize an image
From the dashboard, pick any image and click ‘Optimize’. The AI analyzes the image, writes alt text, a clean filename, a title and keywords, then renames the file safely — content in all six supported page builders (Gutenberg, Elementor, WPBakery, Visual Composer, Uncode and Divi) is updated automatically and old URLs 301-redirect to the new ones.
Track and refine
Watch your media library SEO score climb on the dashboard. Edit any AI suggestion inline, adjust scoring weights to match your SEO priorities, or open the changelog to see what changed — it records the value before and after every edit, and is read-only.
Free vs Pro at a glance
The free plugin is fully functional for single-image optimization, scoring, file renaming and 301 redirects. Pro is for sites that need to optimize hundreds or thousands of images at once, or want optimization to happen automatically on upload.
| Feature | Free | Personal | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing & Support | ||||
| Number of Sites | 1 Site | 1 Site | 10 Sites | Unlimited Sites |
| Support | Community | Standard | Priority | White-glove |
| Updates | Lifetime | 1 Year / Lifetime | 1 Year / Lifetime | 1 Year / Lifetime |
| Core Features | ||||
| Single Image Optimization | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Bulk Optimization | remove_circle_outline | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Image Context Generation | remove_circle_outline | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Real-time Upload Optimization | remove_circle_outline | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Maximum Images | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| SEO Optimization | ||||
| Keyword Generation | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Filename Optimization | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Alt Text Generation | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Title Text Generation | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Caption Generation | remove_circle_outline | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Description Generation | remove_circle_outline | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| SEO Score Analysis | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Custom SEO Settings | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| AI Models | ||||
| Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Gemini 3.1 Pro | remove_circle_outline | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| GPT-4.1 mini | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| GPT-5 mini | remove_circle_outline | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Claude 4.5 Haiku | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Claude 4.5 Sonnet | remove_circle_outline | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Page Builder Support | ||||
| Gutenberg (Block Editor) | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Elementor | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| WPBakery | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Uncode | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Visual Composer | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Divi Builder | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Advanced Features | ||||
| API Usage Dashboard | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Woo (WooCommerce) Support | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Custom Post Type Support | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Get Free | Get Personal | Get Freelancer | Get Agency | |
When Pro pays for itself
If you have more than ~50 images to optimize, or you publish new content regularly, Pro saves more time in the first week than it costs for a year. Bulk optimization runs in the background — close the tab and come back to a fully-optimized library.