Rename Media Files: Improve Your SEO Pro extends filename, permalink, and metadata tools for a WordPress media library that may contain images, PDFs, and other documents. The base extension cleans and renames uploads; Pro adds more values for naming rules and controls for media already in the library.

Build filenames from rules

The filename structure combines enabled rules for new uploads. The base plugin can use the site URL, post title, or current date, remove accents and special characters, and convert filenames to lowercase. Its filters can skip files without extensions, selected extensions, or filenames containing specified text. When a rename changes a file, the plugin can also update its permalink.

Pro adds datetime, upload date, a custom string, post slug, visitor ID, user role, username, product SKU, and post ID as rule values. For example, a post slug can tie an image filename to an article, while a product SKU can identify shop media. These values set a naming convention; they do not describe an image’s contents.

When names or references need updating

• Edit an individual media filename and permalink manually.
• Apply new filenames and permalinks to previously uploaded media.
• When a file is renamed, update references to it in post content to help prevent broken links or missing media.
• Automatically update filenames when a post changes, keeping media names aligned with the related content.
• Rename image extensions from JPEG to JPG.

For a library cleanup, use the existing-media tools to apply revised naming and permalink rules. If renamed files appear in post content, enable reference updating so those references are changed along with the file.

Set access and image metadata

Renaming options can be restricted by user role or custom post type. For images, Pro can automatically populate alt text and media titles using predefined options or the original filename. These fields are separate from the filename and can be set to support image descriptions and accessibility.

Configure the workflow

In the plugin settings, define the filename structure and enable the rules that should apply to uploads. With Pro active, pick from the added rule values, then use manual editing or existing-media updates for files that are already stored. Compatibility handling includes disabling profile upload renaming for BuddyBoss, addressing Gravity Forms entry export issues, and handling WPForms file upload issues.