Assign categories in the Media Library

WordPress Media Library Categories Premium adds category management to the Media Library. Use the category dropdown to add, edit, or remove categories on media items. A category filter narrows the library list, and bulk actions change category assignments on multiple entries at once.

Filter media while selecting or displaying it

The Premium edition adds a category filter when inserting media into a post or page. In the gallery shortcode, the category attribute accepts a category slug or term ID:

• [gallery category="my-category-slug"] uses a category slug.
• [gallery category="14"] uses a term ID.

To show attachments uploaded to a specific post and filter them by category, combine id and category, for example [gallery category="my-category-slug" id="123"]. Set id="" to target the current post or page: [gallery category="my-category-slug" id=""]. With an incorrect slug, WordPress shows pictures attached to the displayed post or page; an incorrect term ID returns no images. Otherwise, the gallery shortcode works as it does by default.

When media needs its own category structure

By default, Media Library entries use the same categories as posts and pages. To manage media categories separately, set a custom taxonomy under Settings > Media. The listed taxonomy filter support covers WordPress 4.9 through 7.1.

Install and get started

Install and activate the Premium edition in WordPress, then open the Media Library to manage categories and apply bulk actions. If you want separate media categories, review the taxonomy setting under Settings > Media. To filter a gallery, add the category attribute with the relevant slug or term ID.