runthings.dev

<p>When you upload media to WordPress, the title field is automatically set to a slugified version of the filename. This often results in messy, unoptimized titles like “IMG-20240115-photo-final-v2” appearing in gallery captions, alt tags, or title attributes.</p>
<p>This plugin clears the title field for newly uploaded media, ensuring that if a title is displayed anywhere, it’s one you’ve intentionally set yourself.</p>
<h4>Features</h4>
<ul>
<li>Automatically clears the title field for new media uploads</li>
<li>Bulk action to clear titles on existing media library items</li>
<li>Lightweight with no settings page required</li>
<li>Developer-friendly with filters</li>
</ul>
<h4>How It Works</h4>
<p>The plugin hooks into WordPress’s <code>wp_insert_attachment_data</code> filter and clears the <code>post_title</code> field for new uploads before they are saved to the database.</p>
<h3>Filters</h3>
<h4>runthings_emt_skip</h4>
<p>Skip clearing the title for specific attachments.</p>
<p><strong>Parameters:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><code>$skip</code> (bool) – Whether to skip clearing the title. Default false.</li>
<li><code>$data</code> (array) – Attachment post data (slashed, sanitized, processed).</li>
<li><code>$postarr</code> (array) – Sanitized post data (not processed).</li>
<li><code>$unsanitized_postarr</code> (array) – Unsanitized post data.</li>
<li><code>$update</code> (bool) – Whether this is an update (always false for new uploads).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Example:</strong></p>
<pre><code>// Skip clearing title for uploads by specific user
add_filter('runthings_emt_skip', function($skip, $data, $postarr) {
    if (get_current_user_id() === 1) {
        return true; // Admin keeps auto-generated titles
    }
    return $skip;
}, 10, 3);



// Skip clearing title if filename contains "keep-title"
add_filter('runthings_emt_skip', function($skip, $data, $postarr) {
    $filename = $postarr['post_title'] ?? '';
    if (strpos($filename, 'keep-title') !== false) {
        return true;
    }
    return $skip;
}, 10, 3);
</code></pre>
<h4>runthings_emt_mime_types</h4>
<p>Filter which MIME types should have their title cleared. By default, all media types are affected.</p>
<p><strong>Parameters:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><code>$allowed_mime_types</code> (array) – Array of MIME type patterns. Default <code>[]</code> (all types).</li>
<li><code>$attachment_mime_type</code> (string) – The attachment’s MIME type.</li>
<li><code>$postarr</code> (array) – Sanitized post data.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Example:</strong></p>
<pre><code>// Restrict to images only
add_filter('runthings_emt_mime_types', function($allowed_mime_types) {
    return ['image'];
});



// Restrict to images and PDFs only
add_filter('runthings_emt_mime_types', function($allowed_mime_types) {
    return ['image', 'application/pdf'];
});
</code></pre>
<h3>Additional Notes</h3>
<p>Built by Matthew Harris of runthings.dev, copyright 2022-2026.</p>
<p>Visit <a href="https://runthings.dev/" rel="nofollow ugc">runthings.dev</a> for more WordPress plugins and resources.</p>
<p>Contribute or report issues at the <a href="https://github.com/runthings-dev/runthings-empty-media-title" rel="nofollow ugc">GitHub repository</a>.</p>
<p>Insert space by Xinh Studio from Noun Project, https://thenounproject.com/browse/icons/term/insert-space/ (CC BY 3.0) – https://thenounproject.com/icon/insert-space-239543/</p>
<p>Image by David Khai from Noun Project, https://thenounproject.com/browse/icons/term/image/ (CC BY 3.0) – https://thenounproject.com/icon/image-661355/</p>


Clear Media Title On Upload

Clears the media title field on upload, instead of setting it to the slugified filename.

crossi72

ShadowsDweller

<p>Greatly improve your SEO: rename your media files with the “Phoenix Media Rename” plugin.</p>
<p>A complete guide to use and configure Phoenix Media Rename is available at <a href="https://www.eurosoftlab.com/en/phoenix-media-rename/" rel="nofollow ugc">Phoenix Media Rename official page</a></p>


Phoenix Media Rename

This plugin is focused specifically on doing one thing and doing it right - that is renaming the media files you absent-mindedly uploaded with some not SEO-friendly names.

Very simple to use!

The plugin author is responsive and receptive to the feedback which is the icing on the cake.

10/5 would recommend again!

Great plugin!

In the era of paid plugins and paid options this plugin is real refreshment. Thank you.

Simple and effective plugin


Does exactly what it says it will do in the simplest of ways.



I had a lot of images to rename and used the plugin on 200 image batches in the Media file list, and everything went well.



All file associations, thumbnails, Litespeed optimized images stayed intact.


Works perfectly

The Phoenix Media Rename plugin allows you to easily rename (and retitle) your media files, once uploaded.

Clear Media Title On Upload vs Phoenix Media Rename