WP Plugin Media File Renamer
Test Report

Media File Renamer: Rename for better SEO (AI-Powered)

Media File Renamer, developed by Jordy Meow, was released on 2011-01-27 and has since established itself as a useful tool for optimizing the media library in WordPress. With over 40,000+ active installations, the plugin targets users who want to effectively organize their media files and optimize them for SEO purposes. What makes it particularly special is the ability to automatically rename files and metadata such as titles, ALT text, and descriptions, even offering AI-powered suggestions. This automation saves time and ensures organized media libraries, making it especially attractive for WordPress users who value efficient management of their media files. It has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 424 reviews in the official WordPress Plugin Store. The following paragraphs detail the full functionalities the plugin offers.

"This plugin saves a lot of time and is perfect for SEO."

Features - Comprehensive tools for file management

The plugin offers a wide range of features that go beyond simple file renaming. In addition to automatic renaming including titles, ALT texts, and descriptions, Media File Renamer provides extensive compatibility with other WordPress functions and plugins. This compatibility also extends to Retina and WebP images as well as PDF thumbnails. Another notable feature is support for metadata synchronization, which allows ALT texts and titles to be kept consistent.

"I use Media File Renamer Pro for every SEO project! Surprisingly, it also helps redirect old image URLs to the new ones it created."

Free Features - Basic functions of the free version

• Automatic renaming of media files - Assigns new, better names for SEO and organization.
• Manual changes possible - Users can adjust the names of media files themselves.
• Support for various image formats - Compatible with Retina, WebP, and PDF thumbnails.

Pro Features - Advanced functions for professionals

• AI Vision and suggestions for intelligent renaming - Uses AI to make better name suggestions.
• Anonymization of files - Provides additional privacy protection.
• Bulk moving of files - Allows simultaneous moving of multiple files between directories.
• Synchronization of metadata - ALT texts and titles can be synchronized.
• Numbering of files - Better organization through numbering files.

"The Pro version has everything needed to get things done right."

License & value for money - Free use with optional extensions

Media File Renamer offers a free version covering basic functions. For users needing advanced features like AI-powered naming or file anonymization, there is a Pro version. It is appreciated for its good value for money since the additional time savings justify the cost. However, some users mention that the free version is limited in certain functions, which poses a challenge for those who do not want to use the Pro version.

"The value for money is described as good because the time saved justifies the cost."

Technical details - Insights into functionality and architecture

The Media File Renamer plugin works with a mix of database-driven operations and direct manipulation of the file system. A core feature is the ability to efficiently update database entries regarding media files and their metadata such as titles, ALT text, and descriptions. This ensures that references within the WordPress system remain consistent even after filenames are changed. The plugin's architecture allows moving large amounts of files across different directories with a focus on maintaining database entry integrity. Additionally, the plugin is designed to handle various encoding types, making it robust against international characters and special symbols. Developers appreciate the detailed processing of filenames executed with AI support, where intelligent suggestions are made based on metadata.

System requirements - Compatibility and requirements at a glance

The plugin requires at least PHP version 7.4 or higher to ensure stable and secure operation. The minimum WordPress requirement is version 6.0, with testing and compatibility up to WordPress version 6.8.2. The current plugin version number is 6.1.2, with the last update in 2025-08. These requirements ensure that the plugin remains compatible with both older and the latest technological standards of WordPress.

"The plugin provides full support for the latest WordPress versions and ensures smooth operation with current web standards."

Quality - Focus on reliability and challenges

The quality of the Media File Renamer plugin is evident in its ability to promote order and efficiency within the WordPress media library. Users report that the plugin significantly improves file structure organization by intelligently updating filenames and synchronizing them with alt text and title information. The integration of AI technology also represents an innovative aspect as it helps users receive relevant and SEO-optimized suggestions for filenames. However, avoiding potential technical issues such as broken image links upon uninstallation requires precautions, so an individual backup is always recommended. Performance with very large data volumes is seen by some users as improvable, which could be relevant for extensive database systems in WordPress applications.

"[...] This plugin was extremely helpful and saved me a lot of time [...]."

Support - User experiences and availability

Support for the Media File Renamer plugin is rated differently by users. Many praise the quick response time as well as the friendliness and helpfulness of developer Jordy Meow. Support experiences range from prompt and successful problem resolution to cases where inquiries were not answered or only insufficiently addressed. Two main channels are available for support: the official support forum on WordPress and the developer's direct support page.

"I had some issues and wrote an unfriendly support ticket. To his credit, Jordy responded very kindly. He addressed my problem and also responded to my side concerns."

Rating - A collection of opinions and experiences

The WordPress plugin Media File Renamer has an impressive average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on 424 reviews. This high rating reflects general user satisfaction. The majority of users highlight how the plugin helps efficiently organize media files and thus facilitates SEO tasks.

A positive aspect frequently mentioned is the time savings the plugin offers. One user emphasizes:

"An essential plugin for SEO optimizations that saves me a lot of time."

At the same time, there is also negative feedback that should not be ignored. Critics occasionally complain that the plugin does not always work as expected and that in some cases the renaming processes can be faulty:

"Unfortunately, some functions do not always work reliably."

Another positive feedback again highlights the strengths, especially how the AI-powered suggestions facilitate the workflow:

"It offers intelligent suggestions that have significantly simplified my work."

Overall, it appears that the majority of users are satisfied with the plugin, with the positive aspects outweighing the negatives. However, challenges remain and should be considered when making decisions.

Criticism - Problems and improvement suggestions in detail

Media File Renamer is under criticism, especially regarding reliability and functionality. A frequent point of criticism concerns complaints about faulty functionalities that can cause significant problems for some users. For example, there are reports that the plugin messed up the website, and some functions are only partially available without the Pro version. Another concern expressed by users is the complicated user interface, which can make access to important settings difficult.

Another serious issue raised is the system's dependency on the continuous installation of the plugin. Once it is uninstalled, extensive problems with image links can occur, which could endanger both the database and the website. One feedback complained that upon uninstallation 900 image links no longer worked, which impaired the integrity of the website and required extensive rework.

Although security vulnerabilities have not been directly identified according to available information, the recommendation to take precautions such as backups before use indicates that caution may be warranted when dealing with the plugin, especially in combination with other plugins that could interfere with the renaming process. Improvement suggestions include a more user-friendly interface and reliable support in case of problems.

"I have more than 10 years of experience with WordPress and never expected a plugin to mess up my website like this."

Conclusion - Strengths and weaknesses at a glance

The Media File Renamer plugin, developed by Jordy Meow, offers a solid solution for optimizing media files in WordPress, especially for SEO purposes. Its range of functions, from simple renaming to AI-powered suggestions and metadata synchronization, represents a valuable resource for users who want to achieve order and efficiency in their media library. The positive reviews underline the general usefulness and time savings the plugin provides.

Nevertheless, there are also challenges, particularly regarding potential complications during uninstallation and sometimes inconsistent functionality. For more advanced users, a Pro version is available offering extended features and better control. The choice of plugin should be made carefully, especially if special requirements or data volumes need to be considered. Despite some criticisms, Media File Renamer remains a valuable addition to many users' WordPress toolbox.