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 is aimed at users who want to effectively organize their media files and optimize them for SEO purposes. What makes it particularly notable is the ability to automatically rename file and metadata such as titles, ALT text and descriptions while even offering AI-powered suggestions. This automation saves time and keeps media libraries organized, and is especially attractive to WordPress users who value efficient management of their media files. It also has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars 425 reviews in the official WordPress plugin store. The following paragraphs detail the full functionality the plugin offers.

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

Features - Comprehensive file management tools

The plugin offers a wide range of features beyond simple file renaming. In addition to automatic renaming that takes titles, ALT texts and descriptions into account, Media File Renamer offers broad compatibility with other WordPress features 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 makes it possible to keep ALT texts and titles 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 features of the free version

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

Pro-Features - Advanced features for professionals

• AI vision and suggestions for intelligent renaming - Uses AI to make better name suggestions.
• Anonymization of files - Provides additional privacy.
• Bulk moving of files - Allows moving multiple files between directories at once.
• Metadata synchronization - ALT texts and titles can be synchronized.
• Numbering of files - Better organization by 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 that covers basic features. For users who need advanced features such as AI-powered naming or file anonymization, there is a Pro version. It is appreciated for its good value for money, as the additional time savings justify the cost. Some users, however, state 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 savings justify the cost."

Technical details - Insights into operation and architecture

The Media File Renamer plugin works with a mix of database-driven operations and direct file system manipulations. 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 have been changed. The plugin's architecture allows moving large amounts of files across different directories, with a focus on the integrity of database entries. Additionally, the plugin is designed to handle various encoding types, making it robust against international characters and special characters. Developers appreciate the detailed processing of filenames performed 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, and it has been tested and is compatible up to WordPress version 6.8.3. The current plugin version number is 6.1.3, with the last update in 2025-09. 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 - Reliability and challenges in focus

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 inclusion of AI technology also represents an innovative facet, as it helps users get relevant and SEO-optimized suggestions for filenames. However, avoiding potential technical issues like broken image links upon uninstallation requires precautions, so an individual backup is always recommended. Performance with very large amounts of data is considered improvable by some users, which could be relevant for extensive WordPress database systems.

"[...] 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 the developer Jordy Meow. Support experiences range from prompt and successful problem resolution to cases where queries were not answered at all or only inadequately. 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 replied 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 425 reviews. This high rating reflects overall user satisfaction. The majority of users highlight how the plugin helps organize media files efficiently and thus facilitates SEO tasks.

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

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

At the same time there are negative feedbacks 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, however, again highlights the strengths, especially how the AI-powered suggestions simplify the workflow:

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

Overall, 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 suggestions for improvement in detail

Media File Renamer is criticized, especially when it comes to reliability and functionality. A common point of criticism concerns reports of faulty behavior that can cause significant problems for some users. For example, there are reports that the plugin messed up the website, and some features are only partially available without the Pro version. Another concern raised by users is the complicated user interface, which can make accessing important settings difficult.

Another serious issue mentioned is the system's dependence on the continuous installation of the plugin. Once it is uninstalled, extensive problems with image links can occur, which could endanger the database as well as the website. One feedback complained that upon uninstallation 900 image links no longer worked, which affected the integrity of the website and required extensive remediation.

Although security vulnerabilities have not been directly identified according to available information, the recommendation to take precautions such as creating backups before use is an indication that caution may be warranted when dealing with the plugin, especially in combination with other plugins that could interfere with the renaming process. Suggestions for improvement include a more user-friendly interface and reliable support for troubleshooting.

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

Conclusion - Overview of strengths and weaknesses

The Media File Renamer plugin, developed by Jordy Meow, offers a solid solution for optimizing media files in WordPress, particularly for SEO purposes. Its range of features, from simple renaming to AI-powered suggestions and metadata synchronization, provides a valuable resource for users who want order and efficiency in their media library. The positive reviews underscore 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 the plugin should be made carefully, especially when specific requirements or data volumes need to be considered. Despite some criticisms, Media File Renamer remains a valuable addition to many users' WordPress toolbox.