WordPress bulk alt text
Bulk generate WordPress image alt text from a media export
WordPress image alt text cleanup gets annoying when the missing fields are spread across the Media Library. I do not want a plugin or site credentials just to validate that a batch workflow is worth using.
The simple version is better for now: export media IDs and image URLs, generate drafts in AltCaption, review the rows, then update WordPress through the path you already trust.
Quick answer
Export WordPress media IDs and image URLs, paste each row into AltCaption as mediaID plus a tab plus imageURL, review the generated rows, then copy WordPress-ready CSV or TSV with id, source_url, and alt_text.
Export media IDs and image URLs
Start with a spreadsheet or command output that has the attachment ID and the image URL. WordPress media records expose both the numeric id and source_url through the REST media endpoint, and the same records have an alt_text field.
If you already have a media export from a plugin, database query, REST script, or internal report, use that. AltCaption does not need WordPress login details. It only needs public image URLs so it can generate draft descriptions.
- Keep one image per row.
- Use the WordPress media ID when you want WordPress-ready output.
- Use the image URL alone when you only need generic TSV.
- Skip private or blocked images unless your server can expose a temporary public URL.
Paste the rows into AltCaption
On the bulk page, paste image URLs one per line as usual. For WordPress, paste each row as the media ID, a tab, then the image URL.
AltCaption sends the image URLs through the existing bulk generator and keeps the media IDs beside the results. The generic TSV output stays available, and WordPress CSV or TSV appears when at least one generated row has a media ID.
- Plain URL row is https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/shoe.jpg
- WordPress row is 1432<TAB>https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/shoe.jpg
- WordPress output columns: id, source_url, alt_text.
Review before updating WordPress
Generated alt text is a draft. I check product names, visible text, variants, and page context before I write it back to WordPress.
The alt text should describe what the image shows. W3C/WAI guidance treats decorative images differently, so I leave purely decorative images empty instead of inventing text. Google also recommends useful, descriptive alt text and warns against keyword stuffing.
- Fix obvious model mistakes before import.
- Remove keyword-stuffed wording.
- Leave decorative images out of the update batch.
- Keep meaningful product, chart, screenshot, and article images in the review queue.
Update through your own workflow
AltCaption stops at CSV and TSV in this pass. No WordPress auth, no REST writes, no plugin code, and no direct CMS integration.
That keeps the workflow easy to test. You can feed the reviewed rows into a small REST script, a WP-CLI command, or an import workflow. For WP-CLI, image alt text is stored as attachment post meta, commonly updated through the _wp_attachment_image_alt key.
- REST workflow: match by id, then update the media item alt_text.
- WP-CLI workflow: update attachment meta for each reviewed id.
- Import workflow: map id, source_url, and alt_text in the import tool you already use.
Examples
- Input row is 1432<TAB>https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/linen-shirt-sage.jpg
- Output CSV: id,source_url,alt_text
- WP-CLI shape: wp post meta update 1432 _wp_attachment_image_alt "Sage green linen shirt on a white background"
Common questions
Does AltCaption connect to WordPress?
No. This workflow is credential-free. Paste exported media IDs and public image URLs, then copy reviewed output back into your own WordPress update process.
Can I still paste one image URL per line?
Yes. The existing generic workflow stays the same. Media IDs only add the WordPress-ready CSV and TSV output.
Should I update every missing alt field?
No. Review the batch first. Meaningful images need useful alt text, while decorative images can stay empty.
Related guides
Generate alt text from an image
Upload an image, paste a URL, or use bulk generation when you have a list of image URLs.