Do you want to add the title attribute to images in WordPress?
The title attribute allows you to provide additional information about each image. This helps screen readers and search engines understand what the image is about, which is great for accessibility and SEO.
In this article, we’ll show you how to easily add title attributes to images in WordPress.
What is the Title Attribute in Images?
Web crawlers, bots, and screen reading devices can’t actually see your images. Instead, they see HTML such as:
<img src="/path/to/image/fruits.jpg" width="100" height="100" />
Most of the time, this code doesn’t help accessibility tools and search engines understand what the image is about.
That’s why we recommend adding a title tag to your images.
A helpful, relevant title tag will help accessibility tools such as screen readers understand the context of an image, which will improve the visitor experience and make your WordPress website more accessible.
Search engines such as Google also use title tags to index your images correctly and then show them to people who are searching for content just like yours. For example:
<img src="/path/to/image/fruits.jpg" width="100" height="100" alt="A fruit basket" title="Fruit Basket" />
When you hover your mouse over the image, the title attribute appears in a popup. Screen readers will also read the title out loud, which is helpful for visitors who have problems with their vision.
You can also add an alternate tag attribute, which describes what the image is. WordPress will display the alternative tag if it can’t show the actual image, for example due to a slow Internet connection or a WordPress error.
If this happens, visitors will see a little image icon with the alternative tag next to it.
By adding title tags and alternative text to your images, you can improve your image SEO and increase your blog traffic. You can also provide a better experience once people get to your WordPress blog or website, particuarly if they’re using accessibility tools.
With that being said, let’s see how you can add title attributes in WordPress. Simply use the quick links below to jump to the method you want to use.
Method 1. Adding Title Attribute to Images Using the Block Editor
You can add alt text and title attributes to any image in the WordPress content editor. Simply go to Posts » Add New and create a post.
Then click on the ‘+’ icon, and select the ‘image’ block to add an image to the post or page.
You can now either choose an image from the media library or upload an image from your computer. No matter what option you choose, make sure you click to select the image in the media library.
You can now add alternative text by typing into the ‘Title’ field.
There’s also a ‘Title’ field, but this is the title that WordPress uses to show images in your media library. This can help you find the right image in the media library, so we recommend adding a title to this field.
However, this is not the kind of title tag that will make your site more accessible and improve your WordPress SEO.
To add this kind of title tag, you’ll need to go ahead and add the image to your page or post, as normal. Then, click to expand the ‘Advanced’ section in the right-hand menu.
This has a ‘Title attribute’ field, which is the true title tag.
Simply type the information you want to use into the field.
You can now go ahead and click on ‘Update’ or ‘Publish’ to make your changes live.
Now, simply hover your mouse over the image and you’ll see a popup containing your title tag.
Method 2. Add Title Attribute to Images Using WordPress Classic Editor
If you’re using the older classic editor, then the process of adding a title attribute is slightly different. In the classic editor, click the ‘Add Media’ button and select your image.
Now, either upload a new image or choose an image from the media library. You can then add the alt text and a title using the fields towards the right of the media library.
Once again, keep in mind that ‘Title’ is used internally by WordPress, and is not the true title tag that can improve SEO and accessibility.
When you’re ready, click the ‘Insert into post’ button.
From there, click to select your image and then select the little pencil icon. This will bring up the ‘Image Details’ popup.
Simply click to expand the ‘Advanced Options’ section and then type the title tag into the ‘Image Title Attribute’ field.
Don’t forget to click on the ‘Update’ button to save your changes.
You can now go ahead publish the page or post, to make the image alt text and title tag live.
We hope this article helped you easily add the title attribute to images in WordPress. You may also want to look at our ultimate guide on how to boost WordPress speed and performance and our expert pick of the best WordPress SEO tools and plugins you should use.
If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.
Dave says
How do I change the html title for existing images on the website?
WPBeginner Support says
You would be able to go back and edit the title by editing the post.
Admin
Rubb says
“Restore Image Title” is not available anymore
WPBeginner Support says
Thank you for letting us know, we’ll be sure to look into updating this article as we are able
Admin
Rubb says
Thanks, hope someone will create plugin or share the code
Roshni says
Thank you for the explanation.
Message on wordpress site for this plugin “This plugin was closed on December 24, 2018 and is no longer available for download. Reason: Guideline Violation.”
Is there a substitute available?
WPBeginner Support says
While we don’t have a recommendation at the moment, we will be sure to take a look for alternatives.
Admin
Ehsan says
thanks for this great article !
Diana Auerhammer says
Like it!! Now, I have to decide if I will go back and fix old images.
Miha says
Is there a way to add tite tags to all old pics?
Daniel says
This method does not appear to work images in WP galleries.
Hansjörg Leichsenring says
Is there a way to add titel tags to “old” pics already in the media?