---
title: How to Automatically Generate Image ALT Text and Titles
description: Generate WordPress image ALT text and media titles automatically from the same naming rules as filenames. Pro.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/automatically-generate-image-alt-text-and-titles/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: Pro Features
---

# How to Automatically Generate Image ALT Text and Titles

Beyond renaming files, [Rename Media Files: Improve Your WordPress SEO](https://wpfactory.com/item/file-renaming-on-upload-wordpress-plugin/) Pro can populate an image's ALT attribute and media title automatically, based on the same naming logic. This saves you from filling those fields by hand and keeps your media metadata consistent. Both features live on the **General Settings** tab under **WPFactory > File Renaming**.

### ALT attribute method

The **Alt attribute** option (`change_image_alt_method`) is a radio setting that controls how the ALT text is generated. Its default is `default_mechanism`. Once enabled, the sub-options below decide when the ALT text is written and how it is formatted.

### Media title method

The **Media title** option (`change_media_title_method`) is a radio setting that controls how the media title is generated, also defaulting to `default_mechanism`. It has its own set of sub-options that mirror the ALT text controls.

### Options

| Label | Option ID | Type | Default | Free/Pro |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Alt attribute (method) | `change_image_alt_method` | Radio | `default_mechanism` | Pro |
| Update alt on new attachment upload | `update_on_new_attachment` | Checkbox | On | Pro |
| Update alt on filename update | `update_on_filename_update` | Checkbox | Off | Pro |
| Replace separator by whitespace (alt) | `alt_separator_whitespaces` | Checkbox | Off | Pro |
| Media title (method) | `change_media_title_method` | Radio | `default_mechanism` | Pro |
| Update title on new attachment upload | `update_media_title_on_new_attachment` | Checkbox | On | Pro |
| Update title on filename update | `update_media_title_on_filename_update` | Checkbox | Off | Pro |
| Replace separator by whitespace (title) | `title_separator_whitespaces` | Checkbox | Off | Pro |
| Get natural string | `get_natural_string` | Checkbox | Off | Pro |

### Choosing when metadata is written

By default, `update_on_new_attachment` and `update_media_title_on_new_attachment` are on, so ALT text and titles are set when a file is first uploaded. Turn on `update_on_filename_update` and `update_media_title_on_filename_update` if you also want the metadata refreshed whenever a filename is later updated. The separator sub-options (`alt_separator_whitespaces` and `title_separator_whitespaces`) replace the rule separator character with spaces so the resulting text reads naturally, and `get_natural_string` further tidies the media title into a more readable string.

### Ready to set this up?

This is a Pro feature of [Rename Media Files](https://wpfactory.com/item/file-renaming-on-upload-wordpress-plugin/). If you are still on the free version, upgrading unlocks this along with the rest of the Pro toolkit. [Get Rename Media Files Pro](https://wpfactory.com/item/file-renaming-on-upload-wordpress-plugin/).

Related articles

- [Automatically Imported Images Not Renamed](https://wpfactory.com/docs/automatically-imported-images-not-renamed/)
- [Uploaded Media Gets Blank Filename When Post Title Is Empty](https://wpfactory.com/docs/media-blank-filename-post-title-empty/)
- [How to Restrict File Renaming by User Role or Post Type](https://wpfactory.com/docs/restrict-file-renaming-by-user-role-or-post-type/)
- [How to Rename Files by Custom Field or Taxonomy](https://wpfactory.com/docs/rename-files-by-custom-field-or-taxonomy/)
- [How to Bulk Rename Existing Media Files](https://wpfactory.com/docs/bulk-rename-existing-media-files/)