=== Auto Featured Image (Auto Post Thumbnail) ===
Contributors: themeisle
Tags: post thumbnails, featured image, auto featured image, thumbnails, featured image from title
Requires at least: 5.6
Tested up to: 7.0
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 5.0.4
License: GPLv2
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Automatically generate, assign, and manage featured images in bulk so every post on your site has a featured image.

== Description ==

Auto Featured Image automatically fixes missing featured images and thumbnails across your WordPress site.

Generate featured images from post titles, extract images from post content, or bulk assign thumbnails using advanced filters and scheduling — all in just a few clicks.

It works seamlessly with Gutenberg, Elementor, Classic Editor, and any custom post type.

No more manual uploads. No more posts going live without featured images.

With Auto Featured Image, you can:

- Generate featured images in bulk
- Create dynamic images from post titles
- Detect and assign images already inside post content
- Automatically apply default fallback images
- Set advanced filters and control generation rules
- Schedule bulk image generation

Whether you run a small blog or manage thousands of posts, Auto Featured Image saves hours of repetitive work and keeps your website visually consistent — automatically.

## ⚡ Quick Links

- [Support Forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/auto-post-thumbnail/)
- [Documentation](https://docs.themeisle.com/category/2453-installation-and-setup)
- [Compare Free vs Pro](https://themeisle.com/plugins/auto-featured-image/upgrade/?utm_source=plugin-readme&utm_medium=afi&utm_campaign=compare#free-vs-pro)
- [Go Pro](https://themeisle.com/plugins/auto-featured-image/upgrade/?utm_source=plugin-readme&utm_medium=afi&utm_campaign=quick-links)

## 🚀 How It Works

### Step 1: Choose a Generation Method

Select how featured images should be created:

- Find in post – Uses the first image found inside the content.
- Generate from title – Creates a featured image dynamically using the post title.
- Find or generate – Uses existing images, otherwise generates one.
- Find or use default image – Falls back to a predefined image if none is found.

### Step 2: Filter Your Posts

Apply filters to control exactly where images should be generated:

- Post Type
- Post Status
- Post Category
- Date Range

This ensures you only modify the content you intend to.

### Step 3: Generate in One Click

Click **Generate Featured Images** and the plugin:

- Processes posts in bulk
- Shows real-time progress
- Logs the last 100 generated images
- Updates thumbnails instantly in the posts list

## 🔥 Core Features (Free Version)

✅ **Bulk Generate Featured Images:** Automatically create and assign featured images to multiple posts at once. Perfect for fixing older content in minutes instead of hours.

✅ **Find Images Inside Content:** Automatically detect the first image inside a post and set it as the featured image. Ideal for blogs that already include images but missed setting thumbnails.

✅ **Generate from Title:** Create clean, text-based featured images using the post title. Great for minimal blogs, news sites, and content-heavy websites.

✅ **Default Fallback Image:** Set a default image that will be applied whenever no suitable image is found, ensuring every post always has a featured image.

✅ **One-Click Generation:** Generate featured images for all selected posts instantly from a single dashboard screen.

✅ **Generation Log:** Monitor recently generated images with preview, size, generation method, and status for full transparency and control.

✅ **Live Preview Mode:** Instantly see how your featured image will look while adjusting background, font, alignment, colors, and layout settings. No need to save and regenerate repeatedly.

✅ **Posts List Integration:** Generate, set, or remove featured images directly from the WordPress Posts screen using bulk actions. Manage multiple posts at once without opening each post individually.

## 💎 Auto Featured Image Pro

[Upgrade](https://themeisle.com/plugins/auto-featured-image/upgrade/?utm_source=plugin-readme&utm_medium=afi&utm_campaign=pro-section) to unlock full control and automation power

### [PRO] Smart Filters & Targeting 

Generate featured images exactly where and when you need them:

- Filter by post status, category, or date range
- Target specific post types
- Schedule generation automatically

### [PRO] Advanced Background Controls

Design featured images that match your brand:

- Gradient background support
- Upload custom background images

### [PRO] Typography & Layout Controls

Full control over how your title-based images look:

- Use Google Fonts
- Upload custom font files
- Horizontal text alignment
- Vertical text alignment
- Custom before/after string text
- Custom padding

### [PRO] External Image Integration

Find images without leaving your dashboard:

- Search and select images directly from Unsplash
- Search and select images from Pixabay

### [PRO] Import & Automation

Scale your workflow:

- Automatically upload external images to Media Library
- Schedule featured image generation
- Advanced post type targeting

## 🧩 Use Cases

### Fix Missing Thumbnails
Clean up old blogs or imported content that lacks featured images.

### Affiliate & Content Sites
Automatically generate branded thumbnails from titles.

### High-Volume Publishing
Use filters and scheduling to automate thumbnail generation at scale.

Auto Featured Image is developed and maintained by [Themeisle](https://themeisle.com/), a company trusted by over 1 million WordPress users worldwide.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

**What is Auto Featured Image used for?**  
It automatically sets featured images for posts and pages in bulk.

**Does it work with any WordPress theme?**  
Yes. It works with any theme that supports featured images.

**Can I generate featured images from post titles?**  
Yes. Both Free and Pro versions allow generating images from titles. Pro adds advanced styling options.

**Can I filter which posts are modified?**  
Yes. [Pro](https://themeisle.com/plugins/auto-featured-image/upgrade/?utm_source=plugin-readme&utm_medium=afi&utm_campaign=pro-faq) allows filtering by status, category, and date range.

**Is scheduling available?**  
Yes, scheduling is available in the [Pro](https://themeisle.com/plugins/auto-featured-image/upgrade/?utm_source=plugin-readme&utm_medium=afi&utm_campaign=pro-faq) version.

== Installation ==

This section describes how to install the plugin and get it working.

1. Upload the plugin files to the `/wp-content/plugins/plugin-name` directory, or install the plugin through the WordPress plugins screen directly.
2. Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' screen in WordPress
3. Use the Settings->APT - disable unused features screen to configure the plugin

== Screenshots ==

1. Dashboard overview with coverage and generation controls.
2. Filter posts by type, status, category, and date range.
3. Generate featured images from post titles.
4. Bulk actions integration inside the Posts list.
5. Unsplash and Pixabay integration inside the Media modal.
6. Edit featured images directly from the Posts list.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= How to report a security issue? =
 
Plugin security is a core priority for us. If you identify a potential vulnerability, we ask that you disclose it responsibly.

Please follow the reporting protocols outlined on our [Security Page](https://themeisle.com/security/).

== Changelog ==

#####   Version 5.0.4 (2026-05-22)

- Enhanced security
- Added fix to render root element only when image containers exist




[See changelog for all versions](https://store.themeisle.com/changelog/Auto+Featured+Image+Pro/).
