How to organize WordPress media library with folders or categories

Which is the WordPress media library where you upload and store all your images and media files. And as far as uploading and inserting images into posts goes, the WordPress media library is very functional. But here is the problem with the default WordPress media library:

How to organize WordPress media library with folders or categories

After you have uploaded a file, it is almost impossible this file again to find when you need it at a later date. So you end up wasting time either by tracking it down, or by uploading a new version.

Fortunately, a better way is there… With  two WordPress plugins, I will guide you through today help you to organize your media library, so that you can find files when you need them. This is ideal for anyone who regularly reuse always finds the same images.

That there are two ways of organizing your media library

To organize two major methods of WordPress’s media library. Each has advantages over the others. They are:

1. WordPress media folder – this method creates folder in your media library. Essentially, your media library works just like the folder under Windows or Mac OS. For this reason, this method for each user is easy to understand.
2. Taxonomies – this method applies categories/tags to your media files, so that you can filter by categories at a later date. It’s not as visually as a media folder, but it is stronger in my opinion.

Here is how your WordPress media library over both methods with free plug-ins to organize.

Add folder with media library plus

Media library plus is a free plugin, WordPress a separate library with folders added.

There is a warning – able be to insert images directly into your posts/pages, you need to purchase the pro version. the free version is good for the Organization, but you must manually copy the image URL to insert images in your posts.

With this out of the way, let us the plugin view. First, install and enable media library plus. As soon as a new enabled, you should see, “library +” tab . This tab contains all of the files within your regular media library. But it adds a new element:

Folder.

By default your media files are divided into folders by year and month in which they were uploaded:

To change this organization, you must first create a new folder:

Then, files between folders move all you have to do, is to drag the file , where you want it. It works just like your operating system folder:

There is only a difference.” By default, the plugin completely copies the image into the new folder, instead of having it. Because your URL to change is moving images between folders .

You can move images by “Copying the button ” to “move” but you have to very this be careful if you do, make sure, you move no picture that is already inserted in posts:

That’s all there is to it!” Can do as many folders and fill you create with images.

My absolute favorite of WordPress media folder plugin WP is “Media” folder. But because it costs $35 beginner blogger can possibly not to justify that much on their media library to organize. If you can afford it, I recommend taking a look to give.

Add categories/tags advanced media library

Improved media library has a different approach for organizing your media library. Instead of Visual folders add, can you add categories and subcategories to your images, (just like you do your posts!).

Once you install and activate the plugin, see a new tab under your media library media categories :

Click on this button, add to first steps, and some categories of media.” Such as a could add “commonly used” category for images, you need to regularly use again:

Now, if you display or upload a picture you the way to it to a category to add:

If you mark an image as part of a category , you’ll find it fast with the new category filter on the top of your media library page:

If you want to get more accurate with your categories, you can nest categories within another, by ‘parent’ create a category:

Like I said, this method is not Visual. But I think it is a powerful way to organize your media library. It is much faster to select a specific category from a drop down list, as it is to browse through many different folders.

Final thoughts

Most people like the idea of using folders to organize your media library because it is so familiar, who ever used a computer. And although folder still certainly an improvement over the default WordPress media library, I think you should first use the category method.

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