AI Featured Image Generator with Output Control vs Auto Featured Image (Auto Post Thumbnail)

AI Featured Image Generator lets you create AI-powered featured images right from the WordPress editor. Hit “Generate Featured Image” on any post, and the plugin uses your chosen AI provider (OpenAI, Stability AI, or Grok/xAI, all free, or Google Gemini on Pro) to generate a unique image based on your post title, chosen style, and an optional custom prompt. You can also choose whether to allow text on the generated image or keep it text-free. Every generated image automatically gets alt text set in the WordPress media library, improving SEO and accessibility without any extra work. You can configure the alt text source (post title, prompt, or a custom template with placeholders like {title}, {style}, and {site_name}), or turn it off entirely from the General settings tab. Free users get a Bulk Generate tab to create featured images for up to 5 posts per batch (50 images lifetime), plus the AI Image Generator block for adding inline images directly inside the Gutenberg editor. Pro users unlock unlimited bulk generation, advanced filters, Gemini support, image upscaling, and background removal. Everything is managed from one settings hub. Video Walkthrough Free Features 4 AI Providers: Choose from OpenAI, Stability AI, and Grok/xAI, all available on the free plan. Google Gemini is Pro only OpenAI Integration: Generate images using OpenAI’s image generation API Multiple AI Models (OpenAI): Choose from GPT Image 2 (newest, default), ChatGPT Image Latest (auto-updated), GPT Image 1.5, GPT Image 1 (Standard), and GPT Image 1 Mini (budget-friendly). GPT Image 2 excels at text rendering, visual reasoning, and complex multi-object scenes Stability AI Integration: Generate images using Stability AI’s Stable Image Core model, great for photorealistic and artistic images 16 Stability Style Presets: Native API-level style presets including Photographic, Cinematic, Anime, Digital Art, Comic Book, Fantasy Art, 3D Model, Analog Film, Enhance, Isometric, Line Art, Low Poly, Neon Punk, Origami, Pixel Art, and Tile Texture Grok / xAI Integration: Generate images using Grok Imagine Image, the fastest and most affordable option at just $0.02 per image Custom Prompts: Fine-tune results with your own prompt input Generate Prompt from Content: One click generates an AI-optimized image prompt from your post title and body, with no manual writing needed. Works with OpenAI and Grok (free) and Google Gemini (Pro). The generated prompt is saved to the post and pre-filled in the Custom Prompt field so you can review or edit it before generating the image 13 Style Presets: Common (None, Realistic, Artistic, Cartoon, Minimalist) and Creative (Sketch, Watercolor, 3D Render, Pixel Art, Cyberpunk, Fantasy, Anime, Technicolor) 7 Image Sizes (OpenAI, GPT Image 2): Square 1024×1024, Portrait 1024×1536, Landscape 1536×1024, Widescreen 1792×1024 (16:9), Vertical 1024×1792 (9:16), Ultra-wide 1920×640 (3:1), and Tall Banner 640×1920 (1:3). Older OpenAI models support the first three sizes. 3 Aspect Ratios (Stability AI, free): 1:1, 16:9, and 9:16 3 Aspect Ratios (Grok, free): 1:1, 16:9, and 9:16 Output Formats (OpenAI): WebP (default), PNG, or JPEG Output Format (Stability AI): PNG (default) Output Format (Grok): JPEG (default); WebP available on Pro Output Compression (OpenAI): File-size slider from 1 to 100 for WebP/JPEG output (PNG is lossless) Generation Quality (OpenAI): Low, Medium, or High to trade speed/cost against output detail Transparent Backgrounds (OpenAI, GPT Image 2): Generate PNGs with no background for logos, product shots, and compositing Moderation Control (OpenAI, GPT Image 2): Choose between auto (standard filtering) and low (for approved accounts that need relaxed moderation) Text Rendering (OpenAI, GPT Image 2): Generates clear, correctly spelled text inside images across multiple languages, ideal for banners, quotes, and labelled diagrams Visual Reasoning (OpenAI, GPT Image 2): Processes prompts logically before generating, improving accuracy for complex or multi-step scene descriptions Multi-object Scenes (OpenAI, GPT Image 2): Handles detailed environments with multiple subjects without objects overlapping or merging incorrectly High Resolution (OpenAI, GPT Image 2): Supports up to 4K output and 7 flexible aspect ratios including widescreen (16:9), vertical (9:16), ultra-wide (3:1), and tall banner (1:3) Mask-based Editing (OpenAI, GPT Image 2): GPT Image 2 supports precise, mask-based image editing for targeted changes, enabling you to modify specific areas while leaving the rest intact Text Control: Allow or disallow text, captions, or words in generated images Auto Alt Text: Automatically sets alt text on all AI-generated images for better SEO and accessibility. Choose from post title, generation prompt, or a custom template with {title}, {prompt}, {style}, and {site_name} placeholders. Option to preserve manually edited alt text when regenerating images SEO-Friendly Filenames: Images use your post title for better organization and SEO Bulk Generate (Limited): Up to 5 posts per batch, 50 images lifetime, filtered by post status. Includes option to auto-generate a prompt from each post’s content before image creation Generate from Post List: A new “AI Featured Image” column on the Posts/Pages admin list shows the current featured-image thumbnail and a one-click Generate Image / Regenerate Image link. Create or replace featured images for any post without opening it in the editor. The prompt is auto-built from the post title and content, and all your global provider, style, size, and format settings are respected. Does not count against the free bulk-generation limit. Inline Images (Gutenberg Block): Add AI-generated images anywhere in your content using the AI Image Generator block, right inside the editor. Supports the same providers, styles, and aspect ratios as featured images Inline Image Settings: Dedicated tab for configuring inline image defaults per provider Multisite Support: Fully compatible with WordPress multisite Pro Features 🚀 Google Gemini Support: Access Google’s AI image generation with multiple models: Nano Banana (Gemini 2.5 Flash), Nano Banana 2 Preview (Gemini 3.1 Flash, higher resolutions), and Nano Banana Pro (Gemini 3 Pro, premium quality) Image Upscaling (Stability AI): Upscale your existing featured image using Stability AI with three modes: Conservative (faithful 4x upscale), Creative (AI-enhanced 4K), and Fast (quick 4x). Accessible directly from the post editor Background Removal (Stability AI): One-click background removal on your existing featured image, powered by Stability AI. Saves the result as a new PNG attachment and sets it as the featured image Stability AI Advanced Models: Stable Image Ultra (best quality), SD 3.5 Large, SD 3.5 Large Turbo (fast), SD 3.5 Medium, SD 3.5 Flash, SD 3 Large, SD 3 Large Turbo, SD 3 Medium, and SDXL 1.0 (legacy) Negative Prompts (Stability AI): Describe elements to exclude from generated images, e.g. “blurry, watermark, text, low quality” Stability AI Output Format (Pro): Choose PNG, JPEG, or WebP for Stability AI generated images WebP for Gemini & Grok (Pro): Automatically convert Google Gemini and Grok/xAI images to lightweight, SEO-friendly WebP after generation. WebP is the recommended default for Pro; if a server can’t encode WebP, the image is saved in its original format and you’re notified with the reason 9 Aspect Ratios (Stability AI): 1:1, 16:9, 21:9, 2:3, 3:2, 4:5, 5:4, 9:16, and 9:21 Grok Imagine Image Pro: Higher quality Grok model at $0.07 per image 9 Aspect Ratios (Grok): 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 3:4, 3:2, 2:3, 2:1, and 1:2 Grok 2K Resolution: Generate higher resolution images with Grok for sharper results Bulk Generate (Unlimited): Generate for hundreds of posts at once with filters for post type, status, date range, and thumbnail status. Select individual posts or all, with real-time progress tracking. Option to auto-generate a content-based prompt for each post before image creation, with prompts saved to each post for review Custom Post Types: Enable image generation for any custom post type, not just posts and pages 10 Aspect Ratios (Gemini): 1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 3:4, 4:3, 4:5, 5:4, 9:16, 16:9, 21:9 Higher Resolutions (Gemini): Up to 4K with supported Gemini models Custom Styles: Create named styles with custom prompt descriptions that appear in all style dropdowns Want to unlock Google Gemini AI, image upscaling, background removal, unlimited bulk generation and more? Upgrade to Pro here. Requirements WordPress 5.8 or higher PHP 7.4 or higher At least one AI provider API key: OpenAI API key (free plan) Stability AI API key (free plan), get one at platform.stability.ai Grok/xAI API key (free plan), get one at console.x.ai Google Gemini API key (Pro plan only) External Services This plugin connects to external AI services to generate AI-powered images for your WordPress posts and pages. Free users can choose between OpenAI, Stability AI, and Grok/xAI to generate both featured images and inline images (via the Gutenberg block). Pro users can also use Google Gemini. Stability AI is additionally used by Pro users for image upscaling and background removal. OpenAI Service (Free & Pro) When using OpenAI as your provider: – Your post title and content are sent to OpenAI’s API when you generate a featured image – When generating inline images, your custom prompt is sent to the API – Any custom prompt you provide is sent to the API – Your OpenAI API key is used for authentication with each request – Image generation requests are sent to OpenAI’s servers when you click the “Generate Featured Image” button or generate inline images using the Gutenberg block – When using “Generate Prompt from Content”, your post title and body are sent to OpenAI’s chat API (gpt-4o-mini) to generate an image prompt Service Provider: OpenAI – Terms of Service – Privacy Policy – API Documentation Google Gemini Service (Pro only) When using Google Gemini as your provider: – Your post title and content are sent to Google’s Gemini API when you generate a featured image – When generating inline images, your custom prompt is sent to the API – Any custom prompt you provide is sent to the API – Your Google Gemini API key is used for authentication with each request – Image generation requests are sent to Google’s servers when you click the “Generate Featured Image” button or generate inline images using the Gutenberg block – When using “Generate Prompt from Content” (Pro), your post title and body are sent to Google’s Gemini API (Gemini 2.5 Flash) to generate an image prompt Service Provider: Google AI (Gemini) – Terms of Service – Privacy Policy – API Documentation Stability AI Service (Free & Pro) When using Stability AI as your provider: – Your post title and content are sent to Stability AI’s API when you generate a featured image – When generating inline images, your custom prompt is sent to the API – Any custom prompt or negative prompt you provide is sent to the API – Your Stability AI API key is used for authentication with each request – Image generation, upscaling, and background removal requests are sent to Stability AI’s servers Pro users can also use Stability AI’s upscale and background removal tools. These send your existing featured image file to Stability AI’s servers for processing. Service Provider: Stability AI – Terms of Service – Privacy Policy – API Documentation Grok / xAI Service (Free & Pro) When using Grok as your provider: – Your post title and content are sent to xAI’s API when you generate a featured image – When generating inline images, your custom prompt is sent to the API – Any custom prompt you provide is sent to the API – Your xAI API key is used for authentication with each request – Image generation requests are sent to xAI’s servers when you click the “Generate Featured Image” button or generate inline images using the Gutenberg block – When using “Generate Prompt from Content”, your post title and body are sent to xAI’s chat API (grok-3-mini) to generate an image prompt Service Provider: xAI (Grok) – Terms of Service – Privacy Policy – API Documentation Data Usage: – Your post content and prompts are processed by the selected AI provider’s models to generate images – Generated images are stored in your WordPress media library – No personal data is stored by the providers beyond what’s necessary for API processing – You are responsible for ensuring your content complies with the selected provider’s usage policies

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 Documentation Compare Free vs Pro Go Pro 🚀 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 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, a company trusted by over 1 million WordPress users worldwide.