When migrating content to a new WordPress site using the WordPress Importer plugin, one common issue many users face is missing images. The imported posts often show broken image links, leaving your website looking incomplete and unprofessional.
But don’t worry—there are powerful solutions to not only fix this issue but also bulk-generate featured images for thousands of posts in just a few hours. This guide will walk you through multiple ways to solve this problem efficiently.
Why Images Fail to Import During WordPress Migration?
Before jumping into solutions, let’s understand why images don’t import properly:
- Broken Links: The source URL of the images might no longer exist or be inaccessible.
- Incomplete Export File: The exported XML file may not include all image references.
- Plugin Limitations: The WordPress Importer plugin sometimes fails to fetch media files, especially for bulk imports.
To fix this, we’ll cover two highly effective methods using tools like Magic Featured Image and FIFU (Featured Image from URL) Premium Plugin.
Solution 1: Automatically Fetch Images from Google with Magic Featured Image
If you don’t have access to the original image files or want to replace missing images altogether, Magic Featured Image is your best bet. This plugin allows you to automatically fetch and set featured images for posts directly from Google.
Key Benefits of Magic Featured Image
- Bulk-generate featured images for thousands of posts.
- Fetch relevant images from Google automatically based on post titles or keywords.
- Save hours of manual work.
How to Use Magic Featured Image to Generate Bulk Images?
- Install the Plugin
- Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search for Magic Featured Image.
- Install and activate the plugin.
- Set Up Keywords for Each Post
- The plugin uses post titles, keywords, or tags to search for relevant images on Google. Ensure your posts have descriptive titles or meta information.
- Bulk Generate Images
- Navigate to Magic Featured Image > Bulk Generate.
- Select the posts for which you want to fetch images (you can select all).
- Click on Run Bulk Generate.
- Time Required
- Magic Featured Image can generate featured images for 2,000–4,000 posts in 3–4 hours. The speed depends on your hosting server and internet connection.
Pro Tip:
Make sure to verify the images fetched for accuracy and appropriateness. You can manually edit or replace any mismatched images after the bulk process is complete.
Solution 2: Generate Featured Images with FIFU Premium Plugin
Another powerful option is the Featured Image from URL (FIFU) Premium Plugin. This plugin automatically sets the first image URL in your post as the featured image. It’s incredibly fast and can process thousands of posts in just minutes.
Key Benefits of FIFU Premium Plugin
- Automatically fetches featured images for all posts with just one click.
- Supports bulk operations for 1,000+ posts in under 10 seconds.
- Works perfectly for posts that already have image URLs included in the content.
How to Use FIFU Premium Plugin for Bulk Featured Images?
- Install the Plugin
- Purchase and download the FIFU Premium Plugin from the official website.
- Upload it to your WordPress site via Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
- Configure FIFU Settings
- Go to Settings > FIFU and set the plugin to use the first image URL in the post content as the featured image.
- You can also customize other options, such as image quality and fallback URLs.
- Run Bulk Featured Image Generation
- Navigate to FIFU > Tools > Run for All Posts.
- Click on the button, and the plugin will process all your posts, setting the first image in each post as the featured image.
- Time Required
- FIFU can generate featured images for 2,000 posts in less than 10 seconds, making it one of the fastest solutions available.
Which Method Should You Choose?
Plugin | Best For | Speed | Key Feature |
---|---|---|---|
Magic Featured Image | Generating images for posts without existing image URLs | 3–4 hours for 2k–4k posts | Fetches images from Google based on keywords |
FIFU Premium Plugin | Using existing image URLs as featured images | 10 seconds for 2k posts | Converts first image URL in post content to featured image |
If your posts already have image URLs embedded in the content, FIFU Premium Plugin is the fastest and most reliable option. However, if you need to generate new images entirely, Magic Featured Image is the way to go.
bonus method to import post with featured image
you can use migrate guru plugin to migrate your site from one wordpress to another WordPress website it is semilasly easy and fast just you need to install same plagin on both site then copy migration key from new site and go to where there post is available to export now activate plugin login using a email id in migrate guru click migrate choose your hosting company and paste the migration key your sote will migrated in 3 to 5 minutes without downloading uploading and files on your device ✅
when migration is completed you can see same site in your new domain just use old website admin username and password to login in new domain all bicose all options post plugin theme are reseted
Bonus Tips for Seamless Bulk Image Import
- Test Before Running in Bulk
Always test these plugins on a smaller batch of posts to ensure the images are being fetched or generated correctly. - Optimize Images for Performance
After generating featured images, use an image optimization plugin like Smush or ShortPixel to compress and optimize the images for faster loading times. - Check Featured Image Settings
- Go to your theme settings and ensure featured images are enabled for display.
- Some themes allow additional customization, such as positioning or overlay options.
Conclusion
Fixing the “Image Not Imported” issue when using the WordPress Importer plugin doesn’t have to be stressful. With tools like Magic Featured Image and FIFU Premium Plugin, you can bulk-generate or fetch featured images for thousands of posts in just a few hours—or even seconds.
These methods not only save you time but also ensure your blog looks professional and visually engaging. Whether you’re dealing with missing images during migration or starting from scratch, these tools will make your life easier.