{"id":9433,"date":"2023-01-09T11:21:47","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T19:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/?p=9433"},"modified":"2025-03-30T13:21:42","modified_gmt":"2025-03-30T20:21:42","slug":"how-add-images-wordpress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/how-add-images-wordpress\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Add Images in WordPress and Reduce File Size in 2025 (Both Classic and Gutenberg Editors)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today, we’re breaking down how to add images in WordPress<\/strong> and reduce their file size (to keep your pages & posts loading as quickly as possible).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you’re just learning the fundamentals of how to start a blog<\/a>, there’s a lot to figure out, I get it. We’ve talked about how to change font size<\/a>, changing font color<\/a>, making a clickable link<\/a> and so much more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that in 2025, it’s very easy to learn how to add images in WordPress<\/a> with all of the usability updates and enhancements they’ve seen over the past decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this quick tutorial, I’ll be showing you how to add images in WordPress posts, both in the Classic<\/em> Editor and through the Block<\/em> Editor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Add Images in WordPress and Reduce File Size in 2025 (Both Classic and Gutenberg Editors)<\/a><\/div>Click To Post on <\/i><\/a>
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Now, let’s dive into adding images to your WordPress posts\u2014while also reducing their file size as much as possible, to stay in line with SEO best practices<\/a> and to keep your pages loading as fast as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Add Images WordPress (and Reduce File Size) in 202<\/strong>5<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Adding Images to Posts in the Classic WordPress Editor<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Adding Images to Posts in the Gutenberg WordPress Editor<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Adding a Featured Image to a Post in WordPress<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Now quickly, before we dive into this tutorial on adding images to WordPress, I’ll show you how to reduce an image’s file size (helping your posts load faster) in 2 easy steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Install the (Free) Compress JPEG & PNG Images Plugin by Tiny PNG<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"Image<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    You can download the free Compress JPEG & PNG Images Plugin for WordPress right here<\/a> from the WordPress plugin library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Alternatively, you can also search for the plugin and install it from directly inside your plugin menu<\/em>, accessible on the left-hand side of your blog admin section here\u2014or check out this quick tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"Add<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Once you’ve installed the Compress JPEG & PNG Images Plugin, every new image you upload to your WordPress blog will be automatically optimized<\/strong> and the file size reduced as much as possible without compromising the quality of your image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Note:<\/em> This is the best image compression plugin on the market by far. It allows up to 500 free image compressions per month (which is much more than you’ll likely need) before having to upgrade to a paid plan at $.009\/image beyond your first 500 each month. It’s a serious bargain and you won’t find a better compression plugin that gives you more free credits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, if you want to do image compression directly on your own computer (unlimited for free), then I recommend the ImageOptim application<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Upload Your Images<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That’s it! Seriously, it’s that easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Once you’ve installed the compression plugin on your blog\u2014or have compressed individual images on your computer first\u2014you’re ready to upload them to your posts or pages in WordPress. There are plenty of other ways to make photos load faster on websites<\/a> but just compressing images will go a long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now, let’s dig into exactly how to add images to WordPress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>1. Adding Images to Posts in the Classic WordPress Editor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you still prefer the Classic WordPress Editor<\/a> layout for adding\/editing your posts, then follow along here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On the other hand, if you’re using the newer Gutenberg Editor for your post content, then jump down to the next section for that walkthrough. If you’re not sure which editor you’re using, take a peek at the image screenshots below here and compare them to what your editor looks like. <\/em>Want to use the Classic Editor, but not sure how to get it? Take 2 minutes to install the Classic Editor<\/a> on your WordPress blog if you want to go that route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Open the Post You’re Adding Images to (and Find the Right Spot)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    First, you’ll need to make sure you’re inside the Post you want to add an image to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Then you’ll want to navigate your cursor to the exact place within your post that you want to add the image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Click the “Add Media” Button at the Top of Your Editor<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    That button will look like this right here:<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"Screenshot<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Once you click the “Add Media” button, you’ll be presented with the screen where you can upload your image file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Click “Upload Files”<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Click on the tab for “Upload Files” and you’ll be taken to the screen where you can use the selector tool to pick an image file from where it’s located on your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"Upload<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Alternatively, if you’ll be dragging an image file from your desktop and uploading it\u2014you can skip the “Upload Files” screen and just move straight to dragging the image in and dropping it (there’s a demo of this in the next step).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. Upload Your Image File<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    I prefer dragging image files from my desktop and dropping them into the file uploader (rather than using the selector to locate them on my computer), as it’s much quicker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here’s a quick video\/GIF demonstration of how to add an image from your desktop into WordPress:<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"How<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Once you’ve uploaded your image, the compression plugin will work it’s magic to help reduce the file size (behind the scenes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Note:<\/em> Before finishing up your image options and clicking “Insert into post,” you’ll want to write out an SEO friendly Alt Text<\/a> for your image\u2014something that describes the nature of what’s taking place in your image, and ideally weaving in one of the target keywords<\/a> you’re hoping the article will eventually rank for (in organic search results).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. Select Your Image Options and Click “Insert into post”<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Finally, you’ll have a few options to define for your image. This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n