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Clean Image Filenames

By Upperdog

Site Administration & Utilities / Bulk Operations & Batch Editing

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Clean Image Filenames Review - In-Depth Analysis

Automatically converts accent characters in filenames to non-accent characters when uploading to the media library.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.9/10

User Rating

4.6/5 (based on 21+ reviews)

Active Installations

30,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

This plugin automatically converts language accent characters in filenames when uploading to the media library. Characters are converted into browser and server friendly, non-accent characters.

The plugin features the ability to convert accent characters to non-accent, latin equivalents in languages such as Swedish, Danish, and German. It also removes special characters like exclamation marks, periods, and hashtags.

Users can choose whether to convert only image files or all file types, making site and server migrations easier with non-accent character filenames. Additionally, it provides a filter hook for developers to specify which file types to convert.

For example, a filename like Räksmörgås.jpg will be converted to raksmorgas.jpg. Similarly, Æblegrød_FTW!.gif will become aeblegrod-ftw.gif, and Château de Ferrières.png will be transformed into chateau-de-ferrieres.png.

It is worth noting that the plugin only converts filenames during the upload process and cannot convert existing files.

Comparing to Alternatives

Clean Image Filenames is a specialized plugin focused on sanitizing image filenames, with several alternatives available that offer similar functionality.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Effectively converts accented characters to standard letters, supporting languages like Danish and German.
Preserves the original title of the media file, only altering the filename.
Simple and efficient operation without unnecessary complexity.
High user satisfaction with a 4.6 rating and mostly positive reviews.

Weaknesses

Limited to filename sanitization without additional media management features.
No pro version available, so advanced features are not offered.
Some users may find it too basic compared to more comprehensive plugins.
A small minority of users report dissatisfaction without detailed explanation.

User Sentiment Analysis

The plugin enjoys a very positive reception with 85.7% five-star ratings, reflecting strong user approval and satisfaction.

Positive highlights

"Perfect!" — miro382
"Perfect for Danish sites 🙂" — Bjarne Oldrup
"Saves my life every day, German words just have too many Äs, Ös & Üs 😉" — doomsoul
"I recommend this. When there is diacritics in the file name, this simply substitutes that for a letter without diacritics. Works very well!" — novakpeter
"Works like indicated. Simple and efficient" — Kuuak

Common complaints

Reported as a bogus plugin by one user without further details.

Weaknesses

No advanced features beyond filename sanitization.
Lack of a paid version limits feature expansion.
Minimal support for complex filename handling scenarios.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who need a straightforward, reliable plugin to clean image filenames by converting accented characters, especially those working with languages like Danish or German.

Not ideal for

Users seeking comprehensive media management tools or advanced filename customization features, or those requiring dedicated support and frequent updates through a pro version.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers effective filename sanitization that replaces accented characters with standard letters, suitable for most users' needs.

Final Verdict

Clean Image Filenames is a highly rated plugin that excels at its core function of sanitizing image filenames, particularly for languages with accented characters. Its simplicity and effectiveness have earned it strong user approval and make it a solid choice for users needing this specific functionality.

However, the lack of a pro version and advanced features may limit its appeal for users seeking more comprehensive media management solutions. Despite this, its clean security record and focused approach make it a dependable option for its intended purpose.