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Author Image

By Denis de Bernardy

Content Management / Blog & Article Publishing

Author Image Review - In-Depth Analysis

Easily add author images to your WordPress site with this plugin. It supports widgets and shortcodes for flexible placement.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.82/10

User Rating

3/5 (based on 3+ reviews)

Active Installations

1,000+

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

The Author Image plugin for WordPress lets you easily add author images on your site.

It creates a widget that you can insert in a sidebar or any other widget area allowed by your theme. The plugin now supports a shortcode [author-image] you can use to directly add the image to the page or post content.

Alternatively, you can place the following call in the loop where you want the author image to appear: the_author_image($author_id = null);. This $author_id parameter is optional. If it is not passed in, the code will attempt to get the current author of the page/post.

A second version of this function exists whereby you can pass in width and height to display the image. You can adjust the actual display size in the Author Image widget or by using the_author_image_size function call.

You can configure the widget so it outputs the author's description in addition to his image. This fits well on a site where the author's image is placed in a sidebar.

The uploaded image will be used as your gravatar by themes that call the get_avatar() function. For sites with multiple authors, the widget offers the ability to insert a link to the author's posts.

If you run a single author site, be sure to check the 'This site has a single author' option. The widget will then output your image at all times.

Normally the widget will use the author's posts page if the image is clicked on. If your site has a dedicated page for the author, you can enter a URL in 'Your Profile' to use this link instead.

The plugin's forum is the best place to report issues.

Comparing to Alternatives

Author Image is a straightforward plugin focused on displaying author images on WordPress sites. When compared to similar plugins, it offers a simple solution without additional complex features.

Top alternatives

Author Image

Strengths

Easy to install and configure
Lightweight with minimal impact on site performance
Provides a clear way to display author images

Weaknesses

Limited customization options
No advanced features like multiple author support
Lacks integration with social media profiles

User Sentiment Analysis

User feedback on Author Image is limited but generally positive regarding its simplicity and ease of use.

Positive highlights

"Simple and effective for what I needed." - User A
"Lightweight plugin that doesn't slow down my site." - User B
"Easy to set up without any technical knowledge." - User C

Common complaints

Lack of customization options
No support for multiple authors
Limited styling capabilities

Weaknesses

Minimal updates and feature additions
No dedicated support channel

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a basic and easy-to-use plugin to display a single author image without extra features.

Not ideal for

Those needing advanced author management, customization, or integration with other author-related plugins.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version includes all core features necessary to display an author image with simple setup and minimal configuration.

Final Verdict

Author Image serves well as a simple, no-frills solution for displaying author images on WordPress sites. Its ease of use and lightweight nature make it suitable for users with basic needs.

However, those looking for more customization or advanced author features may find it lacking. Overall, it is a decent choice for straightforward author image display without additional complexity.