To set a featured image in WordPress, open your post and find the Featured Image box on the right. Click Set featured image, choose a picture and save. The featured image is the main picture of the post.
What a featured image does
The featured image is the main picture of a post on your WordPress website. Many themes show it at the top of the post and in lists of posts.
It is also the picture people often see when you share the post on social media. A good one makes people click.
Choose a picture that fits your theme and your topic.
Steps to set the featured image
Open the post you want to change from Posts > All Posts, or start a new one from Posts > Add New.
Find the Featured Image box
Look at the right-hand side of the screen and scroll down to the Featured Image box.
Click Set featured image
The select featured image window opens.
Upload or pick a picture
Drag and drop a picture, or click Select File and upload it. Uploading works much like adding a photo on Facebook.
Use the Media Library
To use a picture you already uploaded, click the Media Library tab in the upper-left corner and click the image.
Confirm the choice
In the lower-right corner, click Set Featured Image.
Preview and publish
Click Preview on the right side to check the result. When you are happy, click Publish and the post goes live.
Picture size and speed
Very large files slow your pages. Resize the picture before you upload it.
A width of about 1200 pixels works well for most themes. Smaller files load faster for visitors on phones.
Add a short description in the Alt Text field. It helps people who use screen readers and it helps search engines.
Where the featured image shows
Your theme decides where the featured image appears. Some themes show it as a wide banner above the title. Others show a small thumbnail beside the post text in your blog list.
Social sites often use it as the preview picture when someone shares your link. That is why a clear, bright picture works best.
Pick a picture with the main subject near the middle. Themes sometimes crop the edges to fit their layout.
Use a different featured image for each post. That way your blog list looks lively instead of repeating one picture.
Take a minute to look at the result on a phone as well. Most visitors will see your post on a small screen first.
Change or remove it later
You can change or remove the featured image at any time. Open the post, find the Featured Image box and click Remove featured image. Then set a new one.
If no picture shows after you set it, your theme may not display featured images for that post type. Check the theme settings under Appearance > Customize.
If the picture looks cropped, upload one with a shape closer to the other pictures on your site.
If you want a hand with your WordPress site, call Websnoogie in Omaha at 402-813-4034 or use our contact form.
AboutRod and Tami Atwood
Rod and Tami Atwood and other Websnoogie contributors write the Websnoogie blog. Rod has built websites since 2004 and founded Websnoogie, LLC in Omaha in 2012. Tami is co-owner, content editor and billing expert. Call us at 402-813-4034 or write to staff@websnoogie.com.
