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External URL Link as Featured Images
Last contact:
May 28, 2024
There’s one thing that has been bugging me for a while about WordPress and featured images.
What’s that one thing? It’s how hard it is to set a featured image from an external link.
Mike @ Epic Plugins
It’s 2017 and this still isn’t easy to do. So I wrote a plugin to make this easy for you!
How to have an external link as your Featured Image
- Purchase the amazing link to featured image plugin
- Set featured image from external URL
- Uses a filter to replace the image output.
- The file remains on the external server location.
- Saves you bandwidth.
- Upload image from external URL and set as featured image.
- This uploads the external image to your media library and attaches it to your post as the featured image
- Better for large images as they will be crunched by the WordPress image crunching routine.
- The file will be copied and stored on your own server.
- Automates the process. Saves you time!
Want to start saving time and bandwidth?
Purchase the ‘Link to Featured Image’ plugin today
There’s one thing that has been bugging me for a while about WordPress and featured images.
What’s that one thing? It’s how hard it is to set a featured image from an external link.
The Problem:
WordPress only allows you to set the featured image of a post (or custom post / page etc) as an item that is already in your media library. So if you see a cool image that you’d like to use. You have to save it, upload it, then insert it. A bit of a pain to do.
Why don’t they allow you to do this? Well because the post thumbnails used by WordPress goes through a fair bit of processing and they display them as 150×150 images (rather than massive 10MB images if you were to simply use an external URL of a large image).
The Solution:
I decided to do something about this. I read through all the WordPress codex and through the “core” code of the popular CMS platform and I have developed a nice and easy plugin that lets you set your posts “featured image” by URL.
I thought it would be useful to share. So I’ve put it up on the store for a super low price.
The image below is from the WordPress Admin area. Where you usually click ‘Set Featured Image’ you can now enter a URL to use. It then stores this into the post’s custom field and outputs it instead of the featured image. A huge timesaver.
This price tag is so low, that’s it’s almost like saying. Hey Mike that’s cool, let me buy you a cup of coffee and a snack so you can carry on making these EPIC plugins.
What’s a quick cup of coffee in return for something that can save you endless hours of time in your future blogging / website management. I say… priceless!
How does it work?
- A new meta box is added to your post pages (you can move this anywhere you like)
- Enter the link to the external image you’d like as the featured image (make sure you have permission to use the images)
- Click update
- This prompts WordPress to look at the URL
- If it’s an image it will add it to your media library and crunch it
- It will then set the image as your posts featured image
- You’ll then feel all EPIC because you’ve just saved yourself a TON of time
It’s really that easy!
Want to start saving time and bandwidth?
Buy Now for $15
Buy Now for $15
Comments
94 responses to “External URL Link as Featured Images”
I purchased the plugin, can I dowload this updsted version for free?
Hi – it’s not an update it’s a new way to purchase but it handles updates a lot better – since you purchased with PayPal this will not work for you but I’ll mail all existing customers with any future updates
Hi, is it possible to pay with Paypal ?
Yes. Please visit the store
Will this actually allow me to feature an image hosted on imgur? I mean it’s not grabbing an image and adding it to my media library is it? I don’t want to pay 10 bucks only to find out it’s simply downloading the image and placing it in my media library using my own host.
Reason I ask is because I want to use 5mb gifs as featured images and hosting them on my low end host will not cut it.
Thanks!
Can you let me use paypal? I dont have any CC’s
Hi
Yes sure. We moved our systems I can add paypal over the next couple of days
Ok, I’ll check back on Monday. BTW I am using a modified version of twentyfouteen theme.
Hi
You can use ones on imgur if you have the image link yes ie not the page link
Can I just paypal you the money so I can get to using this plugin?
Thanks!
It is? Where? I dont see a paypal option.
Here is a screenshot of what I see http://prntscr.com/2zdw2c
Am I about to feel really stupid or is it really not there?
Thanks. Just bought it and it works but it does not scale down the images as needed on the index page like it does with standard images. Is there a way we can make it do that to follow suit with the other images?
Nah, I knew I was taking a risk on this plugin and I knew my chances were slim it would work perfectly. It does what it’s supposed to do but having to edit code and change themes or upload “smaller” images for 1 plugin is not ethical and a pure waste of time.
The funny thing is, I am using a default wordpress theme too. Twentyfourteen. The featured post images do not show up properly. Have you even tested this?
Hi James
I replied via email on this I think but for the benefit of others, 2014 theme uses the “has_thumbnail” function which currently doesn’t appear to have a filter.
To fix this you’ll need to make an edit to your theme file (use a child theme) so that it thinks there’s a thumbnail and then uses the link instead.
If you’re unsure of how to do this, post up on the forum
This plugin will auto upload image from external url to library ?,could i use image from external url as thumb ( for save bandwidth ?),or could you make a plugin like this,i just want to use image from external host like imgur.com,postimage.org,not from my host,for saving hdd and bandwidth..
tks and sr for my bad englishHi
There’s two options you can have it externally hot linked or just use the plugin to quickly upload images to your own site
Cheers
Thank you :D,can i ask more question ?
Will plugin works with related post / popular post with thumb (hot link)..:DHi it should do – please test on 2012 theme if you come across any issues.
SORRY, MY ENGLISH NOT A GOOD!
I bought the plugin, I’m using it on my blog. I would just take a doubt, because when I send the link to the social networks, it does not insert the image “feature”, but simply a standard image blog, why?Hi – sorry I’m afraid I don’t understand?
Hi Mike
i have purchased the plugin, but i dont have any download link. can you help me?Emailed a new link – the download link is provided on the thank-you page after purchase as well as emailed to your email.
Cheers
Hi,
Does it work with any post types ?
regards,
Yep
SORRY MY ENGLISH NOT GOOD!
Hello, I bought the plugin and am using it now, even met all my expectations. But just like some help, as I am to change the template of my blog, but the new, there is the images of features, but the plugin does not work. When I put the URL of the image is not displayed, but when I insert it in the blog is, why? how do I look in the new plugin work? Thank you!Purchased the external link plugin, no link on the confirmation page and am still waiting for the email… 🙁 please advise… thanks! Looks like this might be the solution I’ve been searching for.
Hi Jeff – I’ve emailed you – seems to be a temporary issue which should now be fixed.
Hi,
I purchased the plugin, i have lost the file. The download link is broken.
Thanks
Hi,
I’m thinking of buying this plugin. But my theme has “the_post_thumbnail” function and not “get_the_post_thumbnail”. What I need to tweak in my theme? How can I be sure that this plugin will work for me? Can I see any demo of it? I think that answers to these question will help many webmasters to take the right decision.
Thanks
Hi
It will work with most themes unless they deviate from the standard (i.e. use their own functions to get images etc), it isn’t too difficult to tweak (you may need to tweak the template for your theme (using a Child theme))
Cheers
Hi. I am very interested to purchase your plugin. Is it compatible with StudioPress/Genesis theme? I tried to look for the get_the_post_thumbnail(); function in my StudioPress theme. But since it has so many files and folders in it I am overwhelmed. Where the get_the_post_thumbnail(); function is usually located in a theme? Also, can I use the plugin for images hosted at Amazon S3? Thanks in advance.
Hi – Genesis yes it is compatible as far as I am aware. Cheers
Hello Mike,
This plugin is compatible with this theme http://themeforest.net/item/newspaper/5489609 ?
Hi Bram
We cannot personally test with all themes, sorry. It should work out of the box though and there’s the support forum for any difficulties, if you have a custom theme it may need some edits to the templates if the theme deviates away from the WordPress “Standard”
Cheers
will this plugin allow me to set a external url on the full image on the attachment page? when users click the thumbnail they go to the attachment page where the full image pictures is aka attachment page when they click it i want my affiliate link there. ready to purchase if possible if not can you make it and cost 🙂
Hi Dave
This plugin is for the image itself to be externally hosted (e.g. something like Amazon S3 for example) not to populate with an affiliate link around the image.
If you need something custom, our rates are here: http://epicplugins.com/epic-freelance/
Finally – I was looking for an S3 option for featured images. But I fear that what I really want to do – to ONLY rely on S3 to serve up my featured images (and all other rich media) isn’t what’s happening.
You don’t have an option to not copy the file to the local media library, do you? I’m happy to prep my Featured images as 150×150 png files, hosted on S3. I want to really pare down the items in my media library as my site is getting slower as I add more images, videos etc.
Hi. There is an option to just use an external link and not copy it across
Hello.
Before purchasing this plugin, I wounder how would it work with the import process?
For example, I have woocommerce on my website and I’d like to import 20 products with using the CSV format. in my csv i have a column with the image url for each of the products.
Where should I stick this field to during the import, so my images would be shown correctly.Looking forward to hear from you. Thank you.
Hi
You will need to set it to go into a custom field (epic_url_featured) from memory of the code. Purchase a copy and if you’re unsure post up on the support forum: http://epicplugins.com/help/
hi,
1) does it support wp3.9.1?
2) it will hotlink my external hosted image and auto-resized it on my woocommerce product page right?Do you have plans to come up with Product Gallery external link image plugin too?
Thank you
Hi it doesn’t auto-resize but you can use it to have your images hosted elsewhere and it hotlink them
Hi Mike,
Thank you for your reply. I would like to check are you able to help us customise the product gallery to link to external image link too? Not only the featured image.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you!
Link 2 Featured Image plugin today and bought.
Avada 3.4.3 theme to use.
Edit screen, press the Update button, which links the output image does not appear Post screen.
Known solution to this problem would be appreciated.Does it work for you on the 2012 theme?
Hey Mike,
With the “Link 2 Featured Image” plugin work with wootheme or woocommerce.
Thanks,
James M
Hi – it should do, it may need some tweaks though
Please help us tweak the plugin to work with CSV import and woocommerce product thumbnail images
is there a plugin to create an external url link to a blog post featured image
so i choose the image from the media library but link it to an external url,
I can do this with embedded images but not with the “featured” image which creates
a smaller version of the featured image for the excerpts which is what i want.currently the featured image link goes to the blog post itself and loads the same image in a lightbox.
Hi
Not that I’m aware of no, since WordPress wants the featured image to take you to a post, there’s a free “post links to” plugin but I think this only changes where the title of the post links to and not the featured image
You could obviously modify the “links to” plugin + your theme to do what you want it to do though
I would appreciate if you show me where and how i can keep the
“excerpt” featured image “default” link back to the blog post full page (how it is)
BUT the blog post full page featured image link to external url.
Mmm,i have a question,if i use this plugin now,how about my old posts ? will it work ?,i just use only for popular posts,related post plugin 😀
Hi – it won’t change your old posts unless you tell it to.
Hi Mike
the plugin deleted to my mistakes.The download link (see browser address bar) has expired (it’s too old). If you think this reason is in error, please contact the site administrator.
Thank you very much.
Hi, I’ve got version 1.0, but I believe this is massively outdated. How do I know what the current version is and how do I update?
[…] Those “popular” themes that have been written by people from the camp in 6… which removes the use of any filters or hooks which have generally been designed to make cross development easier. So workarounds have to be done (Genesis and its featured image functions are a prime example, which resulted in an additional filter needed to be developed for link 2 featured image plugin) […]
Hi, no sorry, it’s just for external links
Hi Mike
Will the Chrome extension work for custom post types? For example, I have a custom post type named ‘Images’ and it doesn’t require a ‘title’ and it has custom taxonomies. Will the extension ‘load’ these custom fields from my custom post type?
Best,
ArenHi, not it’s only standard posts I’m afraid
Hi,
Two queries:
1. Will it work with Newspaper theme http://themeforest.net/item/newspaper/5489609
(I can provide files to test to your team). Only want to avoid asking for refund if plugin doesn’t work with my theme.2. After adding a featured image will it save a thumbnail image to media library or not?
To save space and bandwidth i don’t need featured image on my server at any cost?Hi
1. It should work with the newspaper theme yes. If it doesn’t let me know and I’ll tell you how to edit the files
2. You can choose whether you want it externally, or uploaded – there’s two different boxes.
Hi,
I’m just wondering if your plug in will work with the Getty images plug in with an embedded code?
Thanks
I have a question: I uploaded the files with Filezilla but they are not in the library now. So I would like to use your plugin to set the featured image in pages and posts with the url of the files that I stored with Filezilla. My question is: it is possible to avoid the copy on server of the image. Because in my case it will be a duplicate in the server.
Thank you
Hi
There’s two options.
1. You can just hotlink to tour images without making a copy
2. You can have them copied to your server
So option 1 is the one for you
Cheers
Hi,
I have issues with the plugin I bought yesterday. After installing the featured image was gone and replaced with a non-working ‘external featured image’ section. Can you help? Thank you!
Hello,
This plugin is compatible with wp-job-manager?
I’m using listify theme with wp-job-manager plugin.
Thank you
Compatible how?
This plugin is used to quickly set the featured images of posts from an external URL.
If you need to include it on another post type you’ll have to edit the code that displays the meta box to include your custom post name
Aside from doing that, this plugin automates the upload to your media process from a URL (or you can enter a URL)
The external URL directly into your site hooks into the post thumbnail actions. If your theme doesn’t use these you’ll need to speak to your theme developer on how to incorporate. The image URL for the external link is saved in a custom post field so the theme can be edited to display this.
Hope this helps.
so what to do in this case?
(may not work in all themes that write their own function for displaying post thumbnails)
i bought expreslly for for having featured images hosted on external server location…and it doen’t do the job
i’m using this wp theme
https://themeforest.net/item/pluto-clean-personal-wordpress-masonry-blog-theme/7950280
thanks
We can’t and don’t look into custom themes from themeforest.
You’ll need to look at the theme files or ask the theme author to point you in the right direction
If the theme uses the get_post_thumbnail function then the plugin filters that.
However if it also uses the has_thumbnail() WordPress do not provide a filter for that so you’ll need to find that part of the code and replace it with a conditional
The external URL is stored in post meta so you can access it like this
$epicurl = get_post_meta($post->ID, ‘epic_urlfeatured’, true);
If you need help building it into your theme we can help on a freelance basis.
This plugin can automatically grab the first picture of the featured pictures?
Hi – no it’s a plugin which lets you use an external image as your featured image (rather than hosting from your own media library)
Amazing plugin!!!
Hello, does this plugin also work for the woocommerce gallery? To add images in external url?
Hi Eduardo,
Not the WooCommerce Gallery no, it is for featured images.
Can you make one for the galleries?
It would be great since I can not find a plugin for this.
How much would they charge?
Hi. I’m looking for a way to do what your plug in does but I need to use a shortcode from another plugin to generate the external Inge url… can that work with your plugin? What I am doing is using an Amazon product plugin to generate a post with just a ASIN (Amazon product id) ebtered in a custom field…. in a prefect works your plus in would do its magic in the background without me needing to enter anything… if I could hard code the shortcode info so i didn’t have to enter it on every post that woukd be perfect.
I habe this working but it pulls the external image everytime…. this page is dynamically generated…. ask I enter inn the post is the ASIN in a custom field and use a shortcode in that posts custom template
The reason I need to change to featured images is because some store pages grab multiple products and take way to long to load.Thoughts?
Hi Steve,
Sorry for the delay, you can get at the link using a custom field rather than a shortcode.
It might be easier for you to just edit your theme template if your image urls are predictable
does this work with acf ?
It’s a custom field in itself, I wouldn’t say it has to work with ACF, why do you think it should and in what capacity?
Hey Mike,
Would this work with copying an Amazon Affiliate image link?
Thanks,
Hi Paul, it’s using images hosted elsewhere, not linking your images elsewhere.
Hi Mike,
I need this for Woocommerce gallery products. Will this work?
Thanks,
HI – it’s only featured images, not Product Galleries.
Hello, this is exactly what I’m looking for here in Brazil. I can’t see your plugin’s purchase page.
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