As a tradesperson, your company website is a crucial tool for showcasing your work, whether you are sharing detailed project photos or completed renovations. However, you may want to remove metadata from images, or risk sharing sensitive details. For example, information such as GPS location, can unintentionally reveal where jobs were completed.

Ensuring that you remove metadata from images you decide to share, protects both you and your clients, while also improving website performance. Here’s how to easily remove metadata from images on your WordPress site.

Metadata, including EXIF data (camera settings, location, and timestamps), can be embedded in images uploaded to your WordPress site, potentially revealing sensitive information. To protect privacy and reduce file sizes, it’s important to remove this metadata from images. Here’s how you can do it effectively:

Table of Contents

Remove Metadata from Images

1. Use a WordPress Plugin

Several plugins can automatically strip metadata from images during upload, or bulk-process existing images. The most popular options are:

Smush: A popular image optimisation plugin that compresses images and removes EXIF data automatically. It works in the background when new images are uploaded or can bulk-optimise your existing media library.
EWWW Image Optimizer: Another robust plugin that offers image optimisation with an option to strip EXIF metadata from all images.
ShortPixel Image Optimizer: This plugin not only strips metadata but also compresses images for faster loading.

Steps to Use a Plugin:

Install and activate the plugin from the WordPress plugin repository.
Navigate to the plugin’s settings and enable metadata removal (usually under “Compression” or “EXIF settings”).
Optimize your existing media library, if needed, using the bulk optimization feature.

2. Manually Remove Metadata From Images Before Uploading

If you prefer not to use a plugin, you can remove metadata manually before uploading images:

Windows: Right-click the image > “Properties” > “Details” tab > “Remove Properties and Personal Information.”
Mac: Open the image in Preview > “Tools” > “Show Inspector” > “i” tab > Manually remove data.
Online Tools: Use sites like ExifPurge or ImageOptim to strip EXIF metadata before uploading.

3. Use Image Editing Software

If you are editing images before uploading, software like Photoshop, GIMP, or Lightroom can also remove EXIF data:

Photoshop: Use “Save for Web” which excludes most metadata by default.
GIMP: Go to “File” > “Export As” and uncheck “Save EXIF data.”

WordPress is a robust and highly flexible platform, ideal for users without technical skills, yet it does have a learning curve that can take time to master. It provides an extensive range of plugins and customization options, making it possible to strip EXIF metadata and optimize your images for better performance. However, managing various plugins and ensuring that all settings are correctly applied can feel overwhelming, particularly if you aren’t comfortable with technology.

In contrast, platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly offer simpler, more user-friendly website-building alternatives. These services manage most technical aspects for you, including automatically removing EXIF metadata during image uploads, which protects privacy by removing location data embedded in photos. This is a significant advantage for professionals like builders and carpenters who want to display their work online without worrying about technical details or potential privacy risks.

For instance, Squarespace and Wix remove metadata from images by default when uploaded, eliminating the need for plugins or extra settings adjustments. You can enjoy peace of mind knowing your images are both optimised for performance and free from sensitive metadata without any additional effort.

If you are seeking a hassle-free, hands-off approach in order to remove metadata from images, these platforms can be ideal for creating a polished, professional website. They allow you to focus on your trade and displaying your work without the technical complexities of WordPress, especially when it comes to safeguarding your images.

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