From external image URL to Media Library attachment

EXMAGE - WordPress Image Links Pro lets WordPress and WooCommerce use image files hosted at external URLs without saving those files to your site server. The plugin creates a Media Library attachment with an ID for each external image. An icon distinguishes these entries from regular attachments, and you can select them wherever WordPress or WooCommerce accepts Media Library pictures.

Where you can use external attachments

• Post featured images.
• WooCommerce product featured images and gallery images.
• Variation images.
• Product category images.
• Other locations that accept images selected from the WordPress Media Library.

Add one image URL or several

For a single image, use the Upload files tab in the Media Library. To add multiple image URLs, use the area below the file upload section on the Upload New Media page.

URL processing can return the supplied URL, an additional message, a success or error status, and the attachment ID. It can also return an edit link when a new attachment is added or an existing attachment is found.

Image URL requirements

Use a real image URL with the correct image MIME type. EXMAGE does not support image URLs from services such as Flickr, Imgur, or Photobucket, or URLs from file storage services such as Google Drive.

External images added through EXMAGE depend on the extension being active. Keep it active wherever the website uses these attachments.

ALD integration

When EXMAGE and the ALD plugin are active together, the ALD options include a Use external links for images option under Products. Enable it to use original AliExpress image URLs for imported products' featured images, gallery images, and variation images instead of saving those images to your server.

Installation and use

Install and activate EXMAGE, then open the Media Library or the Upload New Media page to add valid external image URLs. Select the resulting attachment wherever WordPress or WooCommerce works with a featured image, gallery image, variation image, or product category image.