=== MediaSpark – AI Image Optimization, WebP, AVIF & Alt Text === Contributors: aacers Tags: media library, image optimization, webp, lazy load, media manager, image compression, alt text, image seo, ai alt text, bulk image Requires at least: 6.0 Tested up to: 6.9 Stable tag: 2.1.2 Requires PHP: 7.4 License: GPLv2 or later License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html Filter-only WordPress image optimization. AVIF + WebP. AI alt-text in 30+ languages. Free, forever. Pro from €9.95/mo. == Description == **MediaSpark** is image optimization for people who are tired of bloated optimizer plugins that hold half the features hostage behind email walls, fake "free" trials, and persistent banner ads inside wp-admin. No banner ads. No "register your email to continue" wall. No forced signup before you can compress a single image. Install, activate, done. ### Why MediaSpark exists We mined hundreds of 1-star reviews of the popular "Smush"-style optimizers. The same complaints kept coming up: * "Half the features now require a paid account I never asked for." * "After the latest update I have to give them my email just to use what I already had." * "Banner ads inside my own admin panel." * "Settings page got worse, not better." MediaSpark is the opposite of that. **Filter-only architecture** — every behavior is a WordPress filter you can hook, override, or disable. No telemetry. No phone-home. No upsell modals. ### What you get for free * **WebP + AVIF generation** with quality tuning * **AI alt-text** for every image you upload — SEO-friendly, multilingual (30+ languages) * **Bulk image compression** for your existing library * **Lazy loading** with native browser hints (no jQuery, no layout shift) * **Media folders + tags** to keep a large library navigable * **Bulk edit** alt text, folders, tags across hundreds of files at once * **Analytics dashboard** showing total / used / unused media * **WooCommerce-aware** — product galleries, variation images, shop pages ### Pro version — Premium AI included [MediaSpark Pro](https://pluginjoy.com/product/mediaspark-pro/) adds AI tagging, image watermarking, advanced compression profiles, and CDN-ready URLs. Powered by Claude Sonnet 4.6 — no API keys to wire up. **Premium AI credits included** with every Pro plan (50 / 200 / 1000 per month). Credits are shared with [SiteFix Pro](https://wordpress.org/plugins/a11y-enhancer/) and [Clarity SEO Pro](https://wordpress.org/plugins/clarity-seo/) on the same PluginJoy account. Top-up packs available, credits never expire. * **Priority support** — 24-hour response on business days * **30-day money-back guarantee** * Pricing from **€9.95/mo** — see [pricing page](https://pluginjoy.com/product/mediaspark-pro/) ### Sister plugins MediaSpark is one of five free PluginJoy plugins on WordPress.org, all sharing the same filter-only architecture and AI credit pool when you upgrade: * [Clarity SEO](https://wordpress.org/plugins/clarity-seo/) — AI-era SEO + answer engine optimization * [SiteFix](https://wordpress.org/plugins/a11y-enhancer/) — accessibility (WCAG 2.2 AA) with AI fixes * [SafeSnap](https://wordpress.org/plugins/safesnap/) — one-click backups * [Global Time Ghost](https://wordpress.org/plugins/global-time-ghost/) — multi-timezone scheduling == Installation == 1. Go to Plugins → Add New 2. Search for "MediaSpark" 3. Click "Install Now" and then "Activate" 4. Go to Media → MediaSpark for the dashboard 5. (Optional) Run **Bulk Optimize** on your existing library 6. New uploads are auto-optimized and auto-alt-texted from this point on == Frequently Asked Questions == = Is MediaSpark really free? = Yes. The free version on WordPress.org includes WebP + AVIF generation, bulk compression, lazy loading, AI alt-text, media folders, and bulk editing — forever, with no email wall, no banner ads, and no required signup. Pro is optional and adds AI tagging, watermarking, advanced compression profiles, and CDN-ready URLs. = How is this different from Smush, ShortPixel, EWWW, or Imagify? = Three differences. **(1) No email wall** — you don't have to register an account to use what's bundled in the free plugin. **(2) No banner ads** in your wp-admin. **(3) Filter-only architecture** — every behavior is a WordPress filter you can disable or override. We're also one of five sister plugins on a shared AI credit pool, so if you also use Clarity SEO Pro or SiteFix Pro, your credits compound across them. = Does MediaSpark support AVIF? = Yes — AVIF generation is included in the free version, alongside WebP. AVIF typically delivers 30–50% smaller files than WebP at equivalent visual quality, and is supported by Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Opera. MediaSpark serves AVIF with a WebP fallback for older browsers automatically. = How do AI credits work? = Pro plans include monthly Premium AI credits (50 / 200 / 1000 depending on tier) that power AI alt-text generation, AI tagging, and AI scene detection. Credits are **shared across all PluginJoy Pro plugins on your account** — so the same credit pool powers MediaSpark, Clarity SEO, and SiteFix. Top-up packs are available and credits never expire. The free version of MediaSpark uses a lightweight on-device alt-text generator (no AI credits required). = How does bulk optimization work? = Open Media → MediaSpark → Bulk Optimize. Choose your quality preset (Lighthouse-friendly defaults included), pick a batch size, and start. Optimization runs in the background via WordPress's standard cron — you can close the page and come back later. Originals are kept by default (you can disable retention to reclaim disk space). = Will MediaSpark slow down my site? = The opposite. MediaSpark generates smaller image variants (WebP / AVIF) and adds native browser lazy loading, both of which improve Lighthouse / Core Web Vitals scores. There is no front-end JavaScript injected, no jQuery dependency, and no inline stylesheets — it's purely server-side rewriting via WordPress filters. = Does MediaSpark work with WooCommerce? = Yes. MediaSpark optimizes WooCommerce product images, variation images, and gallery thumbnails out of the box. Bulk optimize handles existing product catalogues; new uploads are auto-optimized. = How do bulk actions work? = In your Media Library, select multiple files using checkboxes. Choose a MediaSpark action from the "Bulk Actions" dropdown: * **MediaSpark: Bulk Optimize** — generate WebP / AVIF variants * **MediaSpark: Assign to Folder** — select or create a folder * **MediaSpark: Assign Tags** — select or create tags * **MediaSpark: Set Alt Text from Title** — instant, no confirmation * **MediaSpark: Set Custom Alt Text** — type custom alt text for the batch == Screenshots == 1. **Modern Dashboard** — beautiful interface with optimization analytics 2. **Stats Cards** — total, used, unused media at a glance 3. **Bulk Optimize** — WebP + AVIF generation in batches 4. **Bulk Assign Folder** — easy interface to organize files 5. **Bulk Assign Tags** — add tags to multiple files at once 6. **Settings** — configure auto alt text and auto compression == Changelog == = 2.1.2 = * Readme metadata cleanup — fix contributors order; optimized search tags. = 2.1.1 = * **New**: v3 review boost — direct 5-star review URL pre-fills rating, lower friction. * **New**: Subtle review prompt on the post-edit screen — most users live in Gutenberg, not on plugin admin pages. * **New**: \`mediaspark_user_won\` action hook — fires the review prompt immediately after a real success event. * **Improved**: Activation time backfill so older installs see the prompt instead of waiting another 7 days. = 2.1.0 = * New: Refreshed Pro upsell card with subscription model + AI features messaging. * New: "Get Pro" link added to plugins-page action row. * New: 5-star review reminder appears once after 7 days, fully dismissable, with "I already reviewed" option. * Updated: readme refreshed — image optimization positioning, AVIF + WebP messaging, FAQ on Smush comparison, sister-plugin links to Clarity SEO / SiteFix / SafeSnap / Global Time Ghost. * Tested up to WordPress 6.9. = 2.0.1 - February 8, 2026 = * FIXED: Bulk assign folders now works! Complete implementation * FIXED: Bulk assign tags now works! Complete implementation * NEW: Beautiful bulk assign page with modern UI * NEW: Create new folders/tags directly from bulk assign page * IMPROVED: Settings page now shows all 4 bulk actions * IMPROVED: Success messages after bulk operations * IMPROVED: Better instructions in Settings tab * FIXED: Hidden bulk assign submenu (internal page only) * TESTED: All bulk actions verified working = 2.0.0 - February 8, 2026 = * NEW: Complete UI redesign with modern purple gradient interface * NEW: Beautiful dashboard with stats cards * NEW: Analytics showing total, used, unused media * NEW: Folder and tag count display * NEW: Quick search functionality * NEW: Modern Free vs Pro comparison table * NEW: Review reminder after 7 days of use * IMPROVED: Better settings page layout * IMPROVED: Clearer feature descriptions * IMPROVED: Code refactored with modern OOP structure * IMPROVED: Purple branding matching PluginJoy style * TESTED: Compatible with WordPress 6.8 = 1.7.0 - December 12, 2025 = * Initial WordPress.org release == Upgrade Notice == = 2.1.0 = Readme refreshed with image optimization positioning, AVIF + WebP messaging, and a new FAQ. Safe upgrade — no breaking changes. = 2.0.1 = Important fix! Bulk assign folders and tags now work properly. Recommended update for all users! = 2.0.0 = Major UI upgrade! Beautiful new dashboard. Recommended for all users!