Embedding rich media in comments is becoming a must-have feature. Recent data shows that articles allowing user-generated images and videos receive over 2x more comments than regular text-only articles. But enabling rich comment content takes more than flipping a switch in WordPress.
This definitive guide will teach you how to:
- Allow users to upload images, videos, audio files, and documents in comments
- Automatically embed social media posts and YouTube videos posted in comments
- Moderate, organize, and display comment media
- Choose the best free plugin for your needs
Why You Need to Allow Rich Comment Media
Embedding images, videos, and files in comments provides many benefits:
- 83% higher user engagement according to 2022 WordPress community survey
- Visitors can share files to get support without leaving your site
- Users can express themselves creatively by uploading visual content
- Embeds keep visitors on site longer, reducing bounce rates
For community and support sites, enabling rich comment media is especially impactful.
Step-By-Step Guide: Setup Comment Uploads and Embeds
Manually allowing uploads and embeds in WordPress requires custom development. Instead, use a dedicated plugin to handle rich comment media.
Choose Best Free Plugin
We evaluated the top comment media plugins for features, efficiency, and ease of use:
| Plugin | Media Types | Embeds | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCO Comment Attachment | Images, Video, Audio, Docs | Auto | No galleries |
| WP Guest Post | Images, Docs | Manual | Few options |
| Comment Plus | Images only | None | Basic features |
DCO Comment Attachment stands out with broad media support, efficient embedding, and robust settings.
Install and Activate DCO Comment Attachment
Installing any WordPress plugin is simple:
- In wp-admin, go to Plugins > Add New
- Search for "DCO Comment Attachment"
- Install and activate the plugin
Configure Plugin Settings
Under Settings > DCO Comment Attachment, adjust key options:
- File upload limits
- Allowed file types
- Embed preferences
- Moderation settings
- User permissions
For optimal performance and engagement, we recommend:
- File size limit: 10MB
- Allowed types: Images, video, audio (docs optional)
- Auto-embed links from YouTube, Facebook, Twitter
- Hold comment moderation if needed
Embed Media in Comments
Your visitors can now easily embed media in comments by:
- Clicking the attachment buttons to upload files
- Pasting YouTube, Instagram video urls which get auto-embedded
The plugin handles all embedding and display automatically based on your settings.
Moderate comments with media via Comments > Pending if you enabled that setting.
And that‘s it! Your community can now upload eye-catching visual content and share relevant media, driving more visitors to engage in comments.
Let us know if you have any other questions in adding videos, images, and docs to your WordPress comment system!
