Featured images make a huge impact on click-through rates. Posts with relevant images get 94% more views according to recent research from Hubspot and Venngage.
However, it‘s a common mistake to forget setting featured images in WordPress. The result can be awkward gaps ruining your site‘s visual appeal.
Fortunately, you can easily add a default featured image in WordPress as a fallback option using a simple yet powerful plugin.
In this detailed guide from a WordPress expert, you‘ll learn:
- Why default featured images matter
- How to properly set a default featured image in WordPress
- The right way to choose or create fallback images
- Extra tips for social media default images
- How to remove or change the default if needed
Let‘s dive in!
Why Set a Default Featured Image in WordPress?
Well-designed WordPress themes showcase featured images prominently across your site. For example:
- On blog post listings
- In related posts sections
- Within RSS feeds
- On social media shares
Without featured images, these crucial areas will have unattractive gaps.
According to studies, this leads visitors to subconsciously perceive your content as lower-quality or less appealing. You could miss out on clicks and conversions as a result.
Default featured images prevent this issue by filling gaps as needed. The plugin gives WordPress an image to default to across any posts, pages, or custom post types lacking one.
Benefits include:
- Increased clicks and engagement
- More appealing design with less awkward whitespace
- Improved social media shares
- Stronger brand consistency
For the best results, you need to set an appropriate default image – not just any placeholder.
Here‘s how to do it right.
How to Set a Default Featured Image in WordPress
The easiest method is by using a simple yet feature-rich plugin.
My top recommendation based on testing various options is the Default Featured Image plugin by Mikael Lindqvist. With over 100,000 active WordPress site installations and a 5-star rating, it‘s a great choice loved by beginners and experts alike.
Here is an overview of how to set up default featured images using this plugin:
1. Install the Default Featured Image Plugin
First, login to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New.
Next, search for "Default Featured Image" and click the "Install Now" button on the plugin by Mikael Lindqvist.
Once installed, activate the plugin.
2. Configure Your Default Image
With the plugin activated, head over to the Settings > Media page in your dashboard.
Here you‘ll a new section for your default featured image, with options to set, change, or remove it.
To set your default image, click on "Select default featured image".
Next, choose an image from your WordPress media library or upload a brand new image.
3. Set Social Media Fallback Images (Optional)
For tailored default images on each social media platform like Facebook and Twitter, use the options under "Social Media" settings:
Configure a default featured image for each platform or use the same fallback image for all.
4. Save Your Default Featured Image
Once you‘ve chosen your default featured image, scroll down and click "Save Changes".
And that‘s it!
Now whenever you publish posts, pages or other content without setting a featured image, WordPress will automatically pull in this default image you set to fill awkward gaps.
Choosing the Best Default Featured Images
Not all default featured images are created equal when it comes to performance.
Follow this expert advice for selecting effective fallback images in WordPress:
🔹 Consistent branding: Match your overall color scheme, logo, fonts, etc.
🔹 Appealing design: Use attractive images that will encourage clicks rather than boring placeholders.
🔹 Attention-grabbing: Bright colors, interesting textures, and uniqueness help featured images stand out.
🔹 High resolution: Size images at least 1280×640 pixels to look crisp on retina displays.
🔹 Optimized crops: Preview image crops on blog listings and test different focal points.
🔹 License to reuse: Ensure your default images have licenses allowing display across your site.
Abstract backgrounds, subtle textures, and logo graphics tend to work well.
You can also create custom default featured images with Canva‘s easy image creator.
Change or Remove the Default Featured Image
To update your default featured image or remove it entirely:
- Return to Settings > Media
- Click "Select default featured image" to choose a replacement.
- Or click "Don‘t use a default featured image" to remove the current default fallback image.
- Save changes.
And that‘s all there is to setting an effective default featured image for your WordPress site using a handy plugin!
Now you can rest easy knowing any missing post/page images won‘t ruin your site‘s visual appeal.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
