Require Featured Image

How well this listing is tuned to rank in WordPress.org search, on the factors an owner controls. Not popularity, optimization.

Directory rank vs rivals

wp.org popularity rank over time · higher is better · when a rival's line climbs above yours, they've overtaken you

How often this plugin actually ships. A steady rhythm is the maintenance signal a single "last updated" date can't show.

Share of active installs on each version of this plugin · 93% run the current release. Green is the current release; a big slice on older versions is a user base that has stopped updating.

Refined from the date this plugin crossed into its current band.

No paid tier is visible, so we don't put a figure on revenue or sale value: that would be guessing. The install base is a real asset to an acquirer, just not one public data lets us price. A small install base leaves thin data to model from.

1. ★★★★★ ramon fincken

   5.0y ago

   Works on WP 5.8 with build in Gutenberg editor for CPT = posts When you remove the image the message re-appears

   Read on wp.org ↗
2. ★★★★★ renathy

   6.8y ago

   It allows to delete thumb image on existing posts. If I open post that already doesn’t have thumb image it doesn’t show any error message.

   Read on wp.org ↗
3. ★★★★★ bullshark

   7.1y ago

   at least in terms of hiding the button. Plz fix already.

   Read on wp.org ↗
4. ★★★★★ markman641

   7.6y ago

   This plugin worked great, but no longer works with the new Block Editor

   Read on wp.org ↗
5. ★★★★★ norbou

   8.3y ago

   With this plugin activated you cannot use WPML translation editor and WPML translation management.

   Read on wp.org ↗
6. ★★★★★ daniel1990moscow

   9.9y ago

   not worked

   Read on wp.org ↗
7. ★★★★★ lostrappoonline

   10.2y ago

   Forces authors to choose a featured image, works as advertised.

   Read on wp.org ↗
8. ★★★★★ arista80

   10.4y ago

   Very good plugin, but one major problem. We certainly want posts to not be published unless they have a featured image. However, we have authors with status Contributor who write text for their posts and “Submit for Review” when they are done writing. An editor then reviews the post and adds an appropriate featured image. The problem is that the plugin doesn’t allow the contributor to “Submit for Review” unless the post has a featured image. Ideally, the plugin should allow this, and only invoke the featured image requirement at the time of publishing.

   Read on wp.org ↗

Recent releases and news for this plugin

1. — Version 1.5.0 It was impossible to publish a post (which was never saved as a “Draft”) because of the server-side check. It is no longer. 1.5.0
2. — Version 1.4.1 Fix to crude Gutenberg compatibility in JS 1.4.1
3. — Version 1.4.0 Crude-and-quick Gutenberg compatibility 1.4.0
4. — Version 1.3.0 Fixing an issue where the PHP didn’t stop the post from publishing, if it were invoked Fixing an issue where the size warning banner would flash on in Chrome erroneously 1.3.0
5. — Version 1.2.3 Fixing an issue that would make the plugin seem not to work when newly installed. Adding composer.json and Japanese translation. 1.2.3
6. — Version 1.2.2 Lots of code style changes for better readability and comprehensibility. 1.2.2

Automated install-time checks, tested on PHP 7.2.16 · WP 5.3.1

Translated into 117 languages, 12 at 90% or more

Plus 93 more locales with partial translations.

Growth timeline

Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow

1. 2026-05-05 4K+ → 3K+ down after 521 days in tier
2. 2024-11-30 5K+ → 4K+ down after 405 days in tier
3. 2023-10-22 6K+ → 5K+ down after 336 days in tier
4. 2022-11-20 7K+ → 6K+ down after 5 days in tier
5. 2022-11-15 6K+ → 7K+ up after 2 days in tier
6. 2022-11-13 7K+ → 6K+ down

Competes with

The plugins that solve the same job, ranked by shared tags then reach, closest match first. The letter on the right is each plugin's health grade (A best, F worst).

• SEO Friendly Images 20K+ installs · 3.2★ · 3 shared tags F
• A Add From Server 60K+ installs · 4.6★ · 2 shared tags D
• R Revision Control 40K+ installs · 4.3★ · 2 shared tags D
• W WP Admin UI Customize 30K+ installs · 4.4★ · 2 shared tags C
• Radio Buttons for Taxonomies 20K+ installs · 4.8★ · 2 shared tags C
• S ShowID for Post/Page/Category/Tag/Comment 7K+ installs · 4.3★ · 2 shared tags D

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Require Featured Image: 3K+ active installs, 3.9★ (16 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-08-29. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/require-featured-image