=== 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!
