Forward: Embed Image Links replaces plain image URLs with the actual image they point to. Paste a direct image URL into a post, page, bbPress topic, reply, or forum description, and the plugin displays it as an embedded image on the front end.

The plugin also includes a simple width setting so large images can be scaled to fit the content area.

Key features

• Converts direct image URLs into image embeds automatically.
• Works in posts, pages, and bbPress content.
• Supports common image formats including JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, WebP, and SVG.
• Lets you set a maximum image width as a percentage of the content area.
• Translation-ready and bundled with common language files.

Good for

• Forums where users paste image links.
• Editorial workflows that need quick image previews from direct URLs.
• Sites that want lightweight image embedding without extra shortcodes.

Which image URLs are embedded?

Direct URLs ending in supported image extensions are embedded. Examples include .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .webp, and .svg.

Does this upload images to my media library?

No. The plugin displays the image from the original URL. It does not copy the file into WordPress.

Does this change my saved post content?

No. The direct URL stays in the post content. The image replacement happens when WordPress renders the content.

Can I control the displayed image size?

Yes. Open Settings > Forward: Embed Image Links and set the maximum width as a percentage of the content area.

Does this work with bbPress?

Yes. It runs on common bbPress topic, reply, and forum content filters.

1.3.17

• Avoid loading the plugin's image sizing script on AMP pages so the official AMP plugin can generate valid AMP image markup.

1.3.16

• Add Forward: Custom Login Page to the More Forward plugins teaser list.

1.3.15

• Add a responsive More Forward plugins teaser section with plugin icons to the settings screen.

1.3.14

• Move settings screen styles into an enqueued admin stylesheet for cleaner WordPress.org checks.

1.3.13

• Remove the legacy manual textdomain loader so WordPress.org can load translations automatically without Plugin Check warnings.

1.3.12

• Apply the Forward color palette to the settings screen, including light and dark color modes.

1.3.11

• Improve responsive behavior for the settings screen on narrow admin viewports.

1.3.10

• Replace the dynamic PHP JavaScript endpoint with a normal enqueued script for cleaner WordPress.org checks.

1.3.9

• Correct the Forlæns author URL to forlaens.com.

1.3.8

• Add the shared Forward icon to plugin assets and the settings screen.

1.3.7

• Refresh the settings screen with a cleaner, modern WordPress admin layout.

1.3.6

• Add bundled translations for common languages.
• Improve admin security with capability checks, nonces, sanitization, and safe redirects.
• Escape admin output and generated image URLs.
• Avoid replacing image URLs that are already inside existing HTML tags.
• Remove donation prompts from the plugin screen and readme.
• Remove obsolete direct-access messaging and unnecessary output buffering.

1. Install the plugin from Plugins > Add New, or upload the embed-image-links folder to /wp-content/plugins/.
2. Activate the plugin from the Plugins screen in WordPress.
3. Open Settings > Forward: Embed Image Links.
4. Set the maximum image width if you want large images to be scaled down.
5. Paste a direct image URL into a post, page, or supported bbPress field.

Settings screen with the maximum image width option.



Example post content before publishing with a direct image URL.



Frontend output where the URL is displayed as an embedded image.