REST API Featured Image
Enhance your WordPress REST API by adding a featured image URL field directly to API responses, improving performance by eliminating extra requests.
Consider an alternative
REST API Featured Image shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 600+ sites, is rated 4/5 and was last updated 1 year ago, and scores 40/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (600+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.8 (latest is 7.1)
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where REST API Featured Image stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| api performance | #70 |
| featured image | #64 |
| featured image url | #33 |
| rest-api | #36 |
| Wordpress REST API | #48 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
Rating breakdown
★★★★★★★★★★ 4 from 4 reviews
About REST API Featured Image
From the official readme · v0.9.2Description
REST API Featured Image is a lightweight yet powerful plugin that simplifies how to retrieve featured images via the WordPress REST API. By introducing a top-level field called featured_media_src_url, this plugin embeds the direct URL of the featured image into your REST API responses. This eliminates the need for additional API calls to fetch featured images, resulting in faster load times and enhanced site performance.
Key Features:
– Direct Access to Featured Image URL: Adds featured_media_src_url to REST API responses, providing immediate access to the featured image URL.
– Performance Optimization: Reduces the number of API requests, improving the speed and efficiency of your applications.
– Custom Post Type Support: Fully supports custom post types, allowing you to enable or disable the featured image URL field for specific post types through the admin settings.
– User-Friendly Configuration: Easy to install and configure without any coding.
Why Use REST API Featured Image?
When developing applications or themes that rely on the WordPress REST API, accessing the featured image typically requires an additional request for each post. This can be time-consuming and may negatively impact site performance. REST API Featured Image addresses this issue by including the featured image URL directly in the REST API response, saving you time and resources.
REST API Featured Image Field:
– featured_media_src_url
Installation
-
Upload the Plugin Files:
– Upload therest-api-featured-imagefolder to the/wp-content/plugins/directory.
– Or install the plugin directly through the WordPress plugins screen. -
Activate the Plugin:
– Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ screen in WordPress. -
Configure Plugin Settings:
– Navigate to the plugin settings page in the WordPress admin area.
– Select the post types for which you want to enable or disable the featured image URL field.
Frequently asked questions
How do I access the featured image URL from the REST API?
After installing and activating the plugin, the REST API responses for your selected post types will include a new field named featured_media_src_url. This field contains the direct URL to the featured image.
Does this plugin support custom post types?
Yes, the plugin fully supports custom post types. You can enable or disable the featured image URL field for any post type via the plugin’s settings in the admin area.
Will this plugin improve my site’s performance?
Absolutely. By eliminating the need for additional API requests to fetch featured images, your site’s performance and load times will improve.
Do I need any coding knowledge to use this plugin?
Not at all. The plugin is user-friendly and requires no coding skills. Simply install, activate, and configure your settings.
For developers
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FAQ
REST API Featured Image: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 13, 2026
Is REST API Featured Image free?
Yes. REST API Featured Image is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is REST API Featured Image safe to use in 2026?
REST API Featured Image shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 600+ sites, is rated 4/5 and was last updated 1 year ago, and scores 40/100 on our health check.
How many websites use REST API Featured Image?
REST API Featured Image is active on 600+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 10,376 times since it launched in October 2020. It was downloaded 204 times in the last 30 days.
Does REST API Featured Image work with WordPress 7.1?
REST API Featured Image is officially tested up to WordPress 6.8.11, while the latest release is 7.1.3. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
What PHP version does REST API Featured Image need?
REST API Featured Image requires PHP 7.4 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was REST API Featured Image last updated?
The latest version, 0.9.2, was released on August 6, 2025 (1 year ago).
Who makes REST API Featured Image?
REST API Featured Image is developed and maintained by uri.
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