The easiest way to migrate blog posts is to use the built-in WordPress export/import functionality. However, there may be cases when the website owner only wants to export a portion of their posts rather than all of them, and when that’s the case, there is something important to keep in mind.
If you export anything other than all content, WordPress will not include featured images. You could always manually add the featured images for sites with a small number of blog posts, but that is tedious and can prove to be a massive task for sites with many blog posts.
This guide provides a quick and easy way to migrate blog posts while keeping featured images in place.
Key Takeaways
- WordPress does not include featured images when you export anything other than All Content.
- To migrate posts with featured images, install the free plugin Export Media With Selected Content before exporting.
- In Tools, Export, choose Posts, then check Export Media With Selected Content, then download the export file.
- In Tools, Import, run the WordPress importer, upload the export file, and then check Download and import file attachments.
- This method is the fastest option when you need only some posts, not the whole site.
When To Use This Method
Use this method when you need to move only some posts, and you want featured images to follow.
How To Export Blog Posts With Featured Images
- Download, install, and activate Export Media With Selected Content (free)
- WordPress Dashboard > Tools > Export
- Select Posts (Note: If you want to import only a subset of your posts, you will need to specify the criteria in this step.)
- Check Export Media with Selected Content
- Click Download Export File
How To Import Blog Posts With Featured Images
- WordPress Dashboard > Tools > Import
- WordPress > Click Install Now
- WordPress > Click Run Importer
- Click Choose File
- Select your export file
- Click Upload file and import
- Choose the desired settings for the author(s) (Note: If you do nothing here, the default is for WordPress to try and assign the current Author of the posts.)
- Import Attachments > Check Download and import file attachments
- Click Submit
Frequently Asked Questions About Migrating WordPress Posts And Featured Images
Why Are Featured Images Missing After a WordPress Export?
Featured images are missing when you export anything other than “All Content.” In those cases, the default export does not bundle the media needed for featured images.
How Do We Export Only Some Posts and Keep Featured Images?
Use the Export Media With Selected Content plugin. In WordPress, go to Tools, Export, select “Posts,” set your filters for the subset you want, and then check “Export Media With Selected Content” before downloading the export file.
What Import Setting Makes Featured Images Show Up on the New Site?
During import, you must check “Download and import file attachments.” This tells WordPress to fetch the media files referenced in the export so featured images can attach to each post.
What Plugin Do We Need To Migrate Posts With Featured Images?
Install Export Media With Selected Content (free). It adds an export option that includes media when you export selected content like Posts.
What Happens If We Do Not Map Authors During Import?
WordPress will try to assign posts to the current user by default. If you want correct author attribution, choose the right author mapping during the import step.