Community Suggestion: Be able to see where images are used

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Be able to see where images are used

New Feature Addition · Images & image management · Created by Comic Book Lady
declined
image duplicate orphan

What functionality is missing? What is unsatisfying with the current situation?

Currently, images that ae uploaded can pile up, even when they are no longer in use. Updated images are uploaded, and the old images become orphans. Sometimes, we may not remember where an image was used, leaving us unsure as to whether the image can be removed without borking up a page. In addition, duplicate images are uploaded, and both are linked to articles.

How does this feature request address the current situation?

The request is to add a "referenced in" or "found in" function that shows what articles an image is used in. It can be generated similarly to the ones for articles, creating a simple list that shows where images are in use. To be truly useful, this would include any usage of the image, including maps. If you run the search and nothing comes up, it is an indicator that the image is no longer being used, and is safe to remove if you so choose.

What are other uses for this feature request?

This can be used by those with limited space to free up storage more easily. It can also allow you to see where older images are still being used, and revisit those pages for any adjustments or updates.   Note: original suggestion by KahunaTheElder in 2021

The Team's Response

Thanks for the suggestion! While we can see how useful this would be, it would also require an immense amount of server load, so this is declined for technical reasons. The two tips offered by Those2Nerds in their comment are great:
1. You can replace an already-uploaded image with a new version, so you're not stuck with outdated versions: https://www.worldanvil.com/learn/images/images#replace
2. You can ctrl+k search for the image ID to find most references, though it won't catch prompt responses or things like cover images.
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Current score

38/300 Votes · +9900 points

Votes Cast

  • +300

    by katkanna
    on 2025-06-14 20:57

  • +100

    by spooktacular
    on 2025-06-11 07:01

  • +100

    by SebGreg732
    on 2025-06-10 17:27

  • +300

    by Exarx
    on 2025-06-10 08:41

  • +300

    by twinkylinky
    on 2025-06-09 19:48

  • +300

    by cow2face
    on 2025-06-07 12:05

  • +300

    by xKasumo
    on 2025-06-05 08:50
    I would love to have this

  • +100

    by Mahdi Avendesora
    on 2025-06-04 16:03

  • +300

    by Josh2143
    on 2025-06-04 15:29

  • +100

    by AshtonMcgee
    on 2025-06-04 07:27

  • +100

    by A Filthy Dryad
    on 2025-06-03 21:54

  • +300

    by graiffe
    on 2025-06-01 01:45
    Why isn't this a feature!

  • +100

    by Eatthatmuffin
    on 2025-05-31 02:19

  • +300

    by Graylion
    on 2025-05-31 01:17
    Extra big hell yeah!

  • +300

    by bphilippe
    on 2025-05-30 09:18

  • +300

    by rootyful
    on 2025-05-30 06:47
    Yes please. It would help with image cleanup.

  • +300

    by DewFox
    on 2025-05-30 05:24

  • +300

    by Dreadwish
    on 2025-05-30 01:06
    Would be very helpful for me.

  • +300

    by DragonHeart[8787]
    on 2025-05-29 17:32

  • +300

    by JetpackMonkey
    on 2025-05-29 02:26

  • +300

    by A Adorable Bananafolk
    on 2025-05-29 00:36

  • +100

    by ClaraSalizArt
    on 2025-05-28 11:28

  • +100

    by nnie
    on 2025-05-28 09:28

  • +300

    by World Smithy
    on 2025-05-27 04:57

  • +300

    by A Fierce Kobold
    on 2025-05-27 00:33

  • +300

    by Demongrey
    on 2025-05-27 00:31

  • +300

    by barriesaxxy
    on 2025-05-26 23:43

  • +300

    by JoellaKay
    on 2025-05-26 19:35

  • +300

    by DramaticDragons
    on 2025-05-26 18:30

  • +300

    by ss2020
    on 2025-05-26 16:04

  • +300

    by DaionGM
    on 2025-05-26 12:06

  • +100

    by A Wild Skeleton
    on 2025-05-26 10:47

  • +300

    by kaixabu
    on 2025-05-26 09:42

  • +300

    by LisaGrimm
    on 2025-05-26 06:08

  • +300

    by Jupiter Melichios
    on 2025-05-26 04:18

  • +300

    by Ratha
    on 2025-05-26 01:52

  • +300

    by Those2Nerds
    on 2025-05-25 22:59
    Fully in favor of this, plus two tips that can help find references/minimize unused images today:   1. You can replace an already-uploaded image with a new version, so you're not stuck with outdated versions: https://www.worldanvil.com/learn/images/images#replace   2. You can ctrl+k search for the image ID to find most references, though it won't catch prompt responses or things like cover images.

  • +300

    by Michael Chandra
    on 2025-05-25 20:30

  • +300

    by Comic Book Lady
    on 2025-05-25 18:13
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