A caption adds visible context beneath an image, while an image credit identifies its creator or required attribution. Keep both distinct from alternative text so the page communicates clearly to all readers.
IN THIS ARTICLE
01 Prepare the wording and permission details
Check the image's licence or your permission agreement and record any required creator name, source link or licence reference. A caption does not make an image lawful to use if permission is otherwise absent.
Write context that helps readers understand why the image is included. Avoid simply repeating the surrounding paragraph or filling the caption with unrelated keywords.
02 Add the caption in context
- Select the Image block in the page or the individual image inside a Gallery.
- Enter a concise caption using the supported caption field.
- Add the required credit in a clear form, with a meaningful source or licence link where appropriate.
- Review alternative text separately and adjust it for the image's purpose.
- Save and inspect the public page, including the caption's wrapping and contrast.
Does a Media Library caption automatically appear everywhere?
Library metadata can supply values when an image is inserted, but existing page blocks may retain their own caption or alternative text. Review the actual page occurrence when correcting a credit that appears in several locations.
If the same image is reused in different contexts, the credit may remain consistent while the explanatory caption changes. Keep the source record so future editors can verify the attribution rather than guessing from a filename.
03 Verify readability and links
Check captions on narrow screens and with increased text size. They should be visibly associated with the correct image and remain readable, even if styled smaller than the body text. Test external credit links and avoid sending visitors to an editing or private download URL.
If a theme hides captions or moves them into an overlay, review that behaviour before relying on the caption for essential information. Put critical explanations in the main text when necessary.
When replacing an image, update its caption and credit together. Reusing the old attribution on a different photograph can misidentify the creator and mislead readers even when the page's visual layout remains unchanged.