By default when you add an image to your post content it’s got framed with <a> tags and linked to the original image. In most* cases you would like to remove image links as they might harm you SEO by:
- influence the bounce rate as user behavior gets worse. The user is scrolling your post, then a hand sign appears on the image, he clicks and finds himself in a dead-end. No navigation, no return to the homepage. Now he can just close the tab and end the session. And this is the last thing we ever wanted, right?
- losing page authority. Link juice from the post you wish to be in top with is transferred to yousite.com/image.jpg you don’t care at all. This is extra outgoing link from your post, which you don’t want.
Filter existing images on page load with the_content:
*mind that filtering your post content is not a good idea if you need to make permanent changes (read here why)
Remove links from images in posts permanently:
Stop images from being clickable in the future:
Or you can disable image links manually. Go to https://domain.com/wp-admin/options.php and set image_default_link_type to none.
* Why most cases, but not all? Cause you got to decide for every single website accounting on its goals, subject, and structure. Imagine you are a graphic designer and image links lead to high-resolution versions — that really add value to your page and give visitors what they expect. Sure you won’t mind links in this case.
