If you’re seeing the message “Image EXIF settings restrict AI usage” when trying to generate AI SEO data (alt tags, captions, or descriptions), the issue is most likely related to your EXIF settings.
Why this happens #
When the “No AI Training” flag is enabled in an image’s EXIF data, AI models are prevented from processing that image. ShortPixel respects this flag, so any image with it set will block AI-based data generation.
Even if you later change the EXIF setting in ShortPixel’s options, images that were previously optimized will still retain their old EXIF data with the “No AI Training” flag, which continues to restrict AI access.
How to fix It #
To enable AI SEO generation for your images, you’ll need to reprocess your existing media so that the EXIF data is updated.
Follow these steps:
- Bulk restore your images: Go to Settings > ShortPixel > Tools > Bulk Restore and restore all optimized images from backup.
- Update the EXIF setting: After the restore is complete, go to Settings > ShortPixel > Image Optimization > EXIF Management and update the EXIF option to allow AI training.
- Bulk reoptimize your Media Library: Once the EXIF settings are updated, re-run a bulk optimization (Media > Bulk ShortPixel).
Why reoptimization is required #
The reoptimization step is necessary because the EXIF metadata is embedded within each image. Changing the setting alone doesn’t rewrite existing EXIF data; only restoring and reoptimizing the images applies the new configuration.