How to search and filter images

As your product catalog grows, scrolling through hundreds of images to find the right one wastes valuable time. PixelFiddler’s Media Library gives you a search bar, tag-based filtering, sorting options, and flexible view modes so you can locate any image in seconds.

The search bar

At the top of the Media Library you will find a search bar. Start typing and results appear in real time — no need to press Enter or wait for a page reload. When you want to clear your search, click the X button on the right side of the search bar to reset the view and show all files again.

Two search modes

A small dropdown next to the search bar lets you switch between two search modes. Choose the one that fits how you want to find your images.

Search by filename

This is the default mode. It matches your query against file and folder names. If you type sneaker, you will see every file and folder whose name contains that word.

This mode works best when your files follow a consistent naming pattern.

Search by tags

Switch the dropdown to Tags and the search bar filters images by their tags instead. Tags can be added manually or generated automatically by PixelFiddler’s AI auto-tagging feature. For example, searching for red will surface every image tagged with that color, regardless of the filename.

Tip

Tag-based search is especially powerful for product photos. Even if a file is named IMG_4021.jpg, the AI tagger may have labeled it with dress, summer, floral — making it easy to find later.

Sorting your images

Above the file grid you will find sorting controls that let you reorder images in two ways:

• By Name — sorts files alphabetically, useful when you follow a naming convention
• By Date Added — sorts files by the time they were uploaded, useful for finding recently added photos

Each option can be toggled between ascending (A-Z or oldest first) and descending (Z-A or newest first) order. Click the sort option again to reverse the direction.

View modes

PixelFiddler offers two ways to browse your Media Library. Switch between them using the view toggle in the toolbar.

Grid view

The default view displays images as a thumbnail grid. This is ideal for visual browsing — you can quickly scan product photos and spot the one you need by appearance alone.

List view

List view presents your files in a table format with columns for the filename, size, date added, and other details. This is helpful when you need to compare file metadata at a glance or when working with a large batch of similarly looking images.

Pagination and infinite scroll

You do not need to click through numbered pages. The Media Library uses infinite scroll — as you scroll down, the next batch of images loads automatically. This keeps your browsing experience smooth and uninterrupted, even in libraries with thousands of files.

Note

If your library is very large, combining search or tag filtering with sorting will help you get to the right images faster than scrolling alone.

Tips for making search easier

A little upfront effort with naming and tagging saves a lot of time later. Here are some practical habits that will keep your Media Library organized.

Use descriptive filenames

When uploading images, give them names that describe what is in the photo. A clear pattern makes filename search far more effective.

Good examples:

• blue-running-sneaker-side.jpg
• floral-summer-dress-front.jpg
• ceramic-mug-white-lifestyle.png

Avoid generic names like:

• IMG_4021.jpg
• photo-final-v2.jpg
• screenshot.png

Tip

A simple naming formula that works well for e-commerce is product-name-color-angle. For example: leather-wallet-brown-open.jpg.

Add tags to your images

Tags make images discoverable even when filenames are not descriptive. You can add tags in two ways:

• Manually — select an image and add your own tags in the details panel
• AI auto-tagging — let PixelFiddler analyze the image and generate relevant tags automatically

The combination of both gives you the best coverage. Manual tags capture business-specific terms (SKU numbers, collection names) while AI tags capture visual attributes (colors, objects, scenes).

Organize with folders, search for specifics

Use folders for broad categories like Spring 2026, Footwear, or Lifestyle Shots. Within those categories, rely on search and tags to pinpoint individual images. This two-level approach keeps your library tidy without requiring an overly complex folder hierarchy.

Caution

Avoid creating deeply nested folder structures like Products > Clothing > Dresses > Summer > Floral > Red. Flat folders combined with tags are faster to navigate and easier to maintain.

Next steps

Now that you know how to find images quickly, explore these related features:

AI auto-tagging Let PixelFiddler automatically tag your images so they are always searchable

Image metadata View and edit detailed information about your images