WordPress/gutenberg

Pasting direct image URL inserts Embed block instead of Image block

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#74734 opened on Jan 19, 2026

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Good First Issue[Block] Embed[Feature] Paste[Status] In Progress[Type] Bug

Description

Description

When pasting a direct image URL into the WordPress/Gutenberg editor, the editor should insert the image (e.g., by creating an Image block). Instead, it attempts to treat the URL as embeddable content and inserts an Embed block.

Expected: Pasting a direct image URL (e.g., .jpg, .png, .gif, .webp) into the editor inserts the image (Image block) and displays it inline.

Actual: Pasting a direct image URL into the editor creates an Embed block / embed preview rather than inserting the image.

Step-by-step reproduction instructions

  1. Go to editor
  2. Try pasting a URL for an image (ex. https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/334289821-Baltimore_Oriole-Matthew_Plante.jpg)
  3. Embed block is shown

Screenshots, screen recording, code snippet

Environment info

  • WordPress 6.9, Default Gutenberg, Twenty Twenty Five
  • Chrome Version 143.0.7499.42 (Official Build) (arm64)
  • Mac OS Sequoia 15.7.3

Please confirm that you have searched existing issues in the repo.

  • Yes

Please confirm that you have tested with all plugins deactivated except Gutenberg.

  • Yes

Please confirm which theme type you used for testing.

  • Block
  • Classic
  • Hybrid (e.g. classic with theme.json)
  • Not sure

Contributor guide

Tech stack
javascriptreactcss
Domain
frontend
Issue type
bug
DifficultyEstimated implementation difficulty for a new contributor, from 1 for very small changes to 5 for expert-level work.
3
Estimated timeA rough time range for an experienced contributor to investigate, implement, test, and prepare a pull request.
half day
Activity statusHow available the issue appears right now: fresh, active, stale, blocked, or waiting on maintainer input.
blocked
ClarityHow clearly the issue explains the expected change, acceptance criteria, and next step.
clear
Prerequisites
React basicsGutenberg editor structurePaste event handling
Newbie friendlinessA 1-100 score estimating how approachable this issue is for first-time contributors.
35
Research direction
Look into the paste handling logic in the Gutenberg editor, specifically how URLs are categorized as embeddable vs. image. Check the `packages/block editor/src/components/rich text/paste.js` file or similar. The issue likely occurs where the URL is checked for embed providers before image URLs. A simple fix might involve checking if the URL ends with common image extensions and inserting an Image block instead of falling through to Embed.