# Catalog and Enrich Your Media Extract, modify, and enrich your media files with metadata for better organization. [Get Started](/c/signup/) [Get Started](/c/signup/) [Documentation](/docs/robots.md#media-cataloging) No credit card needed · Cancel anytime vacation.jpg 4032 × 3024 GPS 40.7128°N, 74.0060°W Device iPhone 16 Pro Serial C02X…9QHV Sensitive metadata removed ### Know what is inside every file * **Extract dimensions, codecs, EXIF, and metadata** * **Classify files** * **Generate searchable tags** * **Create previews** * **Enrich DAM, PIM, CMS, and database records** * **Send metadata** via webhooks Hash files Fingerprint any file with MD5, SHA, or Blake2 algorithms for deduplication and integrity checks. Copyright & attribution Embed copyright notices, author information, and usage rights into your media files. Strip metadata Remove sensitive metadata like GPS locations and camera serial numbers for privacy. Build momentum ## Make your media library easier to use. Turn file properties into useful information for your product and your team. ### Help users find the right file Extract metadata your app can index, filter, and display. ### Make better playback choices Read codecs, dimensions, and duration before choosing the next step. ### Cut manual cataloging work Collect file properties automatically as uploads arrive. ### Spot matching files Generate file hashes your app can compare for exact duplicates. ### Bring order to old libraries Import stored media and extract metadata in a repeatable workflow. ### Build richer content experiences Combine technical metadata with AI labels and transcripts. Demo ## Preview and Enrich Media Files Generate a preview thumbnail and embed copyright, authorship, and keywords into any file — all in one Assembly. Uploading image… image.jpg ![Source photo](/imagemanipulation/water.webp?dpl=dpl_DyqBTfRNxHcL6HpUV1RykdCNndg9) Upload Preview Write tags Assembly Instructions (JSON) { "steps": { ``` ":original": { "robot": "/upload/handle" }, "previewed": { "use": ":original", "robot": "/file/preview", "width": 400, "height": 300, "format": "jpg", "resize_strategy": "fit" }, "tagged": { "use": ":original", "robot": "/meta/write", "data_to_write": { "copyright": "© Acme Studios 2026", "author": "Jane Doe", "keywords": "nature, wildlife" } } ``` } } Robots ## Robots for Media Cataloging At Transloadit, a Robot is an automated worker that performs a single task in your file pipeline — like hashing files, generating previews, or writing metadata. * [master-04.mp4sha2569f2b4c81d0a7e35f6c1e08ba47d92f13Duplicate of an existing uploadHash FilesFingerprint any file with MD5, SHA, or Blake2 algorithms for deduplication and integrity checks./file/hash](/docs/robots/file-hash.md) * [contract.pdftrailer.movcover.psd3 previews · one StepGenerate PreviewsCreate thumbnails from images, videos, and documents so you can preview content at a glance./file/preview](/docs/robots/file-preview.md) * [hero-shot.jpgcopyright© 2026 AcmeauthorStudio Teamkeywordsproduct, heroWrite MetadataEmbed copyright, authorship, and custom keywords into your files, or blank fields to strip them./meta/write](/docs/robots/meta-write.md) Your workflow. Your controls. ## Media cataloging without the pain Stop maintaining a toolbox of metadata utilities. Get file facts alongside processing. ### Read media properties Inspect available codecs, dimensions, duration, and other technical metadata. ### Use metadata in your workflow Pass extracted properties into filters, filenames, and processing parameters. ### Check file integrity Generate hashes to help your application verify and compare files. ### Write supported media tags Update supported metadata in images, videos, and audio with a dedicated step. ### Remove image metadata Strip metadata from image outputs when you do not want it published. ### Go beyond technical details Add image recognition or speech transcription to enrich your own catalog. ### Know the moment files are ready Use per-file callbacks and webhook requests when processing finishes. ### Bring your own storage Send results to Amazon S3, Cloudflare R2, Google Cloud Storage, Azure, and more. ### Keep spending in check Set a soft bill limit for alerts or a hard limit to stop processing. Try Transloadit ## Make your media metadata useful Read and write metadata as part of the same workflow that processes your files. Manual metadata editing Automated metadata operations Privacy concerns with GPS data Strip image metadata during resizing Inconsistent copyright info Write copyright metadata in your workflow Complex EXIF handling Read metadata as structured JSON Missing file metadata Inspect the metadata embedded in your files Separate metadata tools Integrated pipeline operations GDPR GDPR HIPAA HIPAA ISO 27001ISO27001 ISO 27001 AES-256 AES-256 SOC 2 Type II SOC 2 Type II [Try Transloadit for Free](/c/signup/) [Try Transloadit for Free](/c/signup/) No credit card needed · Cancel anytime ## Frequently asked questions What metadata can I extract from media files? Depending on the format, you can read properties such as dimensions, duration, codecs, bitrate, and embedded tags. Not every file contains every field, so your app should handle missing values. [Browse the metadata reference](/docs/api/metadata.md). Does Transloadit provide a searchable media library? Transloadit extracts and processes file information. Your application stores that information and builds the catalog, search, and permissions experience around it. [See the metadata available for your app](/docs/api/metadata.md). Can I use metadata to decide how a file is processed? Yes. Use metadata in Assembly Variables, dynamic expressions, and file filters. For example, dimensions can determine a resize step or route a file to a different branch. [Explore dynamic evaluation](/docs/topics/dynamic-evaluation.md). Can I detect duplicate files? Generate hashes with the file hash Robot and compare them in your application. Hashes help identify byte-for-byte matches; they do not identify visually similar images or different encodings of the same video. [See file hashing options](/docs/robots/file-hash.md). Can I write or remove metadata? Yes, for supported operations and formats. The metadata write Robot updates supported tags in images, videos, and audio. Image resizing can also strip image metadata before publishing. [Explore metadata writing](/docs/robots/meta-write.md). Can I catalog files already in storage? Yes. Import existing files, extract the information you need, and send the results to your application. Add AI labels or transcripts when you need more than technical properties. [Explore batch processing](/services/batch-processing.md). How can I estimate and control costs? Rates vary by operation and usage. Set a soft bill limit for alerts or a hard limit to stop processing. For larger workloads, ask about volume pricing and extra priority slots. [Estimate your workflow costs](/pricing.md).