Table of contents

Why Google Docs is popular for content creationCommon challenges when moving Google Docs content into WordPressMethod 1: Manual copy and paste (with cleanup)Method 2: Use the Docswrite plugin (recommended)What about a Google Docs add-on or Chrome extension?Handling images from Google DocsMaintaining SEO and accessibility during importTips for collaborative editorial workflowsFinal comparison: Which method is best?Getting startedAdditional resources

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WordPress Guide → Post → Google Docs to WordPress

How to move content from Google Docs to WordPress

Google Docs makes writing and editing content a breeze—but moving that content to WordPress can be frustrating. From broken formatting to missing images, it’s easy to lose polish and structure if you don’t use the right approach. Here’s how to move Google Docs content into WordPress the smart way.

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Why Google Docs is popular for content creation

Most content teams rely on Google Docs to draft and collaborate because it’s flexible, user-friendly, and built for teamwork. Some key benefits include:

Real-time collaboration with multiple authors
Built-in version control and commenting
Cloud-based access from any device
Easy sharing with stakeholders, clients, or editors

But while writing is smooth in Docs, publishing to WordPress isn’t always as seamless.

Common challenges when moving Google Docs content into WordPress

If you copy and paste straight from Google Docs into WordPress, you’ll probably run into issues like:

Broken or inconsistent formatting
Extra inline styles or span tags
Images that don’t upload correctly—or at all
Lost heading structure or hyperlink problems
Accessibility and SEO gaps (missing alt text, bad markup)

Avoiding those issues starts with using the right method.

Method 1: Manual copy and paste (with cleanup)

For quick drafts or short blog posts, manual copy and paste can work, but expect to clean things up afterward.

When it’s useful

Short, simple posts
Content with few images
Occasional publishing

Steps to follow

Copy content from your Google Doc
Paste into the WordPress block editor
Click “Convert to blocks” if needed
Reapply headings and links where formatting broke
Download and upload images manually
Add alt text, metadata, categories, and tags

Pros and cons

Pro: No plugins or setup required
Con: Tedious for long-form content or posts with images

Method 2: Use the Docswrite plugin (recommended)

For anyone who publishes regularly from Google Docs, Docswrite is the best plugin currently available. It works with WordPress.org, handles formatting and images, and connects directly to your Google account.

A note on outdated plugins

You may have heard that plugins like Wordable or Mammoth .docx converter can help move content from Google Docs to WordPress. That advice is outdated—neither plugin has been tested with the latest three major WordPress releases. Formatting bugs and compatibility issues are common.

Stick with something that's actively maintained and tested, like Docswrite.

What Docswrite does

Docswrite connects your Google Drive to your WordPress dashboard and adds a sidebar to Google Docs. From there, you can push content directly into your WordPress site without leaving the doc.

It retains:

Paragraphs, headings, and lists
Hyperlinks and quotes
Images (and uploads them to your Media Library)

How to use Docswrite

Install and activate the Docswrite plugin in WordPress.
Follow the plugin’s setup guide to link your Google account.
Open your Google Doc and install the Docswrite sidebar.
Authorize your WordPress site and push content directly from Docs.
Finalize the post in WordPress—add SEO data, categories, etc.

Pros and cons

Pro: Free, works with WordPress.org, preserves images and formatting
Con: Requires Google API setup (one-time process)

What about a Google Docs add-on or Chrome extension?

Some writers prefer browser tools or Google Workspace add-ons to move content over. These can be helpful—but only if they support WordPress.org.

What works (and what doesn’t)

Docs to WordPress: This Google Docs add-on works only with WordPress.com—not WordPress.org sites.
Browser extensions: Some Chrome extensions claim to preserve rich text formatting when pasting into WordPress, but most are hit-or-miss.

Because there’s no currently verified Chrome extension that integrates cleanly with WordPress.org, we don’t recommend relying on this method unless your workflow is very light.

Handling images from Google Docs

Images are the biggest pain point when copying from Google Docs into WordPress.

Why images break

Google Docs stores images as embedded objects, not as standalone files. When you paste, the link usually breaks or hotlinks back to Google. This results in missing or unoptimized media on your live post.

How to fix it

Best option: Use Docswrite, which downloads and uploads images to your Media Library automatically.
Manual option: Right-click each image in your Google Doc, download it, and upload to WordPress using the Media Library or block editor.
For bulk image management: Use Media Sync to scan and import multiple files at once.

Maintaining SEO and accessibility during import

Formatting isn’t the only thing that can get lost in the move—SEO and accessibility often suffer too.

What to check

Headings: Use a clear heading hierarchy (H1 for title, H2 for sections, H3 for subsections)
Alt text: Add descriptive alt text to all images
Links: Double-check that internal and external links are correct
Metadata: Don’t forget SEO titles, meta descriptions, tags, and categories
Preview: Use mobile preview to make sure spacing and layout look right

Tips for collaborative editorial workflows

If your team writes in Docs and publishes to WordPress, streamline your publishing process with a consistent workflow.

Example workflow

Draft and review in Google Docs
Use Docswrite to push content into WordPress
Assign roles in WordPress for authors and editors
Use a plugin like PublishPress to manage status, schedules, and approvals

This gives you the best of both worlds: a flexible writing environment with structured publishing control.

Final comparison: Which method is best?

Here’s how each method stacks up for different needs:

Feature	Manual Copy/Paste	Docswrite
Keeps formatting	Partial	Yes
Keeps images	No	Yes
SEO-friendly	Manual	Mostly
Cost	Free	Free
Best for	Simple posts	Regular publishing

Getting started with moving content from Google Docs to WordPress

Getting content from Google Docs into WordPress doesn’t have to be messy. The right method can preserve your formatting, images, and SEO data—saving you hours of cleanup.

If you publish frequently, Docswrite is the smartest and most future-proof option. For smaller sites, manual paste works if you’re willing to do some extra cleanup.

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