Mastering File Metadata Management with ExifTool

Ever wondered why you should edit file metadata? In this video, we'll dive into the importance of metadata and show you how to manage it using ExifTool, a powerful tool for adding, removing, and editing metadata in various file formats. Whether you're organizing your photo collection, protecting your privacy by removing sensitive data, or enhancing your workflow with custom metadata, ExifTool has got you covered. Follow along with our step-by-step guide to become a metadata management pro!

Learn:
✅ Quick Setup (Ubuntu/Debian):

sudo apt update && sudo apt install libimage-exiftool-perl

✅ View Metadata:

exiftool image.jpg # Show JPG metadata
exiftool document.pdf # Show PDF metadata

✅ Remove Metadata:
1.Wipe ALL metadata:

exiftool -all= -overwrite_original file.jpg # For images
exiftool -all= -overwrite_original document.pdf # For PDFs

2.Remove specific tags:

# Remove GPS data from JPG
exiftool -GPS*= -overwrite_original photo.jpg

# Remove author/producer from PDF
exiftool -Author= -Producer= -overwrite_original report.pdf

3.Batch clean multiple files:

exiftool -all= -overwrite_original *.jpg # All JPGs
exiftool -all= -overwrite_original *.pdf # All PDFs

✅ Add/Edit Metadata:
1.Set basic info:

# For JPG: Title + Creator
exiftool -Title="Vacation Pic" -Artist="Your Name" -overwrite_original image.jpg

# For PDF: Author + Copyright
exiftool -Author="LinuxHowTo" -Copyright="© 2025" -overwrite_original file.pdf

2.Add custom metadata:

# Add keywords to JPG
exiftool -Keywords="Nature,Summer" -overwrite_original photo.jpg

# Add subject to PDF
exiftool -Subject="Financial Report" -overwrite_original doc.pdf

✅ Why Edit File Metadata?
Organization: Keep your files neatly organized by adding descriptive metadata.
Privacy: Remove sensitive information to protect your privacy.
Enhanced Workflow: Customize metadata to streamline your workflow and improve file management.
Compatibility: Ensure your files are compatible with various software by managing metadata correctly.

✅ Pro Tips:
✔ Test first: Omit -overwrite_original to preview changes.
✔ Supported formats: Works on JPG, PNG, PDF, MP4, and more.
✔ Batch process: Use *.ext to edit multiple files at once.

Example: Remove creator from all PDFs in a folder

exiftool -Creator= -overwrite_original *.pdf

Now you’re a metadata pro! 🎯
🔗 More info: https://exiftool.org/

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👉 Watch now and master metadata management!

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