Overview
MediaValet can automatically identify exact duplicate files within your DAM, helping you keep your library clean and organized. This feature is available to all customers and supports all file types.
A duplicate is defined as an exact file match based on the hash (MD5) of the original uploaded file. Files are considered duplicates only when the uploaded file content is identical — metadata entered within MediaValet (such as titles, descriptions, or keywords) does not affect duplicate detection.
Note: Embedded metadata (such as EXIF or IPTC data baked into the file itself) is part of the file hash. Two files that are visually identical but contain different embedded metadata will not be flagged as duplicates.
Viewing Duplicates for an Asset
Select an asset and open the Side Panel or Detail View.
Navigate to the Duplicates tab.
Note: The position of the Duplicates tab can be customized — you can drag it to reorder your tabs.
If the selected asset has exact duplicates in the DAM, they will be listed here. If no duplicates exist, a message will confirm that none were found.
Note: MediaValet respects your existing library access permissions. You will only see duplicates for assets in libraries you have access to.
Managing Duplicate Assets
When duplicates are found, you can take action to clean up your library:
From the Duplicates tab, click Manage Assets. This opens a filtered view showing all duplicate copies of the file.
From this view, you can:
Use list view to review metadata side by side, making it easier to determine which copy to keep.
Perform bulk actions on selected duplicates, including deletion.
Before Deleting Duplicate Assets
⚠️ Important: Before deleting any duplicate assets, we strongly recommend reviewing the following for each copy:
Metadata - Each duplicate may have different titles, descriptions, keywords, or custom attributes applied within MediaValet. Deleting an asset removes all associated metadata permanently.
Shared content - Check whether the asset has been shared via web galleries, branded portals, CDN links, or integrations. Deleting an asset will break any active links or embeds that reference it.
Categories and collections - Duplicates may be organized in different categories or collections. Removing one may affect how users discover content.
Deleted assets cannot be recovered. Take the time to confirm which copy is the best one to keep before removing others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What file types are supported?
All file types uploaded to MediaValet are supported for duplicate detection.
Does editing metadata in MediaValet create or remove duplicates?
No. Metadata entered within the MediaValet platform (titles, descriptions, keywords, etc.) is stored separately from the original file and does not change the file hash. Only the content of the originally uploaded file determines duplicates.
What if I re-upload the same file with different embedded metadata?
If the embedded metadata (e.g., EXIF data) differs, the file hash will be different and the files will not be identified as duplicates - even if they appear visually identical.