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Zip Extraction

Zip extraction lets you upload multiple images and videos by uploading a single zip file. Instead of selecting 50, 100, or more individual files, you compress them into a zip file and upload once. Whathead automatically extracts all images and videos from the zip file and uploads them to your selected platforms. This dramatically reduces the time spent on asset management.
What you’ll learn:
  • When to use zip extraction
  • How zip extraction saves time
  • How to prepare zip files for upload
  • Supported file formats in zip files
  • How to handle extraction errors

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When to Use Zip Extraction

Zip extraction is most valuable when uploading large numbers of assets.

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Ideal Use Cases

Large asset libraries: When uploading 50+ files, zip extraction is significantly faster than selecting files individually. Client deliverables: When clients provide assets in zip files, upload directly without extracting manually on your computer. Organized folder structures: When your assets are organized in folders (by campaign, product, or season), zip the entire folder structure and upload. Batch processing: When processing assets in batches (e.g., weekly creative updates), zip each batch and upload. New account setup: When setting up a new ad account, zip your entire creative library and upload to all platforms at once.
Zip extraction saves the most time when uploading 50+ files. For smaller uploads (under 20 files), selecting files individually may be just as fast.

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When Not to Use Zip Extraction

Small uploads: For 5-10 files, selecting individually is faster than creating a zip file. Mixed file types: If your zip contains many non-image/video files (documents, spreadsheets), zip extraction will skip those files, which may be confusing. Platform-specific uploads: If different files need to go to different platforms, individual upload gives you more control.

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How Zip Extraction Saves Time

Zip extraction eliminates the most time-consuming part of asset management: selecting individual files.

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Time Comparison

Traditional individual file selection (100 files):
  • Navigate to folder: 30 seconds
  • Select files one by one or in groups: 5-10 minutes
  • Wait for file browser to load thumbnails: 2-3 minutes
  • Upload files: 5 minutes
  • Total: 12-18 minutes
Zip extraction (100 files):
  • Create zip file: 1 minute
  • Upload zip file: 2 minutes
  • Automatic extraction: 3 minutes
  • Total: 6 minutes
Zip extraction saves 50-70% of the time compared to individual file selection when uploading 50+ files. The time savings increase with more files.

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Additional Time Savings

No file selection errors: You don’t accidentally miss files or select the wrong files when using zip extraction. No browser limitations: Some browsers struggle with selecting hundreds of files at once. Zip extraction avoids this issue. Batch processing: You can prepare multiple zip files in advance and upload them when convenient, streamlining your workflow.
Create zip files during downtime (end of day, between meetings) and upload them when you’re ready to work on campaigns. This separates asset preparation from campaign creation.

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Zip Extraction Workflow

Follow this workflow to use zip extraction efficiently.

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Preparing Zip Files

1

Organize assets in folders

Create folders for your assets organized by campaign, product, or any structure that makes sense for your workflow.
2

Verify file formats

Ensure all files are in supported formats (JPG, PNG, GIF for images; MP4, MOV, AVI for videos). Remove or move unsupported files to a different folder.
3

Check file requirements

Verify files meet platform requirements (dimensions, file size). Files that don’t meet requirements will be flagged during extraction.
4

Create zip file

Right-click the folder (or select multiple folders/files) and choose “Compress” (Mac) or “Send to > Compressed folder” (Windows). This creates a .zip file.
5

Name zip file descriptively

Name the zip file to indicate its contents (e.g., “summer-sale-assets-2024.zip” or “product-launch-creative.zip”).
You can include nested folders in your zip file. Whathead extracts files from all subfolders automatically, maintaining your folder organization.

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Uploading Zip Files

1

Navigate to bulk media upload

Go to Settings > Media Management or use the bulk media upload feature from the Campaign Builder.
2

Select platforms

Choose which platforms should receive the extracted assets (Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, Google, or all).
3

Click Upload Zip

Click Upload Zip instead of Select Files.
4

Select zip file

Choose your prepared zip file from your computer.
5

Wait for extraction

Whathead uploads the zip file and automatically extracts all images and videos. This takes a few seconds to a few minutes depending on zip file size.
6

Review extracted files

See a list of all extracted files with validation status. Files that meet requirements are ready to upload; files with issues are flagged.
7

Fix validation errors

If any files fail validation, you can remove them from the upload or fix the issues and re-upload.
8

Confirm upload

Click Upload All to upload all valid files to selected platforms.
9

Monitor progress

Watch real-time progress indicators showing upload status for each file and platform.
Whathead extracts only image and video files from zip files. Other file types (documents, spreadsheets, text files) are automatically skipped and not uploaded.

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Supported File Formats in Zip Files

Whathead extracts and uploads only supported image and video formats.

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Extracted File Types

Images:
  • JPG / JPEG
  • PNG
  • GIF (if supported by target platform)
Videos:
  • MP4
  • MOV
  • AVI (if supported by target platform)
Ignored file types:
  • Documents (PDF, DOC, DOCX)
  • Spreadsheets (XLS, XLSX, CSV)
  • Text files (TXT, MD)
  • Compressed files (ZIP, RAR, 7Z)
  • Other formats (PSD, AI, SVG, etc.)
Only image and video files are extracted from zip files. If your zip contains other file types, they are skipped. Ensure your zip contains only images and videos for upload.

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Nested Folders

Whathead supports nested folder structures in zip files: 
summer-sale-assets.zip
├── images/
│   ├── product-1.jpg
│   ├── product-2.jpg
│   └── lifestyle/
│       ├── beach-scene.jpg
│       └── outdoor-scene.jpg
└── videos/
    ├── product-demo.mp4
    └── testimonial.mp4
All files in all subfolders are extracted and uploaded. Folder structure is preserved in the extraction list for your reference, but files are uploaded to the platform’s media library without folder organization (platforms organize assets differently).
Use nested folders to organize assets by type (images, videos), campaign, or product. This makes it easier to verify all files were extracted correctly.

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Zip File Requirements

Zip files must meet certain requirements for successful extraction.

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Zip File Specifications

Format: .zip only (not .rar, .7z, .tar, or other compression formats) Maximum size: 2 GB per zip file Maximum files: No hard limit, but 500-1000 files per zip is recommended for optimal performance Compression: Any compression level (standard, maximum, or no compression all work) Encryption: Unencrypted zip files only (password-protected zips are not supported)
Zip files larger than 2 GB will be rejected. If you have more than 2 GB of assets, split them into multiple zip files and upload separately.

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File Requirements Within Zip

Files inside the zip must still meet platform requirements:
  • Format: Supported image or video format
  • Dimensions: Meet minimum dimensions for target platforms
  • File size: Meet maximum file size for target platforms
Whathead validates each extracted file individually against platform requirements. Files that don’t meet requirements are flagged with specific error messages.

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Handling Extraction Errors

When extracting zip files, you may encounter errors. Here’s how to resolve them:

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Common Extraction Errors

Error: “Zip file size (2.5 GB) exceeds maximum (2 GB)”Cause: Zip file is larger than 2 GB.Resolution:
  • Split assets into multiple zip files (e.g., “assets-part1.zip”, “assets-part2.zip”)
  • Upload each zip file separately
  • Or compress files more aggressively to reduce zip size
  • Or remove large video files and upload them individually
Split large asset libraries by campaign, product, or time period to create smaller, more manageable zip files.
Error: “File format .rar is not supported. Use .zip format.”Cause: File is not a .zip file (it’s .rar, .7z, or another compression format).Resolution:
  • Extract the file on your computer
  • Re-compress as a .zip file using your operating system’s built-in compression
  • Upload the new .zip file
Error: “Zip file is corrupted and cannot be extracted”Cause: Zip file was not created correctly or was damaged during transfer.Resolution:
  • Re-create the zip file from the original assets
  • Verify the zip file opens correctly on your computer before uploading
  • Check your internet connection if the file was downloaded from elsewhere
Error: “Password-protected zip files are not supported”Cause: Zip file is encrypted with a password.Resolution:
  • Extract the zip file on your computer using the password
  • Re-compress the files without password protection
  • Upload the unencrypted zip file
Error: “No image or video files found in zip file”Cause: Zip file contains no supported image or video formats.Resolution:
  • Verify the zip file contains JPG, PNG, GIF, MP4, MOV, or AVI files
  • Check that files have correct extensions (not .txt, .doc, etc.)
  • Ensure files are not in nested zip files (zip within zip)
Error: “15 of 100 files failed validation”Cause: Some extracted files don’t meet platform requirements (dimensions, file size, format).Resolution:
  • Review the list of failed files and specific error messages
  • Choose to upload only valid files (skip failed files)
  • Or fix failed files (compress, resize, convert format) and re-upload
  • Or remove failed files from the upload and upload them individually later
You can proceed with uploading valid files even if some files fail validation. Failed files are simply skipped.

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Zip Extraction Best Practices

Organize before zipping: Organize assets in folders before creating the zip file. This makes it easier to verify all files were extracted correctly and helps you stay organized.
Use descriptive zip names: Name zip files to indicate contents and date (e.g., “summer-sale-assets-2024-06.zip”). This helps you track which assets you’ve uploaded.
Validate files before zipping: Check that all files meet platform requirements before creating the zip file. This reduces validation errors during extraction.
Keep zip files under 1 GB: While the limit is 2 GB, keeping zip files under 1 GB ensures faster upload and extraction. Split large libraries into multiple zip files.
Test with small zip first: When using zip extraction for the first time, test with a small zip file (10-20 files) to verify the workflow before uploading large batches.
Remove non-media files: Before zipping, remove documents, spreadsheets, and other non-media files. This prevents confusion when Whathead skips those files during extraction.
Use standard compression: Use your operating system’s built-in compression (right-click > Compress on Mac, Send to > Compressed folder on Windows). This ensures maximum compatibility.

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Combining Zip Extraction with Bulk Upload

Zip extraction works seamlessly with bulk media upload to maximize efficiency.

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Workflow: Zip Extraction + Bulk Upload

1

Prepare assets

Organize all assets for a campaign or time period in folders on your computer.
2

Create zip file

Compress the folders into a single zip file.
3

Upload to all platforms

Use bulk media upload with zip extraction to upload the zip file to all connected platforms (Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, Google) simultaneously.
4

Automatic extraction and upload

Whathead extracts all files from the zip and uploads them to all selected platforms in one operation.
5

Verify in media libraries

Check each platform’s media library to confirm all assets are available.
Combining zip extraction with bulk upload to multiple platforms provides maximum time savings. Upload once, distribute to all platforms automatically.

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Time Savings Example

Traditional approach (100 files to 4 platforms):
  • Select 100 files for Meta: 10 minutes
  • Upload to Meta: 5 minutes
  • Select 100 files for TikTok: 10 minutes
  • Upload to TikTok: 5 minutes
  • Select 100 files for Snapchat: 10 minutes
  • Upload to Snapchat: 5 minutes
  • Select 100 files for Google: 10 minutes
  • Upload to Google: 5 minutes
  • Total: 60 minutes
Zip extraction + bulk upload (100 files to 4 platforms):
  • Create zip file: 1 minute
  • Upload zip to all platforms: 3 minutes
  • Automatic extraction and upload: 8 minutes
  • Total: 12 minutes
Zip extraction combined with bulk upload saves 80% of the time when uploading to multiple platforms. This is the most efficient way to manage assets across platforms.

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Monitoring Extraction Progress

During zip extraction and upload, you see detailed progress information.

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Extraction Progress Indicators

Extraction phase:
  • Uploading zip file: Progress bar showing upload percentage
  • Extracting files: Count of files extracted (e.g., “Extracting… 45 of 100 files”)
  • Validating files: Count of files validated (e.g., “Validating… 45 of 100 files”)
Upload phase:
  • Files uploading: Progress bar for each file
  • Platform status: Success/failure for each platform
  • Overall progress: Percentage complete and estimated time remaining
Completion:
  • Summary: Total files uploaded, failed, and skipped
  • Platform breakdown: Files uploaded to each platform
  • Error details: Specific errors for failed files
You can minimize the progress panel and continue working in Whathead while zip extraction and upload run in the background. You’ll be notified when the process completes.

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Next Steps

Now that you understand zip extraction, explore these related topics:

Bulk Media Upload

Learn about uploading assets to multiple platforms simultaneously.

Upload Requirements

Verify your assets meet platform requirements before zipping.

Media Library

Browse and select uploaded assets from platform media libraries.

Cross-Platform Assets

Understand asset compatibility across platforms.

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Common Questions

There’s no hard limit on file count, but we recommend 500-1000 files per zip for optimal performance. For larger asset libraries, split into multiple zip files and upload separately.
Yes. Whathead extracts files from all folders and subfolders in the zip file. Folder structure is preserved in the extraction list for your reference, but files are uploaded to platform media libraries without folder organization.
Non-media files (documents, spreadsheets, text files, etc.) are automatically skipped during extraction. Only supported image and video formats are extracted and uploaded.
Yes. When using zip extraction, you select which platforms should receive the assets. You can select one platform, multiple platforms, or all platforms.
Files that don’t meet requirements are flagged during validation. You can choose to upload only valid files (skip failed files) or fix the issues and re-upload. Valid files can be uploaded even if some files fail.
Extraction time depends on zip file size and number of files. A zip with 100 files typically extracts in 1-3 minutes. Larger zips (500+ files) may take 5-10 minutes.
Yes. Click the Cancel button in the progress panel. Files that have already been extracted and uploaded remain in platform media libraries; pending files are not uploaded.
No. Both Mac and Windows have built-in zip compression. Right-click files/folders and choose “Compress” (Mac) or “Send to > Compressed folder” (Windows).
No. Password-protected (encrypted) zip files are not supported. Extract the zip on your computer and re-compress without password protection before uploading.
Zip extraction is a way to select multiple files at once (by uploading a zip file). Bulk upload is uploading to multiple platforms simultaneously. You can combine them: use zip extraction to select files, then bulk upload to send those files to all platforms at once.

Bulk Media Upload

Upload assets to all connected platforms using zip extraction.

Upload Requirements

Understand file format and size requirements for assets in zip files.

Media Library

Access uploaded assets from platform media libraries.

Platform Capabilities

See how zip extraction saves time compared to manual uploads.

Creating Your First Campaign

Learn how to use uploaded assets when creating campaigns.

Common Mistakes

Avoid common issues with asset uploads.