How to display related posts in WordPress?

If you’re a WordPress website owner or blogger, you’ve probably heard of the term “related posts.” These are links or snippets that appear at the end of your articles, showcasing other relevant content on your site. Implementing related posts is an excellent way to engage your readers further, increase page views, and reduce bounce rates.

In this comprehensive guide, we will show you how to display related posts in WordPress with examples.

Why Display Related Posts?

Before we dive into the technicalities, let’s understand why displaying related posts is essential for your WordPress website:

1. Improved User Engagement

Related posts encourage visitors to stay on your site for longer by providing them with more content that aligns with their interests. This boosts user engagement and reduces the likelihood of them leaving your site.

2. Increased Page Views

When users click on related posts, it results in additional page views for your website. This not only enhances your site’s overall performance but also presents more opportunities for conversions and ad revenue.

3. Enhanced SEO

Displaying related posts can improve your website’s search engine optimization (SEO). When users spend more time on your site and view multiple pages, search engines interpret this as a sign of quality content and may rank your site higher.

4. Reduced Bounce Rate

A lower bounce rate indicates that users are finding your content engaging and relevant. By offering related posts, you can keep users on your site and reduce your bounce rate.

Now that we’ve covered the why let’s move on to the how.

Step-by-Step Guide to Related Posts Using Plugins in WP

Step 1: Install and Activate a Related Posts Plugin

To display related posts in WordPress, you’ll need a plugin. One popular choice is the “Yet Another Related Posts Plugin” (YARPP). Here’s how to install and activate it:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
3. In the search bar, type “Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.”
4. Click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”

Step 2: Configure Plugin Settings

After activation, configure the plugin settings to tailor related posts to your site’s needs:

1. Go to Settings > YARPP.
2. Adjust display options such as thumbnails, titles, and content.
3. Fine-tune relevance settings to ensure the related posts are accurate.
4. Save your changes.

Step 3: Add Related Posts to Your Content

With the plugin configured, it’s time to add related posts to your content:

1. Open the post or page where you want to display related posts.
2. Scroll down to the YARPP section.
3. Select the display option that suits your layout.
4. Update or publish your content.

Step 4: Review and Test

Before going live, review your post to see how the related posts appear. Ensure that they are relevant and enhance the user experience. Make any necessary adjustments.

Step 5: Monitor and Optimize

After implementing related posts, regularly monitor their performance through analytics. Optimize the plugin settings and related post suggestions to continuously improve user engagement and page views.

In conclusion, displaying related posts in WordPress is a valuable strategy to enhance user engagement, increase page views, and improve your website’s SEO. By following this step-by-step guide and using plugins like YARPP, you can easily implement related posts on your site and reap the benefits.

How to Display Related Posts Using Custom Code in WordPress

Certainly! If you prefer not to use a plugin and want to display related posts using custom code in WordPress, you can follow these steps. Please note that this method requires some coding knowledge.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Backup Your Website

Before making any changes to your website’s code, it’s essential to back up your site. This ensures that you can restore it in case anything goes wrong.

Step 2: Open Your Theme’s Functions.php File

You’ll need to add custom code to your WordPress theme’s functions.php file. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to “Appearance” and select “Theme Editor.”

Step 3: Add Custom Code

In the Theme Editor, you’ll see a list of theme files on the right. Click on “Theme Functions (functions.php)” to open it.

Now, you can add the custom code to display related posts. Here’s an example of the code you can use:

// Custom function to display related posts
function custom_related_posts() {
    global $post;
    
    // Get the current post's categories
    $categories = wp_get_post_categories($post->ID);
    
    if ($categories) {
        $related_args = array(
            'category__in' => $categories,
            'post__not_in' => array($post->ID),
            'posts_per_page' => 5, // Number of related posts to display
            'orderby' => 'rand', // You can change this to 'date' or 'title' for a different order
        );
        
        $related_query = new WP_Query($related_args);
        
        if ($related_query->have_posts()) {
            echo '<div class="related-posts">';
            echo '<h3>Related Posts</h3>';
            
            while ($related_query->have_posts()) {
                $related_query->the_post();
                
                // Display related post title and link
                echo '<a href="' . get_permalink() . '">' . get_the_title() . '</a><br>';
            }
            
            echo '</div>';
        }
        
        wp_reset_postdata();
    }
}

Make sure to customize the code according to your preferences. You can adjust the number of related posts to display ('posts_per_page') and the order in which they appear ('orderby').

Step 4: Save Changes

After adding the code, click the “Update File” button to save your changes.

Step 5: Add the Function to Your Posts

To display related posts on your individual post pages, you’ll need to call the custom_related_posts() function in your single post template file. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to “Appearance” and select “Theme Editor.”
2. On the right, find and click on “Single Post (single.php)” to open it.
3. Locate where you want to display related posts (usually at the end of the post) and add this code:

<?php custom_related_posts(); ?>

Step 6: Save and Test

Once you’ve added the code, click the “Update File” button to save your changes. Now, visit one of your individual blog posts to see the related posts section in action.

That’s it! You’ve successfully displayed related posts using custom code in WordPress. Remember to test thoroughly to ensure it works as expected on your site.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)