What is a category in WordPress?
In WordPress, a category is used to group related posts. In this article we will show you how to Create categories in WordPress.
When you create a new post, you have the option to assign it to one or more categories. This can help your readers find similar content on your website more easily.
Categories can also be used to divide your posts into different sections. For example, you could create a separate category for each different type of article on your blog. Categories can also be used in conjunction with keywords to further refine the content of your website.
How to create a category in WordPress
By default, WordPress comes with some predefined categories, but you can also create your own. Here is how to do it:
- First log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to the "Posts -> Categories" page. Here you will find a list of all existing categories. To add a new category, simply enter its name in the field at the top of the page and click on the "Add new category" button.
- Next, you need to assign some posts to your new categories. To do this, edit each post you want to include in the category and scroll down to the "Categories" section. Check the box next to your new category and then save your changes.
That's it! You have successfully created a new category in WordPress.
By grouping related posts in this way, you can help your readers find the information they're looking for more easily. It can also make your website more organized and user-friendly.
To add posts to a category in WordPress
Adding a post to a category in WordPress is a straightforward process:
- First, log in to your WordPress account and go to the "Posts" section.
- Then click on the "Add new" button. You can now create your new post.
- When you have finished writing your post, scroll down to the "Categories" section on the right-hand side of the page. Here you can select the appropriate category for your post.
- Finally, click on the "Publish" button to save your changes.
To delete a category in WordPress
To delete a category in WordPress, you should follow the steps below:
- First go to the "Contributions" section.
- Then find the category you want to delete and move the mouse cursor over it. A trash icon should appear - click it to delete the category.
- Finally, empty the recycle bin by going to the "Extras" section and clicking on "Empty recycle bin".
Please note that deleting a category may also delete all posts associated with that category. WordPress might also move the posts to the "Uncategorized" category, which might not look very professional. So if you want to keep one of the posts or want to make sure your website looks professional, move it to another category first.
To change the order of the categories
To change the order of categories in WordPress, you can customize how your content is displayed by accessing the "Categories" page in the "Posts" section of your WordPress dashboard.
Once you are on this page, you will see a list of all the categories you have created. To change the order, simply drag and drop the categories into the desired order. You can also use the "Parent" drop-down menu to nest categories under each other.
To create a child category in WordPress
Creating a child category in WordPress is easy, provided you already have a parent category set up. Here is how it is done:
- Go to the "Posts" section and select "Categories".
- Find the parent category you want to use and move the mouse pointer over it. A new link will appear - click on "Add new category".
- Give your child category a name and slug, then click on the "Parent" drop-down menu and select the corresponding parent category.
- Finally, click on "Add new category" and your subcategory will be created!
To edit categories, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Categories" link. This will display a list of all categories on your website. To edit a category, simply click on the "Edit" link next to the category name.
- This way you can change the name, slug, description and parent category of the category.
- Once you have made your changes, simply click on "Update category" to save them.
How to display categories in WordPress
Displaying categories in WordPress can help to organize your content. You can do this using a category widget under "Appearance" " "Widgets". Then simply drag and drop the widget into any sidebar on your website.
The category widget shows all your active categories, except those without posts.
You can choose whether your categories should be displayed as a drop-down menu or as a list. If you select the "Show hierarchy" option, subordinate categories are formatted with a special style, such as an indent before the name.
Please note that this particular option depends on your selected theme. If you do not select "Show hierarchy", all your categories will look the same, regardless of whether they are parent or child categories.
Categories vs. Tags (What's the difference?)
Categories and tags are two methods for organizing content on your WordPress website. They are used to divide posts into thematic groups and make it easier for users to find content. The main difference between categories and tags is their usage and functionality.
Categories are usually used to define broad subject areas or main categories. They represent the main sections of your website and are used to roughly group posts. For example, in a blog about cooking, you might create categories for recipes, kitchen tips, and cooking utensil reviews. A post is usually assigned to only one category, which allows users, Contributions to a specific topic easy to find.
Tags, on the other hand, are more flexible and are used to associate specific keywords or catchphrases with a post. They are useful for providing detailed information about the content of a post. For example, a recipe post might include tags for ingredients, type of dish, and difficulty. Unlike categories, tags can be assigned to multiple posts, providing a more precise way to organize content.
In summary:
- Categories are used to define broad subject areas or main categories.
- A post is usually assigned to only one category.
- Tags are more flexible and are used to associate specific keywords or catchphrases with a post.
- Tags can be assigned to multiple posts.
Both categories and tags are useful tools for organizing WordPress websites, but should be used in different ways. Categories are best for roughly grouping similar content, while tags are used to describe specific aspects of a post. WordPress users can effectively use both categories and tags to ensure that their content is easy to find and navigate.
How to convert categories to tags in WordPress
If you want to convert categories into tags, you can do this with the "Category and tag converter" in WordPress. Proceed as follows:
- Click on "Extras" " "Import" in your WordPress dashboard.
- Search for the "Category and tag converter" and click on the "Run importer" button.
- A pop-up window opens and offers you the option to install the importer. Click on "Run Importer" again.
- Activate the plugin, choose the desired conversion option from the drop-down menu and select the elements you want to convert.
- Click on "Convert" to complete the process.
This way you can convert categories to tags or vice versa, depending on your requirements. Note, however, that it is advisable to backup your website before making any major changes to your content categorization.