The pursuit of optimal Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for WordPress sites often leads to meticulous attention to detail. One such detail is the rel="author" attribute, designed to establish authorship for your blog content and enhance your site’s credibility in search results. However, many WordPress users encounter a frustrating issue: the rel="author" tag isn’t displaying as expected, particularly on the homepage. This can negate the potential SEO benefits and leave your content looking less authoritative. This guide delves into the reasons why this happens, and provides a detailed, step-by-step approach to resolving the issue, ensuring your authorship is properly recognized by search engines.
The Importance of ‘rel=author’ and Authorship Markup
Before diving into troubleshooting, it’s crucial to understand why rel="author" matters. In the past, Google prominently displayed author information – including a profile picture – alongside search results for articles. This visual cue helped users identify credible sources and increased click-through rates. While the visual prominence has diminished, the underlying principle remains vital. Establishing authorship signals to Google that a real person is behind the content, boosting trust and potentially improving search rankings.
The rel="author" attribute is a link placed in the <head> section of your webpage that connects your content to your Google+ profile (now Google Profile). This connection verifies your authorship to Google. It’s a trust indicator, informing both Google’s algorithm and users that the content is created by a verified individual. This is particularly important for websites with multiple authors, as it clarifies who is responsible for each piece of content. Furthermore, the rel="me" attribute, used to link your website to your social media profiles, reinforces this connection and helps Google understand the relationship between your online presence.
Common Reasons for ‘rel=author’ Not Displaying
Several factors can prevent the rel="author" tag from functioning correctly. These range from plugin conflicts and theme incompatibilities to incorrect code implementation and Google profile settings. Understanding these potential causes is the first step towards a solution.
- Plugin Interference: Plugins like Yoast SEO are designed to simplify SEO tasks, including setting up
rel="author". However, sometimes these plugins can introduce conflicts or require specific configurations to work correctly. - Theme Compatibility: Not all WordPress themes are designed to fully support authorship markup. Some themes may override or ignore the
rel="author"tag added by plugins. - Incorrect Code Implementation: Manually adding the
rel="author"tag to your theme’s header requires precise syntax. Even a minor error can prevent it from being recognized by Google. - Google Profile Issues: Your Google Profile must be properly configured and linked to your website to be verified as an author. An incomplete or inaccurate profile can cause the verification process to fail.
- Caching: Caching plugins can sometimes store outdated versions of your website, preventing the updated
rel="author"tag from being displayed.
Troubleshooting Steps: A Systematic Approach
Addressing the issue requires a systematic approach. Start with the simplest solutions and progress to more complex ones.
1. Verify Plugin Configuration (Yoast SEO)
If you’re using Yoast SEO, the first step is to ensure it’s configured correctly. While Yoast SEO should automatically handle the rel="author" tag, it’s possible the settings are not optimal. Specifically, if your WordPress site functions as both a website and a blog, you might not want authorship displayed on all pages, especially the homepage.
To disable rel="author" on pages (but not posts), you need to edit a file within the Yoast SEO plugin. This involves:
- Locating the
class-frontend.phpfile inwp-content/plugins/wordpress-seo/frontend. - Opening the file in a text editor.
- Searching for the comment “Outputs the rel=author”.
- Finding the function named “author” below the comment.
- Changing
is_singular()tois_single(). - Saving the file.
This modification ensures the rel="author" tag is only added to single post pages, not static pages like your homepage.
2. Manual Code Implementation (If Not Using a Plugin)
If you’re not using a plugin, you’ll need to manually add the rel="author" tag to the <head> section of your website. The code should look like this:
<link rel="author" href="https://plus.google.com/YourGoogleAccountID/posts"/>
Replace YourGoogleAccountID with your actual Google Profile ID. Finding your Google Profile ID can be tricky, but it's usually a string of numbers found in your Google Profile URL.
3. Check Your Google Profile
Your Google Profile is the cornerstone of authorship verification. Ensure the following:
- Complete Profile: Your profile should be fully filled out, including a clear profile picture and accurate biographical information.
- Name Consistency: Your name on your Google Profile must match the name you use as the author on your WordPress site.
- Website Link: Your WordPress website should be listed in the “Links” section of your Google Profile.
- Verified Connection: Confirm that the link between your Google Profile and your website is verified within Google Search Console.
4. Theme Compatibility and Customization
If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, your theme might be the culprit.
- Check Theme Documentation: Consult your theme’s documentation to see if it explicitly supports authorship markup.
- Theme Customization: If your theme doesn’t support
rel="author", you may need to customize the theme’s code to add the necessary tag. This requires some coding knowledge and should be done with caution. Consider using a child theme to avoid losing your customizations during theme updates.
5. Clear Your Cache
Caching plugins store static versions of your website to improve loading speed. However, this can prevent the updated rel="author" tag from being displayed. Clear your website’s cache (and your browser’s cache) to ensure the latest version of your site is being served.
Comparing Solutions: Plugin vs. Manual Implementation
| Feature | Yoast SEO Plugin | Manual Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Very Easy | Difficult (Requires Coding Knowledge) |
| Maintenance | Automatic Updates & Configuration | Requires Manual Updates |
| Flexibility | Limited Customization | Full Customization |
| Potential Conflicts | Possible Plugin Conflicts | Less Prone to Conflicts |
| Cost | Free/Premium | Free |
As the table illustrates, using a plugin like Yoast SEO is generally the easier and more convenient option. However, manual implementation offers greater flexibility and control, but requires technical expertise.
Addressing Author Assignment Issues
Sometimes, the rel="author" tag is present, but the author information isn’t displayed on the post itself. This usually indicates an issue with author assignment.
- Check Author Assignment: Edit the post in question and verify that the correct author is selected in the “Author” dropdown menu.
- Enable Author Display: Go to Settings > Discussion in your WordPress dashboard and ensure that the “Display name publicly as” option is not set to “None.”
Final Thoughts: The Ongoing Importance of Authorship
Establishing authorship in WordPress SEO is a nuanced process. While Google’s emphasis on visual author displays has lessened, the underlying principle of verifying authorship remains crucial for building trust and improving search rankings. By systematically troubleshooting the common issues outlined in this guide, you can ensure your rel="author" tag is functioning correctly, and your content is properly attributed to its creator. Remember to regularly review your Google Profile and plugin settings to maintain optimal authorship verification. The effort invested in establishing authorship is an investment in the long-term credibility and visibility of your WordPress website.