WordPress, by default, incorporates dates into post URLs and often displays them prominently within posts themselves. While seemingly innocuous, these dates can present challenges for long-term SEO, content freshness perception, and overall site aesthetics. This guide delves into the reasons why you might want to remove dates from your WordPress site, the various methods available, and the potential implications for your search engine optimization efforts. We’ll explore techniques ranging from simple plugin solutions to more advanced theme editing, providing a comprehensive overview for users of all technical skill levels.
The inclusion of dates in URLs isn’t inherently bad for SEO. In fact, when a site is new, dates can signal to search engines that content is actively being updated. However, as content ages, these dates can contribute to a perception of staleness, potentially impacting click-through rates and rankings. Furthermore, updating content with new information necessitates URL changes if the date is part of the permalink, creating potential broken links and lost SEO equity. Concise URLs, averaging around 9.2 characters shorter in top-ranking Google results according to Backlinko, are favored by search engines. Removing dates contributes to this conciseness.
Understanding WordPress Permalinks and Date Structures
Before diving into removal methods, it’s crucial to understand how WordPress handles URLs, known as permalinks. WordPress offers several permalink structures, each with varying degrees of date inclusion. These structures are defined within the WordPress admin panel under Settings > Permalinks.
Here’s a breakdown of common permalink structures and their impact on date visibility:
- Plain:
/index.php?p=123– No date information. Generally considered the least SEO-friendly. - Day and Name:
/2023/09/03/sample-post/– Includes year, month, and day. Most date-heavy structure. - Month and Name:
/2023/09/sample-post/– Includes year and month. A common default setting. - Numeric:
/archives/123– No date information, uses post ID. - Post Name:
/sample-post/– The most concise and often preferred structure for SEO. Contains only the post slug. - Custom Structure: Allows for user-defined permalink formats.
The “Post Name” structure is generally recommended for its simplicity and SEO benefits, as it focuses on relevant keywords rather than temporal data. However, transitioning to this structure on an established site requires careful consideration to avoid SEO disruption.
Methods for Removing Dates from WordPress
There are several approaches to removing dates from your WordPress site, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The best method depends on your technical expertise and the level of control you desire.
1. Utilizing WordPress Plugins
The easiest and most accessible method for most users is to employ a WordPress plugin. Several plugins are specifically designed to remove dates from posts, URLs, and metadata.
- WP Meta and Date Remover: A popular and highly-rated plugin that allows you to selectively hide dates from the frontend, backend, or both. It offers granular control over which metadata elements are displayed.
- WP Date Remover: This plugin focuses specifically on removing dates from posts and pages, offering category-specific control. You can choose to remove dates from specific categories while leaving them visible in others.
- Rank Math SEO: While primarily an SEO plugin, Rank Math also includes options to remove dates from URLs and meta descriptions.
Here's a step-by-step guide using WP Meta and Date Remover:
- Install and activate the plugin from the WordPress plugin directory (Plugins > Add New).
- Navigate to Settings > WP Meta and Date Remover.
- Select the desired options for hiding dates (frontend, backend, or both).
- Save your changes.
2. Editing Theme Files (Advanced)
For users comfortable with code, directly editing the theme files offers more control. This method involves modifying the content.php file (or a similar template file responsible for displaying post content) within your WordPress theme.
- Navigate to Appearance > Theme File Editor. Caution: Back up your theme files before making any changes!
- Locate the
content.phpfile (or the relevant template file). - Remove the code responsible for displaying the date. This code typically uses WordPress template tags like
the_date(). - Save your changes.
Important Note: Directly editing theme files can be risky. Any errors can break your site. Consider using a child theme to avoid losing your changes during theme updates.
3. Custom CSS (For Hiding Dates Visually)
If you only want to hide the date visually without removing it from the URL or underlying data, you can use custom CSS. This method doesn’t affect SEO directly but improves the aesthetic appearance of your posts.
- Navigate to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS.
- Add the following CSS code:
css
.entry-date {
display: none !important;
}
- Publish your changes.
This code targets the .entry-date class (which may vary depending on your theme) and hides the date element.
Comparing Plugin Options
Here's a comparison of the plugins mentioned, highlighting their key features:
| Feature | WP Meta and Date Remover | WP Date Remover | Rank Math SEO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Comprehensive metadata control | Date removal from posts/pages | SEO with date removal as a feature |
| URL Modification | No | No | Yes |
| Frontend/Backend Control | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Category Specificity | No | Yes | No |
| Ease of Use | High | High | Medium |
| Price | Free | Free | Free/Premium |
Addressing URL Changes and SEO Considerations
Removing dates from URLs on an established site requires careful planning to avoid SEO penalties. Here's a breakdown of best practices:
- 301 Redirects: Implement 301 redirects from the old date-based URLs to the new permalink-based URLs. This tells search engines that the content has permanently moved and transfers the SEO equity from the old URLs to the new ones.
- Update Sitemap: Update your XML sitemap to reflect the new URL structure. Submit the updated sitemap to Google Search Console.
- Monitor for 404 Errors: Regularly monitor your site for 404 errors using Google Search Console and fix any broken links.
- Internal Linking: Update internal links within your content to point to the new URLs.
When to Keep the Date
While removing dates is often beneficial, there are scenarios where retaining them might be preferable:
- News and Current Events Blogs: For sites focused on timely news or events, dates are crucial for establishing credibility and relevance.
- Time-Sensitive Content: If your content is inherently tied to a specific date (e.g., event recaps, seasonal guides), removing the date would diminish its value.
- Archival Purposes: Dates can be useful for users who are specifically searching for content from a particular time period.
The Bottom Line
Removing dates from WordPress posts and URLs can be a strategic move to enhance your site’s SEO, improve its aesthetic appeal, and create a perception of evergreen content. Whether you choose a plugin, theme editing, or custom CSS, carefully consider the implications for your existing content and implement appropriate redirects and updates to maintain your search engine rankings. By thoughtfully managing your permalink structure and metadata, you can optimize your WordPress site for long-term success.