If you’re a WordPress user, you can customize the excerpt length of your articles to attract readers. By default, WordPress limits excerpts to the first 55 words, but you can manually change this in the Theme Editor or use a plugin like Advanced Excerpt. Manually changing the excerpt length involves tweaking the code in the functions.php file. Using a plugin like Advanced Excerpt allows you to trim the excerpt, add a “Read More” link, and customize the last word. Changing the excerpt length can help engage readers and generate interest in your content. Happy editing!
If you are using WordPress, you probably already know how the platform automatically handles features like displaying excerpts of your articles. These excerpts serve as a teaser to entice readers to click and read the full article. However, did you know that you can customize the length of these excerpts in WordPress?
By default, WordPress limits excerpts to the first 55 words of your post. This might not always be enough to capture the essence of your content. One way to customize the excerpt length is by manually tweaking the code. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a coding expert to do this.
Manually Changing WordPress Excerpt Length
Here are the steps to manually change the length of an excerpt:
- Navigate to the Appearance tab and select Theme Editor.
- Open the functions.php file and insert the provided code snippet.
- Customize the word limit to your preference and save the changes.
Additionally, some themes may require you to edit the content.php file. Follow the specific instructions for your theme to ensure the excerpt length changes are applied correctly.
If manual coding seems daunting, another option is to use a WordPress plugin to change the excerpt length. The Advanced Excerpt plugin is a popular choice for this task, offering a user-friendly approach to customizing excerpts.
Changing WordPress Excerpt Length With a Plugin
To use the Advanced Excerpt plugin:
- Go to the Plugins section on your WordPress Dashboard and search for the plugin.
- Install and activate the plugin.
- Customize the plugin settings according to your preferences.
Customizing your excerpt length can enhance the overall user experience and make your content more engaging. Experiment with different lengths to find what works best for your audience. Happy editing!
