For quite some time, MD5 was the standard for hashing passwords, but today it is considered insecure and obsolete. Nowadays, WordPress adopts contemporary and more trustworthy algorithms such as bcrypt, but such protection is of no use should the website be poorly designed and use old plugins and other legacy software.

In this article, we share why MD5 is not trustworthy and share some tips on how to prevent WordPress MD5 hash decrypt exploits, to make your WordPress more secure and reliable.

What is MD5 Hash

MD5 is a system that hides your password behind a string of random symbols. For example, if your password is “abc123”, via MD5 it is masked like 0192023a7bbd73250516f069df18b500. This approach is designed to help you keep your password safe, and when working with databases, still see a hashed version of the pass, so no one steals it right away.

However, MD5 is already an old and obsolete technology that can be easily hacked. This is why contemporary developers have turned to other password protection methods and have slowly and completely abandoned MD5.

Read also: How to Change WordPress Password

Does WordPress Still Use MD5 Hash

New versions of WordPress no longer adopt MD5 hash, and instead they rely on PHP protection that is considered way better than the old-school hashing method.

However, there’s a chance your website can still use MD5 hash. Such occasions might be:

• You migrated a WordPress website and user database from an old system
• You use old versions of WordPress plugins
• You are using an old version of WordPress.

Regardless of the occasion, to prevent your website from being easily hacked, follow our tips in the next sections.

How to Prevent WordPress MD5 Hash Decrypt Exploits on Your Website

There are many steps you can take to prevent WordPress MD5 hash decrypt exploits and make your website more secure and reliable. Here are some suggestions.

1. Update WordPress Core

A simple way of preventing MD5 decrypt exploits and improving your website’s security is by using a fresh copy of the latest WordPress version available. It is highly advisable to constantly check and install updates, as they provide you with one more layer of protection. Read how to update WordPress and take the first step in preventing MD4 hash exploits on your website. Also, when updating WordPress, don’t forget to back up your website as a protection from unforeseen events.

Read also: How to Restore Your WordPress Website From a Backup

2. Update WordPress Plugins

A second straightforward method of preventing MD5 hash exploits is by updating your installed plugins to the latest version available. Similar to WordPress core, plugins should be constantly updated to make sure they function properly and don’t create technical issues on your website. As a rule of thumb, always use plugins from reliable developers and always back up your website before installing and using plugins.

3. Rehash Old MD5 Passwords

Should you use an old version of WordPress, chances are that some stored passwords are still hashed with the MD5 hash. Luckily, WordPress can update the old passwords the next time a user logs in. To make it happen, you can create a simple plugin and activate it on the go.

To start the process, log in to the AwradSpace hosting panel and head to File Manager:

Then, open the root folder of your WordPress website and head to wp-content/:

Then, open the plugins/ folder:

Inside, create a new folder by clicking the blue Create button at the top of the page:

From the options, select Create Directory and name it as you wish, for example, MD5 Rehash:

Then, open this older and inside, create a new file. To do so, click on the Create button at the top of the page and select the Create File options. Add a name to the file, and make sure to add a .PHP extension:

Then, open this newly created file and add this string of code inside:

<?php
/**
* Plugin Name: WP MD5 Rehash on Login
* Description: Upgrades legacy MD5 password hashes to WordPress’s current algorithm on successful login.
* Version: 1.0.0
*/

add_filter(‘check_password’, function ($check, $password, $hash, $user_id) {
// Detect an MD5 hash (32 hex chars) and verify it against the typed password
if (is_string($hash) && strlen($hash) === 32 && ctype_xdigit($hash)) {
if (hash_equals(strtolower($hash), md5($password))) {
// Correct password: immediately rehash using WordPress’s current algorithm (e.g., bcrypt)
if ($user_id) {
wp_set_password($password, $user_id);
}
return true; // allow login
}
return false; // wrong password
}

// For modern hashes, let WordPress handle the check
return $check;
}, 10, 4);

After you have inserted this string, click on the Save button, so AwardSpace applies your changes:

Now, you should log in to WordPress and activate the plugin. After you enter the admin dashboard, head to Plugins -> Installed Plugins:

Then, click on Activate, so you engage the plugin you just created:

Now that the plugin is active, this is going to happen next time a user logs in to WordPress:

• A user will log in, and WordPress will automatically check their password.
• Should the stored password be hashed with MD5, the filter you created will activate.
• WordPress will instantly update the password database to a contemporary safety system.

4. (BONUS) Update Salts and Keys

Salts and keys are long random strings of symbols in WordPress that protect WordPress users from stolen data and cookies. Should these strings be old, weak, stolen, or exposed in any other way, attackers can reuse stolen cookies to enter your website. Although not directly tied to MD5 hashing, updating salts and keys can add one more layer of protection for your WordPress website.

The first step of the process is to go to the File Manager via the AwardSpace hosting panel (as shown above) and then head to the root directory of your WordPress website. There, locate a file named wp-config.php and open it:

Then, within this file, locate these lines:

define(‘AUTH_KEY’, ‘…’);
define(‘SECURE_AUTH_KEY’, ‘…’);
define(‘LOGGED_IN_KEY’, ‘…’);
define(‘NONCE_KEY’, ‘…’);
define(‘AUTH_SALT’, ‘…’);
define(‘SECURE_AUTH_SALT’, ‘…’);
define(‘LOGGED_IN_SALT’, ‘…’);
define(‘NONCE_SALT’, ‘…’);

Within the file, they look like this:

Now, you need to replace these with new strings. To do so, open the official WordPress Salt Generator. It will generate new random strings. Once you see these, copy and replace the old string with the new ones. Don’t touch anything else within the file!

Once you have replaced the strings, click on Save, so the changes are applied:

Conclusion – How to Prevent WordPress MD5 Hash Decrypt Exploits

MD5 was a thing of beauty back in the day, but today it is obsolete and makes your website vulnerable. To prevent vulnerability issues tied to remaining MD5 hashes, you should always update WordPress and plugins, and upgrade old MD5 passwords to new versions, so you make sure your website is safe and sound.

The post How to Prevent WordPress MD5 Hash Decrypt Exploits appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

This is where Fully Customizable SEO (FCSO WordPress) shines.

FCSO means to take full control of your WordPress website and control each of its elements, so it is fine-tuned and perfectly optimized for search engines. In this guide, we showcase how you can use FCSO to your advantage and get more organic traffic and hopefully, better conversion rates.

What is FCSO WordPress and Why Does it Matter

FCSO WordPress stands for Fully Customizable Search Engine Optimization in the context of a WordPress website. Unlike basic SEO approaches that rely on basic WordPress plugins, FCSO means you manage all relevant SEO factors manually and establish full control over your website’s positioning in search results.

FCSO is important because search engines such as Google incorporate complex algorithms that take tons of factors under consideration, such as user search intent, mobile-first indexing, context, and the overall performance of a website. These advanced algorithms reward websites that are well-structured, function flawlessly, present content that is relevant, and fully reflect user intent. The opposite is also true – a low-quality website with bad structure, bad design, and overall dissatisfactory user experience, and low-quality content will be placed on lower SERP positions if ranked at all.

Because of how important FCSO WordPress becomes, we showcase the 5 core areas that you should take into consideration when you work on your website.

1. On-Page FCSO: Start With the Basics

Before getting technical,  start with the basics. The first thing you should optimize is your individual WordPress pages, so they are clear, relevant, easily found, and easily crawled. To incorporate FCSO WordPress in this context, you should:

Add and optimize meta titles and descriptions. Both of these are important in terms of FCSO, as they give a clear notion of what the web page is all about. Add meta titles and descriptions for each of your website pages, and don’t forget to include relevant keywords, along with a tight and precise description of the page content. Furthermore, meta titles and descriptions help website users get an idea of what your page is all about, and if you manage to come up with the right descriptions, more visitors will come to your pages.

Incorporate a hierarchical headings (H1, H2, H3) structure. In terms of FCSO WordPress, headings are important, and so is their distribution on your page. Always go from a larger to a smaller heading and always start a page with an H1 tag, followed by an H2 tag. This will help search engines get a notion of structure and order, which are often positively perceived by Google and other search engines.

Optimize URL structure. It is not only important to add links that lead to relevant content across your web pages. It is also important to incorporate a logical URL structure, so search engines get a notion of where the link leads to before spiders crawl it. This means that you should avoid structures such as this: https://www.your-domain-name.com/809423/28902/product-3/ and replace it with something that gives more information about your website’s structure and content, for example, https://www.your-domain-name.com/guitars/acoustic-guitars/brand-x/model-xyz/, as this makes your website look more professional and reliable. Also, always make sure that your links are relevant and the link itself leads to where it says it will, as this will drastically increase the trust in your website.

2. Technical FCSO: Make Your WordPress Website Fast to Load and Easy to Crawl

Technical SEO means improving your website’s mechanics so it performs well at any given time. Keep in mind that search engines reward fast-loading websites and pages that do not display error messages. Something more, you get bonus points for making your website’s structure easy to follow and your pages mobile-friendly, so more devices can open it without any issues. All this means the following:

Always try to improve your website speed. Fast website loading speed means satisfied search engines and happy visitors. For this reason, always clear your cache regularly, optimize your images, and optimize your website code, so it doesn’t include strings and snippets that are making it slow.

 Make your website mobile-friendly. Nowadays, more and more people use their phones and tablets to browse the web, and if your website is not optimized to work well on such devices, chances are that you will be punished by search engines. This is why, along with other endeavors, make sure that your website looks and performs well on any given Internet device, and not only laptops.

Incorporate a logical site structure. Search engines love tidy and well-structured websites, and so do users. So, to improve your chances of a better ranking, make a structure that is simple to understand and simple to follow. Also, use clear categorization so you ensure bots and users know exactly where to search for a given piece of content on your pages.

3. Content Remains King

Along with being well-structured, well-performing, and tidy, your website should display only relevant, to-the-point, and fresh content. This is important for every contemporary website, as users’ main reason to browse a given page remains its content. To get ahead of the curve and in the FCSO WordPress context, follow these suggestions for your website:

Target long-tail keywords. When conducting keyword research, focus on the long-tail ones, as they have a greater chance for growth compared to generic short-tail terms. In an example, it is better to create content around the keyword “How to improve your page speed on your WordPress website” instead of focusing on something more abstract, such as  “website speed”.

Focus on pleasing people and not on pleasing algorithms. Always use a natural tone and a clear voice when working on your website content, regardless of whether it is promotional ads, product and service descriptions, or a blog article. Always keep in mind that website visitors cherish authenticity and would greatly appreciate it should you deliver it to them. The opposite is also true – focusing too heavily on shaping your content so it is FCSO compatible can drive both visitors and crawling bots away.

Optimize for location when needed. If you have a local business, include terminology, keywords, and hints so that you can be found at a specific place at a specific time. Such an approach will help both users and bots get a better understanding of both your website and your business, so it becomes easier for them to interact with you.

4. Off-Page FCSO

Now that your website is technically optimized and your content is relevant in terms of FCSO, it is time to focus on building trustworthiness and authority in the eyes of search engines. This can greatly boost the relevancy of your WordPress website and help you rank in higher SERP positions. To get the most out of Off-Page FCSO WordPress optimisation, consider the following suggestions.

Build backlinks. Although it is easier said than done, focusing on receiving links from other websites can be a greatly rewarded initiative. In the eyes of search engines, the Internet is a place of interconnected websites that should always exchange information with one another, and in this context, links between sites are greatly valued by Google and other search engines. To get the most out of your backlink strategy, focus on quality, rather than quantity, and also aim at receiving links from websites that operate in your niche. Also, prioritize links that are naturally placed in the content of the website, rather than links that are spammy.

Establish collaborations and partnerships. Healthy business partnerships can greatly enhance your FCSO score. Offer to write guest posts that lead to your website, establish connections with industry leaders and influencers, and always search for ways to return the favor, so that search engines look on your website as a credible source of information.

Use social signals to your advantage. Social signals (likes, shares, and comments on social media) are not a ranking factor, but can contribute to better FCSO, because these signals inform search engines that your content is relevant, and since users interact with it, it is worth ranking it higher in search results. So, in short, expand your social media presence and consider working on social media marketing campaigns for enhanced FCSO WordPress impact.

5. Constantly Monitor Your Website Performance

Search engines constantly get updated with new algorithms, and competitors are constantly calibrating their FCSO strategies to remain relevant in the contemporary world of the Internet. Should you wish to retain your high positions as well, then constantly monitoring your website and its performance becomes a mandatory activity.

FCSO is a process that constantly requires actions to be effective. This means that you should constantly monitor your website’s performance, adapt your approaches and recalibrate them (when needed), and constantly refine your approaches towards placing higher in search results.

Always monitor website performance. For this, you should incorporate various web analytics tools, so you can check site visitors, how pages are performing, and how your keyword strategy is doing at any single moment. You should be aware of what is going on and how your approaches are aligning with your end goals. Such tools allow you to take quick reactions, notice insights, and have a general idea of what is going on with your website in terms of optimization.

Make regular website audits. Constantly check your website for error messages, slow pages, corrupt files, broken links, and similar issues. Just like FCSO, website maintenance is a process and when done properly, can grant tons of benefits.

Adapt your strategies and approaches to algorithm changes. Google updates are a common sight. Changes range from small patches to general changes that change the entire approach towards the concept of indexing and ranking websites on the web. To be relevant in today’s world,  you should constantly be informed about changes that companies undertake in order to make their search engines better. Should you fail to do so, you risk falling behind, as even though you can put tons of effort, search engines can find your results irrelevant and dissatisfactory.

Conclusion – FCSO Can Greatly Help Your WordPress Website

Today, search engines reward websites that are fast, work flawlessly, and have relevant content. With FCSO, you have the chance to remain competitive in this field and take your site to the top rankings of every search engine.

The post Mastering FCSO WordPress for Your Website: A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

What is a Critical Error Warning in WordPress

Critical Error in WordPress is an error message that appears on your website when WordPress can’t load scripts that are important for the proper functionality of your website. There can be various causes for this error, such as a malfunctioning plugin, theme, code snippet, or scripts. These malfunctions result in either a dysfunctional file or a code that doesn’t work properly, both prompting a Critical Error message.

Now, let’s see how to access the WordPress admin panel with a critical error warning.

Read also:

• How to Fix “Patterns are Not Uploading” Error to WordPress Theme
• WordPress 404 Not Found
• How to Fix Error 503 Service Unavailable in WordPress

How to Access WordPress Admin Panel With a Critical Error Warning

First, you need to locate where the issue comes from and then fix it. In the following paragraphs, we share how to fix the problem, should it derive from the most common Fatal Error prompts – faulty plugins and themes.

Method 1: Check for Malfunctioning Plugins

Although numerous WordPress plugins work just fine, some can still cause technical issues, such as the Critical Error. To see whether an active plugin on your website is causing the trouble, continue reading. The process is simple and comprises only a few steps: deactivate all plugins, check whether the error message is still present, and if it is, find the plugin that causes the trouble. Here’s how to proceed:

Since Critical Error prevents you from accessing your WordPress dashboard, you should use the AwardSpace hosting panel instead. Once you log in, click on File Manager:

Then, from the list of directories, open one of the problematic WordPress websites:

After that, locate the wp-content/ folder and open it:

Once you are in, locate a folder called plugins/. Once you see it, right-click on it and select Rename:

Now choose a name for the folder, for example, Plugins_changed_name or anything else different from Plugins.

The idea behind the renaming is simple – WordPress automatically searches for a folder named exactly plugins to browse and incorporate your installed plugins, and when this folder is renamed to something different, the CMS simply can’t find what it searches for and decides there are no installed plugins, so every plugin within the renamed folder is deactivated.

Now, while all plugins are deactivated, try to open your website. If it loads without the Critical Error message, then the issue derives from one of the deactivated plugins. To locate which one is corrupted, you should download all of them on your device, and upload them again one by one and checking whether the error message appears after each upload. Once you see an issue right after an upload is completed, this is the malfunctioning plugin.

Here’s how to proceed:

Step 1: Download all Your Plugins to Your Device

The first thing to do is to download all your plugins to your device before deleting them from WordPress from the hosting panel. To download them, via the AwardSpace hosting panel, head to File Manager ->  Your Website’s directory -> wp-content/ -> the renamed Plugins folder. 

Once inside, select all plugins within the folder and download them via the Download button at the top menu:

Step 2: Delete All Plugins from WordPress

Now that your plugins are downloaded on your computer, it is time to delete them from WordPress. Don’t worry about losing any that are important for your website, as in a moment, we will be uploading them again.

While in the plugins directory, select all plugins and click the Delete button located at the top of the page:

Step 3: Rename The Plugins Directory Again

Now that you have your plugins safely downloaded and deleted from WordPress, it is time to revert to the original folder name, so WordPress can access it and engage with the plugins you are about to re-upload. For this, head to File Manager -> Your Website Directory -> wp-admin and right-click on the renamed plugins folder, select Rename, and type in the original folder name – plugins/

N.B! Keep in mind that WordPress expects the folder to be named exactly plugins (with lower case!), otherwise it will remain unrecognisable. 

Step 3: Re-Upload Plugins One By One

The next step in the process is to re-upload each of your plugins one by one and check whether the Critical Error message appears after each single upload. The logic behind such an approach is simple – once a faulty plugin is uploaded, it will prevent WordPress from functioning properly, and therefore, the error message will occur. Once you see this issue, you can then be sure that the last plugin you uploaded is the malfunctioning one. Here’s how to proceed:

Log in to the AwardSpace hosting panel and again head to File Manager -> Your Website’s Directory -> wp-admin -> plugins. Once there, click the Upload button at the top of the page and select one of the downloaded earlier plugins and upload it again to WordPress. Keep in mind that you should compress the plugin folder before uploading it. Also, make sure to upload a single plugin at a time:

Once the zipped plugin is uploaded to your server, unzip it by right-clicking on its folder and then selecting Extract Here:

Now, reload your website. If you don’t see the Critical Error message, then this plugin functions just fine. If this is the case, then repeat the process outlined in this step until you upload a plugin that prompts the Critical Error message. Once you locate it, you can delete it and install a plugin by another developer, or contact customer support for further help.

However, if shutting down your plugins folder doesn’t fix the issue, then the problem is rooted elsewhere – your plugins function just fine. Should this be the case, proceed with the next method.

Method 2: Check for Malfunctioning WordPress Themes

A theme you use for your WordPress website may prompt the Critical Error message. These are rare occasions, but the chances of stumbling upon a faulty WordPress theme are never zero. To check whether your installed WordPress theme is causing trouble, install a default WordPress theme, check whether it causes trouble, and if not, then the previously active theme is prompting the issue. Here’s how to proceed.

Step 1: Download All Installed Themes on Your Device

Similar to the plugins process, you should first download all installed WordPress themes on your device. To do so, via the AwardSpace hosting panel, head to File Manager:

Then, open the directory of your problematic WordPress website and head to the wp-content/ folder:

Then, open the themes/ folder:

Once you open the folder, download all your installed themes. To do so, select all of them and click on Download at the top of the page. This will download a ZIP containing all your themes on your device:

Step 2: Delete All Themes from WordPress

The next step in the process is to delete all themes you have stored on your server. Don’t worry, you will have them back once the issue is fixed. To delete your themes, while in the themes/ folder, select all of them and click on Delete at the top of the page:

Step 3: Upload a Default WordPress Theme

Now, it is time to test whether your active theme was causing the trouble. To do so, you need to upload a default WordPress theme and see if your website can work with it without displaying any error messages. However, before you upload a theme, you should first download it from the official WordPress site. Simply head to the official WordPress themes library and download any of the default themes, such as Twenty Twenty-Five, on your device.

Once you have downloaded the default theme, it is time to upload it to your server. For this, via the AwardSpace hosting panel, head to File Manager -> Your Website Domain -> wp-content-> themes/ 

While there, click on the Upload button:

Now, search for the default theme and upload the zip file to your server. Once it is uploaded, right-click on the ZIP file and select Extract Here:

Now that the theme is being extracted, open your website.

Should it load properly and you don’t see a sign from the Critical Error message, then the issue lies within your first active theme you downloaded on your device before deleting it from the server. You can either change it to another one or contact the developers for further assistance.

Should you still see the Critical Error message on your website, even with a default theme, then the problem is not coming from a malfunctioning theme, but is rooted elsewhere. Proceed with he next step.

Method 3: Reinstall WordPress Core Files

A corrupt WordPress core might prompt the Critical Error message. To check whether the problem derives from a malfunctioning core, you should reinstall WordPress; however, from the AwardSpace hosting panel.  The process is simple and requires only a few clicks here and there. Here’s how to proceed.

Step 1: Download a Fresh WordPress Copy

First, download the latest WordPress version. This is an important step, as you will work with the latest bug-free version of the CMS. After it is downloaded on your device, unzip the file.

Step 2: Navigate to the Root Folder of Your Website

The next thing to do is to open the currently functioning WordPress core files on your server. To do so, via the AwardSpace hosting panel, head to File Manager -> Your WordPress Website.

Now, download your plugins/  and themes/ folder, as shown above, so you retain all the files you are using.

After that, click the Upload button  at the top of the screen:

Then, select all the WordPress files you unzipped on your computer and upload them. You will be asked whether you would like to overwrite them. Click Yes and let the process complete:

Then, re-upload your plugins and themes as shown in Method 1, Step 3, and Method 2, Step 3 of this article.

After that, reload your website and check whether the issue is still persistent. If it is not, then some corrupt core files were causing the Critical Error message, and now that you work with a fresh copy of WordPress, the problem is fixed.

Should the error message still be present, then the issue lies elsewhere.

Method 4: Contact Tech Support Team

Should the suggested methods not fix the Critical Error problem, then you can reach out to our customer support team, which is 24/7 available. All our web hosting plans come with such feature, even our free hosting plan.

Conclusion – How to Access WordPress Admin Panel With a Critical Error Warning

Error messages are often annoying and can stunt your work on your WordPress website for hours. Luckily, there are methods that you can quickly use to get your website up and going in no time. For example, there are various approaches you can quickly apply to learn how to access the WordPress admin panel with a critical error warning. Simply follow our step-by-step guide and fix the problem in no time.

The post How to Access WordPress Admin Panel With a Critical Error Warning appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

Due to its flexibility, among other benefits, ChatGPT can serve as a reliable companion for your WordPress project. For example, the model can help you generate content ideas, provide automated support, automated chat responses, and offer custom code snippets, among other benefits.

In this article, we share how to integrate ChatGPT into WordPress and how this incorporation can help you with your website.

Read also: How to Create Scroll-Over Interactive Elements in WordPress

Why Integrate ChatGPT into WordPress

There are numerous reasons why you would want to integrate ChatGPT into WordPress. Depending on your needs and website niche, options are quite abundant.

24/7 Automatic Customer Support. ChatGPT is capable of answering various questions, troubleshooting technical issues, and directing users to different departments. The model is reliable in such a position, as it becomes more and more advanced as time passes, and also it can give precise answers to precise questions, especially as it gets to know your website, its aim, and its structure.

Content Generation and Content Ideas. At its core, ChatGPT is a language model that is specially programmed to understand and generate human language. In the context of online blogs and content-heavy websites, this is good news, as ChatGPT can effortlessly give you content ideas, generate drafts, make content pillars, and suggest how to use keywords.

ChatGPT can become a technical assistant for your WordPress website. You can ask the model to help you tweak various WordPress functions, ask for advice, or even generate code snippets on the spot. This is a great way to use ChatGPT on your website, because it can speed up technical work on your website and give you invaluable help in terms of technicality, especially if you are not a tech-savvy person.

Help with SEO. You can use the ChatGPT integration to get a more detailed evaluation of your SEO efforts and more adequate suggestions for improvement. In this context, the chat can make suggestions for using keywords, help you with keyword research techniques, help you avoid keyword stuffing and keyword cannibalization, give you ideas for readability, and even suggest SEO-friendly titles for your web pages, articles, and products.

How to Integrate ChatGPT into WordPress

By far, using a plugin is the simplest way of integrating ChatGPT into WordPress. This is because plugins are generally safe to use and designed in such a way that makes the integration process as smooth as possible. There are numerous plugins you can use to integrate the model, and some of the most popular ones are:

AI Engine. This is a popular WordPress plugin that can help you not only with ChatGPT integration, but also set up how it functions on your website and what it should do once it is incorporated. AI Engine focuses on chatbot integration, generating content ideas and drafts, and image generation.

ChatBot for WordPress. As the name suggests, this plugin is especially designed to incorporate ChatGPT as a chatbot on your website. Along with helping you with customer support, ChatBot for WordPress also provides you with chatbot templates for different cases, strong WooCommerce, and third-party integration.

ContentBot AI Writer. This plugin can help you use ChatGPT as a content generation machine and can help you create blog posts, titles, and any copywriting on your website. ContentBot AI Writer supports different writing styles and also provides you with scheduling capabilities for your publications.

Regardless of which plugin you choose to use, the integration process is generally the same for all of them – you need to install the plugin, connect the OpenAI API key to the plugin, set up functionality, and you are good to go. Here’s how to do that in detail.

For this demonstration, we will be using AI Engine; however, the process is similar for all other plugins.

First, you need to install the plugin.

Then, you need to get your unique API key from OpenAI (the company behind ChatGPT). To do so, first register on their website and then head to their API key page and follow the instructions to create a unique key. Once the process is complete, you will have the chance to copy the generated key. Do so:

Then, head back to the WordPress dashboard, open the plugin’s options page, and head to the Settings tab:

Once there, paste the API key you copied from the OpenAI website within the API Key section:

Then, via the plugin’s settings, customize the behaviour of ChatGPT – set up responses, tasks, front-end appearance, and other details via the Chatbots tab:

Once you are ready with the setup, you can put the chatbot on all your pages, or only selected ones. Should you wish to include on all your pages, within the Chatbots tab, head to the Site-Wide Chatbot drop-down menu and select Default:

Should you wish to display the chat screen on only specific pages, then head to the plugin’s options page and open the Chatbots tab. Once there, copy the small code snippet that appears at the top of the tab:

Once you copy the code, via the WordPress dashboard, head to Pages->All Pages:

Then, select the page you wish to insert the chat window into. Once you open the Edit page, insert  a Shortcode block:

Now you have managed to incorporate ChatGPT into WordPress by using a plugin.

Conclusion

Integrating ChatGPT in WordPress is quite a simple process and involves only a few clicks here and there. Adding the aid of such a tool can help you in numerous situations, such as adding automatic chat responses, generating content ideas, helping with on-page SEO, helping you with technical issues on your website, and many more.

The post How to Integrate ChatGPT into WordPress appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

In this article, we share how to create scroll-over interactive elements in WordPress.

What Are Scroll-Over Interactive Elements

Scroll-over interactive elements are features that trigger a certain action when the mouse cursor hovers over a given element on your website. These actions can take various forms – buttons may become slightly larger, colors may change, or additional content may be revealed, all with just a hover over the element.

Read Also: How to Customize the Scrollbar in WordPress

Why Should You Use Scroll-Over Interactive Elements on Your Website

As mentioned, there are numerous benefits to using scroll-over elements on your website. Here are only some of them:

• Increased engagement – hover effects can encourage visitors to engage with your content, as such effects make the browsing experience fun and interactive.
• Scroll-over effects guide users, so navigation on your website is easier and more intuitive.
• Highlight important elements – hover effects can help your site visitors notice important details faster.
• Modern style – hover effects contribute to making your website look polished, sharp, and modern. Features that site visitors enjoy.

How to Create Scroll-Over Interactive Elements in WordPress

There are three main ways you can create scroll-over interactive elements on your WordPress website:

• By using a WordPress plugin.
• By using the scroll-over features of your WordPress theme.
• By adding code manually.

In the following paragraphs, we share how to add such elements with all three methods.

How to Create a Scroll-Over Interactive Element with a WordPress Plugin

You can create various scroll-over effects by using WordPress plugins. Simply browse the vast plugin library and install a plugin that fits your goals best.

Our suggestions for such plugins are:

• Image Hover Effects Ultimate – great for adding image grids and hover reveals.
• Tooltipy – as the name suggests, this plugin focuses on adding tooltips to texts, icons, and other elements.
• Shortcode Ultimate – although not a scroll-over effect plugin, this one allows you to add hover animations.

Read also: Best WordPress WYSIWYG Editor Plugin

Although each plugin comes with individual settings and mechanics, we share a general approach towards creating a scroll-over effect by using plugins:

1. After you install a plugin, open its options menu.
2. Choose a type of layout you wish to create – grid, carousel, slider, etc.
3. Choose a type of effect you want to create – changing colors, changing size, revealing more text, etc.
4. Add more details via the plugin’s options, should it have this feature.
5. Once you are finished with creating the hover effect, the plugin will generate a short code.
6. Copy and paste this code into a post, page, widget, button, or other element you wish to be affected by a hover motion.
7. Done!

How to Create a Scroll-Over Interactive Element with a WordPress Theme

Various themes and theme builders come with scroll-over settings. When browsing for a good WordPress theme, keep in mind the hover feature, should you wish to add such effects without coding. Here are 3 suggestions:

• Elementor
• WPBakery
• Beaver Builder
• Divi

Depending on the theme you install, the options and mechanics can vary; however, the general approach remains the same. Here’s how it might go:

1. From your WordPress dashboard, head to the theme settings.
2. Select a section you wish to edit – it can be a button, a widget, a text box, or anything else.
3. Open the theme options for this particular element and search for options such as Motion Effects, Hover Effects, or similar (names vary depending on the theme).
4. From these options, choose the hover effects you wish to apply to the element – growing, shrinking, changing color, revealing more text, etc.
5. Then, adjust the speed and delay of the hover effect, should such options be available, and should you wish to edit them.
6. Click Apply/Save/Update (names depend on the theme).
7. Done!

How to Create a Scroll-Over Interactive Element by Adding Code Manually (ADVANCED)

If you feel comfortable working with code, you can add scroll-over interactive elements by manually generating such effects. This method is more technical, but also allows for full control over the effect and the element it surrounds.

One way of creating a scroll-over effect with code is by adding CSS code to WordPress. You can do so by following these steps:

Step 1: Identify the target element

Via the CSS selectors, target the specific element you wish to apply hover effects to. These can be an element type, a class, or an ID.

Step 2: Define the hover effect styles

Within the CSS rules, add :hover pseudo-class after the selector, so you specify the style that should be applied on hover. There’s a lot you can customize here:

• Colors
• Background colors
• Font size
• Borders
• Opacity
• Shadows

Step 3: Add the CSS snippet to WordPress

First, log in to the WordPress dashboard.

From there, head to Appearance -> Customize via the sidebar on the left:

A new page should open. Once it loads, click Additional CSS, usually located at the bottom:

Paste your CSS code here:

Conclusion

Scroll-over interactive elements are not only an effective tool to engage your website visitors, but also contribute to a more stylish and modern-looking website. There are various ways to add hover effects on your WordPress website – by using a plugin, via the options of your theme, or manually adding code for maximum control and customization.

The post How to Create Scroll-Over Interactive Elements in WordPress appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

What is Directory Indexing

Directory indexing (or directory browsing) is a server feature that allows website visitors to browse the contents of a given website. This means that when directory indexing is enabled, you can browse all files and folders that comprise a given website.

Directory indexing includes files and folders, information about their names, sizes, and modification dates. Also, it is common that indexing also reveals file permissions and file types.

Why Should You Disable Directory Indexing in WordPress

It is highly advisable to disable directory indexing for your website. There are many reasons why:

• Privacy and security. Enabling directory browsing can expose sensitive information about your website’s file structure, file names, and other content. Hackers can exploit this information and access sensitive data about you and your visitors.
• Unauthorized access. Keeping directory browsing enabled provides access to files that are not intended to be accessed by users.
• Search engine optimization (SEO). Keeping directory indexing can harm your website’s SEO. This is because, in the context of enabled directory indexing, search engines may index numerous URLs pointing to the same content. In short, directory browsing contributes to duplicate content, which is considered a bad SEO practice.

How to Check Whether Directory Indexing is Enabled in WordPress

The fastest way to check whether directory indexing is enabled on your website is by adding /wp-includes at the end of your website’s domain name. For example:

https://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-includes

Should directory indexing be enabled, you will see a list of the files comprising your website, such as this one:

However, if directory browsing is disabled, the https://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-includes URL will lead to a 403 Error Forbidden. This is a rare scenario in which an error message means that you have done the right thing for your site.

How to Disable Directory Indexing in WordPress

A simple way of turning off directory indexing in WordPress is via the hosting panel. Here’s how to proceed.

First, log in to the AwardSpace hosting panel.

Then, head to File Manager:

After that, open the directory of your website. Once you do, find a file called .htaccess and open it:

When you open the file, scroll to the bottom of the code string and add this snippet at the end of the document:

options-indexes

Then, click the Save button at the top right of the page, so you apply the changes.

Now you have managed to disable the directory indexing for your website.

Conclusion

Directory indexing can be turned off in WordPress by following a few simple steps. In this article, we shared how to do so and why it is a good idea to keep directory indexing disabled at all times.

The post Can Directory Indexing be Turned Off in WordPress appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

Although such an error can stunt your work, you can still fix it quickly and get your WordPress website up and running in no time. In the following paragraphs, we share how to fix “Patterns are Not Uploading” error in WordPress.

What Causes Patterns are Not Uploading Error Message?

Various causes can prompt the Patterns are not uploading error message, and depending on many factors, the issue can be rooted in:

• WordPress themes that do not support block patterns. Should you be using a theme that doesn’t support the block patterns, you can likely stumble upon the error message at a given time when you work on your WordPress project.
• WordPress plugins that conflict with block patterns and/or active themes. Sometimes, active plugins can cause technical issues and therefore prompt the “Patterns are not Uploading” error message.
• Permissions and upload restrictions can be the root of the issue. Should various WordPress mechanisms that restrict file upload are applied, then, on some occasions, the error message can be prompted by these same restrictions.
• Improper code strings in the root WordPress files. If you have manually added code to your WordPress website that contains even a small syntax error, then this code can prompt an error message.
• Caching can also prompt various technical issues, so don’t underestimate this possibility.

How to Fix “Patterns are Not Uploading” Error to WordPress Theme

There are various approaches you can try to fix the “Patterns are not Uploading” error:

Clear Cache

Although cache is handy in many situations, it can cause issues when it is contained in large amounts. This is why it is a good idea to first clear your cache before jumping to technical and more complex fixing approaches.

First, clear your browser cache and reload your WordPress website. Should it load and function just fine without displaying any error messages, then you have just fixed the problem. However, if the “Patterns are Not Uploading” message is still present, then clear the WordPress cache as well and try reloading the website. If the error is still present on your website, then the issue lies elsewhere. Proceed with the next step in the troubleshooting process.

Check the Compatibility of Your Active WordPress Theme

There are some WordPress themes that, although being versatile and handy, are not compatible with the WordPress block editor and can cause issues such as the “Patterns are not Uploading” message across your web pages.

To see whether this is the issue, check the compatibility of your active WordPress theme and see whether it can support the block editor. Should it appear incompatible, disable it, add a theme that is compatible with the block editor, and reload your website. Should the issue be gone, then indeed the incompatible WordPress theme was the root of the issue. Should the problem remain, however, proceed with the next fix.

To reduce your chances of technical issues to a minimum when working with themes, always use child themes.

Check for Other Technical Issues with Your Active Theme

Although your active WordPress theme can be compatible with the block editor, it can still cause issues that prompt error messages such as “Patterns are Not Uploading”. For example, the theme files can be corrupted, incomplete, uploaded incorrectly to WordPress, or anything else. This is why, when troubleshooting the problem, deactivate your theme and temporarily activate a stock one, and check whether the issue has disappeared. If it has, then the root of the problem lies within the theme you were initially using. To fix the issue, try these approaches:

• Reinstall the theme. This means to first delete the theme and then add it again.
• If you are uploading the theme manually, make sure the ZIP file is not corrupted.
• If you have made manual edits to the theme, double-check for code errors and syntax errors.
• Reach out to the theme’s technical support team for further help.

Check for Problematic WordPress Plugins

Similar to themes, sometimes you can use some problematic WordPress plugins that prompt an error message. To check whether any of your plugins is indeed causing the “Patterns are not Uploading” message, deactivate all plugins and check whether the error is still present on your website. If it is not, then indeed a plugin is causing the issue. To find out which one exactly, follow this procedure:

1. While all plugins remain deactivated, activate a single one.
2. Reload your websiite.
3. If you don’t see the error message, deactivate the plugin and activate another one.
4. Reload your website.
5. Repeat these steps until you activate a plugin that prompts the error message.
6. You can try to update it, add a similar one, reach out to technical support for further help, or simply uninstall it.

Check for Unwanted File Permission Blocks

Should any specific file permission rules be set for your WordPress root folder, they can cause issues, as some important files can be blocked and thus prompting the “Patterns are not Uploading” error. To see whether this is the problem in your case, follow these steps:

• Via the AwardSpace hosting panel, head to your website’s root folder and more precisely, to wp-content/themes/your-active-theme/patterns.
• Set permissions to this folder to 755.
• Inside the folder, set all patterns to 655.
• Save and exit.
• Should this approach be too complex for you, you can always rely on our 24/7 customer support, available with each of our web hosting plans.

Now, reload your website. Should the issue be seen no more, then indeed the permission settings were causing the trouble. However, if it persists, head to the next fix approach.

Check for JSON Misconfiguration

If you feel confident about the technicality, you can delve deeper into the issue and try out this approach to fix the error message.

If you are using theme.json files for your WordPress theme, some incorrect settings with such items can prompt the error message. To check whether this is the problem:

1. Use a JSON validator to check for any kind of formatting issues.
2. Make sure other settings for customTemplates, templateParts, or block support are not blocking some pattern features.

Conclusion – How to Fix “Patterns are Not Uploading” Error to WordPress Theme

“Patterns are Not Uploading” can be annoying when it appears on your website, but keep in mind that you can quickly fix the issue with several handy approaches.

The post How to Fix “Patterns are Not Uploading” Error to WordPress Theme appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

What you need to know:

The WordPress Block Editor allows you to move blocks up and down the document structure in order to rearrange the content contained within those blocks. The most popular way of moving blocks is by dragging a block from one position and dropping it in another. You can also use the Move Handles (two small up/down buttons) in a block’s Contextual Toolbar in order to move it. Lastly, the third popular way to move a block in WordPress is via a keyboard shortcut. On Windows/Linux use Ctrl + Shift + Alt + T or Y and on macOS you can use ⌘ + ⌥ + ⇧ + T or Y.

Have you ever published your WordPress post or page only to later realize that it would look better if its contents were rearranged? In Gutenberg, such issues can be fixed by moving the blocks that contain your content. In this tutorial, we’ll show you all the ways in which this can be accomplished.

Table of Contents:

• What Is Gutenberg?
• What Are Blocks in WordPress?
• What Is the Benefit of Moving Blocks?
• How to Move Blocks in WordPress?
  • Via the Move Handles
  • Via a Keyboard Shortcut
  • Via Drag and Drop
  • Via the Move to Option
  • Via the Tools Button
• How to Move Blocks in and Out of Block Groups?
• Next Steps

What Is Gutenberg?

Gutenberg, called also the WordPress Block Editor, can be used to create content in WordPress such as posts, pages, and widgets. Unlike the classic WordPress blog editor, Gutenberg uses blocks to encapsulate every piece of content. This allows you to make edits to one block with minimal negative effects on the surrounding blocks.

If you are new to Gutenberg, you should learn the basics of the WordPress Block Editor as well as its interface. And if you have prior experience, you can further your knowledge by learning the various keyboard shortcuts available in Gutenberg, the different ways to customize the block editor interface, and the best third-party plugins that add new functionality to Gutenberg.

Tip:

If you don’t have a WordPress website yet, you can build one in seconds using our free hosting package. And in case you need additional resources or features, you can go with one of our premier WordPress hosting plans.

What Are Blocks in WordPress?

Unlike most document editors that are based on free-form text, Gutenberg uses blocks to encapsulate every piece of content. In other words, you can have a heading block, followed by a paragraph block, followed by an image block, then another three-paragraph block, a quote block, and so on. Every block acts as a container for its respective content. This allows you to make edits to one block without worrying about how this will affect the other blocks in your document.

WordPress offers blocks for many different types of content. All of these blocks, along with your block patterns and reusable blocks, are stored in the WordPress Block Library.

Tip:

If you wish to have even more blocks, try updating WordPress as new WordPress versions often include new types of blocks. In addition, you may be interested in our roundup of the best plugins that add new blocks to Gutenberg.

What Is the Benefit of Moving Blocks?

By moving WordPress blocks up and down your document structure, you will be able to rearrange the content that is contained within those blocks. So, if you wish to keep the same content on your post or page and simply reorder it, you can do so by moving the blocks that make up the document.

How to Move Blocks in WordPress?

There are several different ways in which you can move blocks in WordPress. In the next few sections, we’ll take a closer look at each option.

Via the Move Handles

The most straightforward way of moving blocks in WordPress is to use the Move Handles from the Contextual Toolbar of the selected block. Simply select the block that you wish to move and use the arrow-like buttons to move the block up or down.

Via a Keyboard Shortcut

If you value speed and efficiency, you’ll be happy to learn that WordPress also has keyboard shortcuts that allow you to move the selected block up or down your document structure. On Windows and Linux, the shortcuts are Ctrl + Shift + Alt + T and Ctrl + Shift + Alt + Y to move the selected block up and down, respectively. On macOS, the shortcuts are ⌘ + ⌥ + ⇧ + T and ⌘ + ⌥ + ⇧ + Y.

Tip:

Did you know that WordPress supports even more keyboard shortcuts? If you are interested, check our tutorials on how to use keyboard shortcuts to work with Gutenberg, moderate comments, and navigate the WordPress back-end.

Via Drag and Drop

Another popular way of moving blocks in WordPress is by dragging a block from one location and dropping it in another.

Via the Move to Option

This next alternative offers a blend of using the mouse and keyboard. You start by clicking on the three-dot icon at the end of the Contextual Toolbar. From there, choose the Move to option. Now, use the Up and Down arrow keys on your keyboard to move a blue horizontal line up and down your document. Once you find the perfect spot, press Enter, and your selected block will be moved to the spot where the blue line was located.

Via the Tools Button

Lastly, you can also move blocks in WordPress using the Tools button from the Top Toolbar. Here are the steps that you need to follow:

1. Click on the Tools button from the Top Toolbar.
2. Choose the Select option.
3. Click on the block that you wish to move.
4. Use its Move Handles to reposition the block via drag and drop.

You might have noticed that this approach is very similar to the Move Handles one. The main difference is that when you are in Select mode, there are fewer buttons on the Contextual Toolbar.

How to Move Blocks in and Out of Block Groups?

If you have been using the WordPress Block Editor for a while, you are likely familiar with block groups. Block groups allow you to work with several blocks at once by treating the entire group as a single entity.

If you try to move a block that is part of a block group, you will notice that some methods of moving allow you to move the block in and out of the block group while others will let you only reposition the block within the block group itself. More specifically, if you try to use Move Handles, keyboard shortcuts, or the Move to option, you will be able to move the block within the bounds of the block group only. Conversely, the drag and drop and Tools button approaches will allow you to move a block in and out of the block group.

Next Steps

The ability to move blocks in WordPress is one of the fundamental skills that you will be using on a regular basis as you create and maintain your website. If you have found this tutorial helpful, we recommend checking our other fundamental tutorials that will show you how to insert, edit, and delete blocks in WordPress. Once you have done so, you can also check our guide on how to publish in WordPress so that others can discover your content.

The post Gutenberg Tutorial: How to Move Blocks in WordPress appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

What you need to know:

WordPress allows you to add blocks through the Gutenberg Block Library. You can access the Block Library by clicking on the “+” button in the Top Toolbar or one of the “+” buttons scattered throughout your document. Then, add a block to your post or page by dragging it out of the Block Library and dropping it in your document. Additionally, you can bring up the Block Library by pressing / when your text cursor is located in an empty paragraph block.

Arguably, the most important skill that you need to have when it comes to running a website is the ability to insert new content. In WordPress, this can be done by adding new blocks to your posts and pages. In this tutorial, we’ll show you the various ways in which this can be accomplished.

Table of Contents:

• What Is Gutenberg in WordPress?
  • How Do I Access Gutenberg?
• What Are Blocks in WordPress?
• How Do I Add a Block in WordPress?
  • Via the Block Library
  • Via a Keyboard Shortcut
• How Do I Choose Where the New Block Is Inserted?
  • In the Beginning of the Document
  • In the Middle of the Document
  • At the End of the Document
• Next Steps

What Is Gutenberg in WordPress?

WordPress uses a document editor called Gutenberg. Known also as the WordPress Block Editor, Gutenberg differs from other classic editors in that it uses blocks to store your content. If you are new to the Block Editor, you can read our guide on the Gutenberg basics and our overview of the Block Editor interface. And if you have prior experience already, then you can further your knowledge by learning all of Gutenberg’s keyboard shortcuts, customizing the editor to meet your needs, and finding out what are the best plugins that add new functionality to Gutenberg.

How Do I Access Gutenberg?

WordPress will provide you with access to Gutenberg when you create a new post, page, or widget, or you opt to edit an existing one. In time, the WordPress Block Editor will be used to manage even more aspects of your website.

Tip:

Don’t have your own WordPress website yet? Sign up for our free hosting plan or one of our premium WordPress hosting packages and install WordPress today!

What Are Blocks in WordPress?

Unlike most document editors where you can write text anywhere you want and insert images and other media within your text, Gutenberg encapsulates each piece of content in its own block. So, you can have a heading block, followed by an image block and three-paragraph blocks. This separation makes for easier editing where adjusting the properties of one block will have minimal negative effects on its neighboring blocks.

All blocks available in Gutenberg are stored in the WordPress Block Library. If you wish to expand this selection, you can create custom reusable blocks, check the WordPress Pattern Library for new block patterns, and see our roundup of the best plugins that add new blocks to WordPress.

How Do I Add a Block in WordPress?

There are two main ways in which you can add blocks in WordPress. We will explore them in the next two sections.

Tip:

You can insert block patterns and reusable blocks in the same way you would add a block in WordPress!

Via the Block Library

The main way of adding blocks in WordPress is via the Block Library. To access the Block Library, click on the “+” button in the Top Toolbar.

Once the Block Library is open, simply drag a block out of it and drop it somewhere in your document.

Tip:

As you drag the block over your document, you will see some blue separator lines. These indicate where your block would be inserted if you drop it.

If you are not a fan of drag-and-drop, you can insert new blocks in your post or page by first placing your text cursor in the spot where you wish to add a new block and then clicking on the desired block from the Block Library.

Tip:

Have you noticed that there are “+” buttons scattered throughout your document? You can use those to quickly bring up the Block Library and insert a block in that specific location.

Tip:

You can speed up the process of choosing a block by taking advantage of the search functionality that is present in the WordPress Block Library!

Via a Keyboard Shortcut

WordPress also allows you to add blocks via a keyboard shortcut. To do so, begin with an empty paragraph block. Then, type / followed by the name of the block that you wish to insert. As soon as the desired block gets highlighted, press the Enter key.

To learn more, check the tutorial where we explain how to use keyboard shortcuts to work with blocks. Additionally, Gutenberg also offers a few keyboard shortcuts inspired by Markdown. Learning these Markdown-inspired keyboard shortcuts will help you quickly convert a paragraph block into another type of block.

How Do I Choose Where the New Block Is Inserted?

So far, we have discussed the various ways in which you can add blocks to a WordPress document, but not every approach can insert a block in every part of the post or page. In the next few sections, we will highlight the ways in which you can insert a block in the beginning, middle, and end of your document.

At the Beginning of the Document

When it comes to adding a block to the very beginning of your WordPress document, you have two options:

• You can drag a block out of the Block Library and drop it above your first block.
• You can add a new block using the contextual “+” button that appears between your first and second blocks. Once the new block is created, move it up, so it switches places with the first block in your document.

In the Middle of the Document

If you ever find yourself needing to add a new block between two existing blocks, you can take one of two approaches:

• You can drag a block out of the Block Library and drop it between the two blocks.
• You can add a new block using the contextual “+” button that appears between the two blocks.

At the End of the Document

Lastly, we’ll discuss the various ways in which you can add a block at the end of your WordPress post or page. You have three options:

• You can drag a block out of the Block Library and drop it at the end of your document.
• You can add a new block at the end of the document using the contextual “+” button that appears to the right of your content.

• Your last available option is to click in the space below your last element. Doing so will create an empty paragraph block. From there, you can press the / key and type in the name of the block that you wish to use followed by the Enter key.

Next Steps

Congratulations! At this point, you should be aware of the various ways in which you can add a block in WordPress. What is more, you should be able to add new blocks in the beginning, middle, and end of your document. Going forward, you should consider learning other essential Gutenberg skills such as editing, moving, and deleting blocks. And, of course, the steps involved in publishing your WordPress content.

The post Gutenberg Tutorial: How to Add a Block to a WordPress Post or Page appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

What you need to know:

You can delete a block in WordPress by selecting it and pressing the Delete key on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can press the three-dot button in the Contextual Toolbar to access the Remove block option. Lastly, it is also possible to delete blocks in WordPress using the keyboard shortcut Shift + Alt + Z on Windows/Linux and ⌃ + ⌥ + Z on macOS.

Deleting blocks in WordPress allows you to remove the content that is contained within those blocks. And while such actions are not performed regularly, at some point you will find yourself having to remove one or more blocks from a post or a page. In this tutorial, we’ll show you the various ways in which you can delete blocks in WordPress.

Table of Contents:

• What Is Gutenberg in WordPress?
  • How Can I Access Gutenberg?
• What Are Blocks in Gutenberg?
• How to Delete Blocks in WordPress?
  • Via the Contextual Toolbar
  • Via the Delete Key
  • Via a Keyboard Shortcut
• Next Steps

What Is Gutenberg in WordPress?

Gutenberg, also known as the WordPress Block Editor, is the default way of creating content in WordPress since version 5.0. Gutenberg differs from its predecessor in that it uses blocks to store your content. If you are new to the block editor, you can check our tutorials on the basics of Gutenberg and its interface. And if you already have prior experience, you may wish to further your knowledge by learning to customize the block editor, learning its shortcuts, and finding out the best Gutenberg plugins.

How Can I Access Gutenberg?

You are automatically given access to Gutenberg whenever you create a new post, page, or widget, or you opt to edit an existing one. And if you don’t have your own WordPress site yet, you can take advantage of our premier WordPress hosting plans or even our free hosting package and install WordPress in just a few clicks.

What Are Blocks in Gutenberg?

Before we learn how to remove blocks in WordPress, let’s take a moment to see what WordPress blocks are and how they are used.

Unlike most free-form document editors where your main content is text and you insert other elements within this text, Gutenberg uses blocks to encapsulate every piece of content in its own block. This separates your various types of content and allows you to manipulate one element in your document without negatively affecting the neighboring elements.

There are many different types of blocks available in Gutenberg. Some of the most used types include paragraphs, headings, images, quotes, code, and more. All of these blocks are stored in the WordPress Block Library along with your block patterns and any reusable blocks that you might have created.

Tip:

If you ever feel that the number of available blocks in the WordPress Block Editor is too low, you can check our article where we outline the best plugins that add new blocks to Gutenberg.

How to Delete Blocks in WordPress?

There are three possible ways in which you can delete a block in WordPress. We will outline each method in detail in the next few sections.

Via the Contextual Toolbar

Every block comes with a Remove block option that can be accessed through the Contextual Toolbar. Follow the steps below in order to remove a block via this method:

1. Select the block that you wish to remove. Once you do so, a Contextual Toolbar should appear right above it.
2. Click on the three-dot button at the end of the toolbar in order to access a few additional options.

3. Choose the option called Remove block. It is located at the end of the dropdown menu.

Via the Delete Key

Arguably, the most efficient way of deleting blocks in WordPress is via the Delete key. Here is how you can accomplish this:

1. Select the block that you wish to delete. You can tell that a block was successfully selected by its thin blue outline.

2. Press the Delete or Backspace key on your keyboard.

Via a Keyboard Shortcut

Lastly, you can use a keyboard shortcut to delete blocks in WordPress. Here’s what you need to do in order to perform this shortcut:

1. Select the block that you wish to remove.
2. Press Shift + Alt + Z on Windows/Linux and ⌃ + ⌥ + Z on macOS.

Overall, this method is very similar to using the Delete key. In fact, we recommend using the Delete key method since it is easier to perform.

Next Steps

Now that you know how to delete blocks in WordPress, you should find it a bit easier to create content on the platform. Other essential skills that you need to learn include inserting, moving, and editing blocks. And, of course, publishing your content.

Once you have mastered the basics, we recommend optimizing your workflow by customizing the Gutenberg interface, learning the WordPress Block Editor keyboard shortcuts and also the keyboard shortcuts for comment moderation, and navigating the WordPress admin panel.

The post Gutenberg Tutorial: Deleting a Block in WordPress appeared first on AwardSpace.com.