Change Default Gravatar in WordPress

Understanding Gravatar in WordPress

Gravatar stands for “Globally Recognized Avatar.” It is an online service that allows users to upload a profile image associated with their email address, which then appears as their avatar on supported websites, including WordPress blogs.

Step 1: Access Your WordPress Dashboard

To begin changing the default Gravatar on your WordPress site, log in to the admin area. This is usually accessed by appending /wp-admin to your website’s URL.

Step 2: Navigate to Discussion Settings

Once inside the dashboard, locate the “Settings” menu on the left-hand side. Hover over this option and click on “Discussion.” This page holds various settings related to comments and avatars.

Step 3: Scroll to Avatar Settings

In the Discussion Settings, scroll down to find the “Avatars” section. This is where WordPress allows you to manage how avatars are displayed on your site.

Step 4: Default Avatar Options

You will see a selection of default avatar options including:

Mystery Person
Identicon (generated pattern based on email hash)
Wavatar (generated face icons)
MonsterID (generated monster images)
Retro (generated pixelated patterns)

These default options are automatically available in WordPress.

Step 5: Adding Custom Default Gravatar

To add a new, custom Gravatar that will appear as the default across your site, you will need to add a bit of code to your theme’s functions.php file.

Access the Theme Editor: From your dashboard, go to “Appearance” and then to “Theme Editor.”
Select the functions.php File: Find and click on functions.php from the list of theme files on the right side.

Insert Code for Custom Gravatar:

Copy and paste the following code at the end of your functions.php file:

add_filter( 'avatar_defaults', 'new_custom_default_gravatar' );

function new_custom_default_gravatar ($avatar_defaults) {
    $myavatar = 'URL_TO_YOUR_CUSTOM_GRAVATAR_IMAGE';
    $avatar_defaults[$myavatar] = "Your Default Gravatar";
    return $avatar_defaults;
}

Replace URL_TO_YOUR_CUSTOM_GRAVATAR_IMAGE with the actual URL of your custom Gravatar image.

Step 6: Save Changes

After adding the code, click “Update File” to save the changes to your functions.php file.

Step 7: Select Your Custom Avatar

Return to the “Discussion” settings page (Settings > Discussion). Scroll down to the “Avatars” section again, and you should now see your custom Gravatar listed as an option under “Default Avatar.”

Select your new custom Gravatar, and then scroll down to the bottom of the page to click “Save Changes.”

Step 8: Testing

To ensure that your new default Gravatar is working, create a test comment on your site using an email address that does not have an associated Gravatar. You should see your custom Gravatar appearing as the default.

Best Practices for Custom Default Gravatar

Optimize Image Size: Ensure the Gravatar image is not too large — a typical avatar size is around 80×80 pixels. Larger images may slow down page loading times.
Reflect Brand Identity: Choose or design a Gravatar that reflects your brand’s identity and values to maintain consistency in user experience.
Secure Image Hosting: Make sure that your custom Gravatar image URL uses HTTPS to prevent any security warnings on your site.

Conclusion

Changing the default Gravatar to a custom one can enhance your site’s branding and make user interactions more engaging. By following the above steps, you can efficiently integrate a personalized touch to your WordPress site’s user experience.

how to change default gravatar in WordPress