how to change excerpt length in WordPress

Customizing Excerpt Length in WordPress

WordPress excerpts play a critical role in website design by giving readers a quick snapshot of the content within a post. By default, WordPress sets this summary to 55 words, which may not always align with individual design goals or content strategies. Customizing the excerpt length can significantly improve user engagement and site aesthetics.

Step 1: Understanding WordPress Excerpts

Before modifying excerpt lengths, it is vital to understand what excerpts are and how they are used on a WordPress site. Excerpts are abbreviated portions of content intended to give an overview of articles on blog rolls, search page results, or archives. They can help improve the browsing experience by preventing overwhelming amounts of text and encouraging user interaction.

Step 2: Modifying Excerpt Length Using Code

To adjust the excerpt length, you can add a simple function to your WordPress theme’s functions.php file. This method offers robust customization and ensures you aren’t reliant on a plugin, which can slow down your site if overused.

Here’s how you can change your excerpt length:

1. Access your WordPress site files using a File Manager provided by your hosting service or via FTP.
2. Navigate to your theme’s folder, usually located at wp-content/themes/your-theme-name/.
3. Find the functions.php file and edit it by adding the following code at the end of the file:

function custom_excerpt_length( $length ) {
    return 20; // Change the number to the desired word count
}
add_filter( 'excerpt_length', 'custom_excerpt_length', 999 );

This code sets the excerpt length to 20 words. Change the number to whatever word length suits your needs.

Step 3: Using a Plugin to Change Excerpt Length

For those who prefer not to edit theme files directly, several plugins allow you to control excerpt length:

• Advanced Excerpt: This plugin provides multiple settings to manage excerpt lengths and finishes.
• WP Excerpt: This plugin lets you set the excerpt length and choose how to end the excerpt (e.g., ellipses, read more link).

To install a plugin, go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, search for the plugin by name, and click ‘Install Now’. After activation, follow the plugin’s instructions to adjust the excerpt length.

Step 4: Adjusting Excerpt Ending

The way an excerpt ends is as important as its length. Typical endings include “[…]”, “…”, or “Read More”. Customizing this can be done by adding another function in the functions.php file:

function new_excerpt_more($more) {
    return '…';
}
add_filter('excerpt_more', 'new_excerpt_more');

This code changes the default “[…]” to “…”. Similarly, you can replace ‘…’ with any text or link you prefer.

Step 5: Testing Your Changes

After implementing these changes, view a page that displays excerpts, such as your blog index, to see the new configuration in action. Make adjustments as needed to perfect the look and functionality.

Step 6: Considerations for SEO and Readability

While adjusting the excerpt length, keep SEO and readability in mind. Shorter excerpts may not provide enough information for search engines to index effectively, which could impact your site’s SEO performance. Conversely, overly long excerpts could detract from usability and visual appeal.

Step 7: Advanced Customization with Conditional Tags

To perfect your website’s design and functionality, consider using conditional tags to set different excerpt lengths for different types of content. For example, you might want shorter excerpts for news updates and longer ones for detailed blog posts.

Add this advanced conditional logic in your functions.php:

function conditional_excerpt_length( $length ) {
    if (is_category('news')) {
        return 15;
    } elseif (is_category('blog')) {
        return 40;
    } else {
        return 20; // Default length for other categories
    }
}
add_filter( 'excerpt_length', 'conditional_excerpt_length', 999 );

This code sets specific lengths based on categories, providing greater flexibility and control over how content is presented across different sections of your site.

By following these steps, WordPress users can maximize the impact of their excerpts, tailoring them to meet specific aesthetic and functional needs, enhancing both the user experience and overall site performance. This customization not only helps in maintaining the user engagement but also improves the content navigation, making your WordPress site more effective and pleasant to interact with.