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Tired of the default author slug in your WordPress URLs? Want to customize it to reflect your identity or brand? Look no further!
In this quick guide, I’ll show you how to effortlessly change your WordPress author URL slug and base, giving your website a more personalized touch.
What’s an Author Slug and Base, Anyway?
Before we dive in, let’s clear up the jargon. An author slug is a part of your website’s URL that identifies the author of a particular post or page. By default, WordPress Author URLs look like this: your-site.com/author/slug/. Here, the “slug” is actually your WordPress login username. It poses a security risk as hackers could use it for brute-force attacks on your login page. Changing it can help you establish a unique online presence and improve security.
Next, the base. The base is the prefix that comes before the author slug in the URL. It usually says “author,” but you can modify it to anything you prefer, like “writer” or “creator.”
The Benefits of Customizing WordPress Author URL
Personal Branding: Customizing your author slug and base allows you to create a strong personal brand. Use your name, nickname, or something that represents you best.
SEO-Friendly URLs: Customized URLs can be more user-friendly and SEO-friendly, helping your site rank higher in search engines.
Consistency Across Platforms: If you use the same handle on social media, having a consistent author slug and base will reinforce your online identity.
2 Steps to Change WordPress Author Slug (user_nicename)
To secure your website, you should change the slug, which is technically called “user_nicename.” Here’s how:
Step 1: Go to WordPress Database
Navigate to your WordPress database, and select the “wp_users” table.
Step 2: Change the User_nicename
Find your row in the table and update the “user_nicename” field to a more secure value, like “balloon” (for example).
Now, your new author URL slug will become your-site.com/author/balloon/. See how much safer and cleaner that looks?
How to
Let’s change the author URL base too. Instead of “author,” we can use something like “profile.”
Avoid the bad habit of adding custom code snippets to the functions.php file in WordPress.
Instead, follow a good habit and place the provided code in a WordPress Blog Specific Plugin.
function change_author_base() {
global $wp_rewrite;
$author_slug = 'profile';
$wp_rewrite->author_base = $author_slug;
}
add_action('init', 'change_author_base');
Here $author_slug can be anything of your choice.
Now, your author URL will transform from your-site.com/author/balloon/ to your-site.com/profile/balloon/. Clean and secure, right?
How to Change Author URL in WordPress
Step 1: Install a Plugin
To change your author slug and base, you’ll need a reliable plugin like “Edit Author Slug.” Simply install and activate it.
Step 2: Navigate to User Settings
Go to your WordPress dashboard, click on “Users,” then “Your Profile.” Look for the “Edit Author Slug” section.
Step 3: Choose Your Slug
In the “Author Base” field, enter your preferred base. Keep it short and memorable!
Step 4: Customize the Author Slug
You can now edit the slug for individual authors. Go back to the “Users” section, select an author, and scroll down to find the “Edit Author Slug” box.
Step 5: Save Changes
Don’t forget to save your changes!
Step 6: Permalinks
After making these changes, your URLs will update automatically. But, just in case, go to “Settings” > “Permalinks” and click “Save Changes” to refresh your permalink structure.
A Few Tips
- Be Consistent: Once you choose an author slug, stick with it. Changing it frequently may lead to broken links and confusion.
- Avoid Special Characters: Stick to alphanumeric characters and hyphens in your slug for maximum compatibility.
- Test Your URLs: After customization, check your site to ensure everything works correctly.
- Improve Security and Save Money: By changing the default WordPress Author Slug to something else, you’re making your site less prone to hacking and saving yourself tons of money in potential damages.
Conclusion
Changing your WordPress author slug and base is a small but effective way to make your website more personalized and user-friendly. With the power of customization, you’ll stand out from the crowd and build a memorable brand. So, take a few minutes to make these simple changes, and watch your online presence flourish!
Remember, your online identity matters, and every detail counts. Go ahead, give it a shot, and make your website truly yours!