WordPress: Removing the Mysterious Post Author

WordPress is beyond amazing! It’s utterly stunning how easy it is to create and publish content, especially for bloggers, businesses, and individuals looking to mark their place in the online world. However, there’s one little thing, by default, WordPress adds the author’s name to every single post, engaging perhaps, but not always ideal for everyone. If you’re looking to appear as the absent author in WordPress, then fear not! This article provides you with a comprehensive guide on how to remove it.

Method 1: Using a Plugin

The quickest and easiest way to ditch the post author in WordPress is by using a plugin, hallelujah! Selecting the right plugin depends on the theme that you are using; however, this article covers the three most common methods that work across all WordPress themes.

1. Hide/Remove Metadata

You can kiss author, date and other metadata goodbye using this plugin. After installing and activating it, you’ll have access to the plugin’s setting page to remove any elements from your posts that you don’t want.

2. Simple Custom CSS and JS

This fantastic plugin allows you to inject custom CSS or JavaScript to your WordPress site. After setting it up, you can add the following code to the Custom CSS section:

.post-author { display: none; }

Voila! This code will hide the author’s name from the post.

Method 2: CSS Code

For those who prefer to have more control over the design of their site, using CSS code to remove the author’s name is a fantastic option. This method requires a basic understanding of CSS, so make sure you have that before proceeding.

How to use CSS Code

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard and go to Appearance > Customize.
2. In the Customizer menu, click on “Additional CSS.”
3. Add the following code to the Additional CSS box: .post-author { display:none; }
4. Hooray! Click on the Publish button to save your changes.

By using this method, you can hide other elements in your theme as well, such as the date or categories.

Method 3: Modifying Theme Files

This option is best for those who have coding experience and are comfortable editing their theme’s files.

How to modify the theme files:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Appearance > Theme Editor.
2. Select the file where you want to remove the author name – it may vary depending on your theme, but it’s usually located in the “single.php” or “content.php” file.
3. Locate the code that displays the author name – it typically looks like this:
   <span class="post-author">by <?php the_author(); ?></span>
4. Remove the code that displays the author’s name, and it should look like this:
   <span class="post-author"></span>
5. Click on the Update File button to save your changes.

Conclusion

Removing the post author from your WordPress site can help you maintain a clean and organized aesthetic that aligns with your brand. The different methods outlined in this article are all effective to hide the author name, whether it’s by using a plugin or CSS code, or by modifying your theme’s file. Make sure always to back up your site before making any changes to avoid any mess!