In the dynamic WordPress, where content supremacy is paramount, plugins designed for showcasing related posts play a pivotal role in capturing and sustaining visitor’s attention.
These plugins serve a dual purpose by aiding users in discovering relevant and valuable content while extending the duration of their site.
Consider WordPress-related post plugins as seasoned guides, skillfully leading site visitors to unexplored territories and unveiling the most captivating destinations.
The magic of WordPress plugins lies in their ability to address a common dilemma users face. Once users conclude reading an article, they often find themselves at a crossroads, unsure whether to stay or navigate away.
This is precisely where the plugin takes center stage, seamlessly entering the scene to present users with articles on the site that align with their interests.
Through thoughtfully curated recommendations, these plugins significantly enhance the overall user experience on a WordPress site.
By guiding users towards content they are likely to find engaging, the selected related post articles work harmoniously with the plugin, fostering a more enriched and satisfying interaction for the site’s visitors.
A. Benefits of Related Posts WordPress Plugins
1. Increased User Engagement
Related post plugins help keep visitors on your site longer by providing additional content that matches their interests. By suggesting relevant articles, these plugins encourage users to explore more of your content, increasing page views and reducing bounce rates.
2. Improved SEO
Related post plugins can positively impact your site’s SEO. By linking to other relevant content, they enhance internal linking, which helps search engines understand your site’s structure and content hierarchy. This can lead to better indexing and higher search engine rankings.
3. Higher Page Views
By showcasing related content, these plugins can lead to an increase in page views per visit. This is especially beneficial for monetized sites, as more page views often translate to higher ad impressions and revenue.
4. Enhanced User Experience
Providing visitors with easy access to related content improves their overall experience on your site. Users are more likely to return to a site that offers valuable and easily accessible information, which can help build a loyal audience.
5. Reduced Bounce Rate
When visitors find more interesting content to read, they are less likely to leave your site after viewing just one page. This reduces the bounce rate, which is a positive signal to search engines and can improve your site’s SEO performance.
6. Content Discoverability
Related post plugins help users discover content that they might not have found otherwise. This can be particularly useful for large sites with extensive archives, as it brings older, still relevant content back into the spotlight.
7. Increased Time on Site
By engaging users with related content, these plugins can increase the average time visitors spend on your site. This metric is another indicator of user engagement and can be beneficial for SEO.
8. Better Content Organization
These plugins can help organize your content into clusters or categories, making it easier for users to navigate and find related articles. This systematic approach can improve the overall structure and usability of your site.
9. Boost in Conversions
For e-commerce sites or blogs with call-to-actions, related post plugins can help direct users to relevant product pages or services, potentially increasing conversion rates. By keeping users engaged, you have more opportunities to guide them towards desired actions.
10. Encourages Deep Linking
Related post plugins encourage deep linking within your site, which can distribute link equity more evenly across your pages. This helps improve the authority of individual pages and can enhance the overall SEO performance of your site.
11. Personalized User Experience
Some advanced related post plugins use algorithms to analyze user behavior and preferences, offering more personalized content recommendations. This can significantly improve user satisfaction and retention.
12. Content Recycling
By highlighting older posts that are still relevant, related post plugins help recycle content, ensuring it continues to generate value long after its initial publication. This maximizes the return on investment for each piece of content you create.
B. Top WordPress-Related Post Plugins
1. JetEngine (Premium)
JetEngine is a premium solution providing a comprehensive set of advanced configuration options for managing related posts on your website.
This plugin significantly enhances user-friendliness by seamlessly integrating post recommendations into your site. It introduces two dynamic ways to display related posts: the Dynamic Field and Listing Grid widgets.
The Dynamic Field widget allows the author’s posts to be showcased on a single page. In contrast, the Listing Grid widget presents a separate section with dynamically changing posts linked to a custom post type.
Key Features:
- Unparalleled settings and flexibility for selecting and configuring relevant posts.
- Integrating a Query Builder tool allows fine-tuning of the order of displaying related posts.
- Enables relations between posts and taxonomies and between users or posts and users.
- Complete control over where related posts will be displayed.
2. Contextual Related Posts (Free)
Contextual Related Posts emerges as a free plugin renowned for enhancing SEO. Its robust algorithm analyzes user actions on the website, intelligently selecting and displaying recommended articles to boost user interaction.
Key Features:
- Smart algorithm for selecting recommended articles.
- Automatic article display based on user actions.
- Embedding related posts in widgetized site areas.
- Outputting articles using shortcodes.
- REST API support.
- Ability to exclude posts from related post lists for specific categories or tags.
Pricing: Free.
Pros:
- Ability to design a list of related posts using custom CSS code.
- Set the length of the excerpt in words and remove HTML tags if necessary.
- Automatic plugin configuration.
- Multiple customization options.
- Good reputation with positive feedback.
- Ability to configure HTML tags and attributes used to display related posts.
- Forever free.
Cons:
- Reportedly poor support.
3. Related Posts (Freemium)
Related Posts, a user-friendly plugin by PickPlugins, is praised for its simplicity and efficiency. With quick installation and a minimalist design, it organizes recommended articles for website users.
Key Features:
- Displays related posts under paragraphs and before/after content.
- Supports manual post selection and advanced queries.
- Customizable layouts.
- Analytics and reporting features.
Pricing: A free version is available, and additional features can be obtained in the pro version for $9 per year.
Pros:
- Customizable display options to match site design.
- Supports various post types.
- Easy to use.
- Responsive design.
Cons:
- A premium version is needed for full customization.
4. Custom Related Posts (Free)
For those aiming to maintain a well-curated collection of posts with an appealing design, Custom Related Posts by Bootstrapped Ventures emerges as an excellent choice.
This plugin offers ease of use, a quick manual algorithm setup, and the capability to import from XML, making it a valuable tool in the quest for customer attention.
Key Features:
- Manually link related posts on post/page edit pages.
- Display posts via shortcode, widget, or block.
- Detailed customization options.
- Import from XML using post IDs.
- Compatibility with Classic and Gutenberg editors.
Pricing: Free.
Pros:
- Responsive design.
- Full control over related content links.
- Flexible display options for seamless integration.
- User-friendly.
Cons: Poor support.
5. Inline Related Posts (Freemium)
Providing a quick and effortless way to select recommended posts, Inline Related Posts by Data443 streamlines the process with minimal setup requirements.
Ideal for news sites like Forbes and Wall Street Journal, this plugin simplifies the inclusion of related posts.
Key Features:
- 20+ customization options.
- Smart line break detection.
- Analytics and reporting features.
- Ability to place multiple related post boxes on the same page.
Pricing: A free version is available, and additional features can be obtained in the pro version for $79 per year.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- A powerful solution for inline-related posts.
- Fast configuration.
Cons:
- Simple design.
- There are up to three related boxes in the free version.
- The plugin displays only one post at a time in one box and lacks the functionality to display a list of posts.
6. WordPress Related Posts (Freemium)
The Related Posts for WordPress plugin simplifies setting up recommended posts with claims of one-click automation.
It allows instant creation of a selection of recommended posts, with the option for manual customization of their display.
Key Features:
- Automatic linking of related posts.
- Installation wizard for easy setup.
- Manual adjustment of related posts.
- Covers post addition via shortcodes and widgets.
Pricing: A free version and a premium version start from $49 per year.
Pros:
- Easy installation.
- Responsive for mobile devices.
- Supports manual and automatic linking.
- Multisite support.
Cons: The free version has limited functionality.
7. Related Posts Thumbnails (Free)
Unlike the typical aesthetics of related-posts plugins, Related Posts Thumbnails introduces unique customization opportunities combined with a powerful algorithm.
It promises to enhance user engagement by appealingly presenting related posts.
Key Features:
- Customizable thumbnail sizes and display settings.
- Supports custom post types and taxonomies.
- Automatic and manual linking of related posts.
- Ability to select types of relations (categories, tags, or both).
- Specify where to display related posts (page type, post type, or select categories).
Pricing: Free.
Pros:
- Easy installation.
- Responsive for mobile devices.
- Supports manual and automatic linking.
- Multisite support.
- Ability to use shortcodes in the post body.
Cons: The free version is somewhat limited.
8. YARPP – Yet Another Related Post Plugin (Free)
Yet Another Related Post Plugin (YARPP) is a straightforward plugin designed for quick installation and display of recommended articles.
Known for its automation capabilities, YARPP can automate display options right below post content.
Key Features:
- Advanced algorithm considering post titles, content, tags, categories, and custom taxonomies.
- Customizable templates for personalized display.
- Supports custom post types and taxonomies.
- Compatible with WordPress Multisite, bbPress forums, and WooCommerce.
- Full range of placement options.
- RSS/feed options.
- Supports Block Editor (Gutenberg).
- REST API support.
- Shortcode available.
Pricing: Free.
Pros:
- Highly customizable.
- Responsive for mobile devices.
- Supports manual and automatic linking.
- Fast setup.
- Advanced post-selection algorithm.
- Multilingual support.
Cons: Poor support for the plugin was reported.
C. Factors to Consider for Related Posts WordPress Plugins
- Customization
Customizing the appearance of your posts is vital to maintaining a cohesive and visually appealing website. Here’s how to approach customization:
- Cover Images: Ensure the plugin allows you to use eye-catching cover images for related posts. These images should be relevant and high-quality to attract user attention.
- Design Consistency: The plugin should offer design options that match your website’s overall style. Look for plugins that allow you to customize fonts, colors, and layouts to seamlessly integrate with your site’s theme.
- Flexible Layouts: Opt for plugins that provide various layout options, such as grid, list, or carousel views, enabling you to choose the format that best fits your content structure and design preference.
- Custom CSS: Advanced customization might require custom CSS. Ensure the plugin supports custom CSS so you can tweak the design beyond the provided options.
- Analytics and Reporting
Understanding how well your recommended articles are performing is crucial for optimizing your content strategy. Here’s what to look for in terms of analytics and reporting:
- Click Tracking: The plugin should track the number of clicks each recommended post receives, providing insights into user engagement.
- View Metrics: Look for plugins that measure how many times the recommended posts are viewed, helping you gauge their visibility.
- Conversion Tracking: Advanced plugins might offer conversion tracking to show how recommended posts contribute to goals like newsletter sign-ups or purchases.
- Integration with Analytics Tools: Plugins that integrate with Google Analytics or other analytics platforms can provide more comprehensive data and insights.
- Support and Updates
Reliable support and regular updates are crucial for the smooth operation and security of your related post plugin. Here’s why they matter:
- Regular Updates: Plugins that are frequently updated are more likely to be compatible with the latest WordPress versions and offer enhanced features.
- Active Support: Good support means you can get help quickly if you encounter issues. Look for plugins with a dedicated support team or an active community forum.
- Bug Fixes: Regular updates also ensure that any bugs or security vulnerabilities are promptly addressed, maintaining the plugin’s performance and safety.
- Responsiveness
Ensuring that your post plugin displays correctly on all devices is essential for a seamless user experience. Here’s what to consider:
- Mobile Compatibility: The plugin should automatically adjust the layout of related posts to fit various screen sizes, from desktops to smartphones.
- Testing Tools: Before finalizing a plugin, test its responsiveness using tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test or simply by viewing your site on different devices.
- Adaptive Design Options: Some plugins offer specific settings for mobile and tablet views, allowing further customization to enhance the mobile experience.
D. Summarizing Top 10 WordPress-Related Post Plugins for Boosting User Engagement
Any successful website’s engagement value depends much on WordPress-related post plugins to keep viewers interested in checking relevant content through suggestions.
As they show a list of related posts, the use of these kinds of WordPress plugins makes their experience free from bumps for visitors by lessening their bounce rate and increasing viewers’ stay in time.
Among the top related post plugins, there are flexible options designed to cater to various needs for any website, from lightweight, speed-focused approaches to rich customization-filled plugins.
Options include yet Another Related Posts Plugin (YARPP) for its more advanced algorithms and Contextual Related Posts for simplicity. Site owners can thus improve user journeys according to preferences and behavior.
All these plugins are geared toward increased engagement, so a website becomes stickier and more valuable to its user base.
Suggested read: Media Management Made Easy: The Best Free WordPress Plugins.
E. Common FAQs on WordPress-Related Post Plugins
Do related posts help with SEO?
Yes, incorporating related posts positively impacts SEO metrics. By offering users recommended posts, their interest in additional content is heightened, leading to an extended time spent on the site, which, in turn, contributes positively to the website’s overall SEO performance.
Can I exclude certain posts from being displayed as related?
Certainly, it is possible to exclude specific posts from the recommended selection. However, it’s worth noting that not all plugins offer this exclusion feature.
How does the plugin determine related posts?
Typically, WordPress-related post plugins employ an automated algorithm. This algorithm considers the title, content tags, and post/page category. In some plugins, developers can configure the selection algorithm according to their preferences.
