Breadcrumbs

What Are Breadcrumbs in WordPress?

Breadcrumbs in WordPress serve as navigational aids to help users understand their location within a website’s hierarchy. There are several types, each serving a specific purpose.

Hierarchy-based Breadcrumbs

Hierarchy-based breadcrumbs show the path from the homepage to the current page. For example, a user on an article page might see: Home > Blog > Article.

This method helps users understand the structure and their current position within the site. Statistics indicate that websites implementing this type of breadcrumb report improved user navigation.

Attribute-based Breadcrumbs

Attribute-based breadcrumbs are particularly useful for e-commerce sites. They display product attributes such as category and subcategory. For example, a user on a product page might see: Home > Electronics > Mobile Phones > Brand.

This type of breadcrumb aids users in navigating back to product lists based on specific attributes.

History-based Breadcrumbs

History-based breadcrumbs show the user’s path through the site. These breadcrumbs can be useful for users wishing to retrace their steps.

For instance, a sequence might appear as: Home > Previous Page > Current Page. This method assists users in understanding the sequence of their navigation.

Plugins and Implementation

Implementing breadcrumbs in WordPress can be facilitated through various plugins. Each plugin offers unique features and benefits.

Yoast SEO

The Yoast SEO plugin provides a breadcrumb block that can be directly added to individual posts and pages through the block editor.

1. Install and activate Yoast SEO.
2. Navigate to SEO > Search Appearance > Breadcrumbs to enable the feature.
3. Use the Yoast SEO breadcrumbs block in the block editor for posts or pages.

All in One SEO

The All in One SEO plugin also supports breadcrumbs.

4. Install and activate All in One SEO.
5. Go to All in One SEO > General Settings > Breadcrumbs to enable the feature.

Breadcrumb NavXT

Breadcrumb NavXT is a popular plugin that supports Schema.org BreadcrumbList markup.

6. Install and activate Breadcrumb NavXT.
7. Configure settings in the WordPress dashboard.
8. Add the breadcrumb shortcode [breadcrumb] to desired pages or posts.

In 2018, the Breadcrumb NavXT plugin introduced new features, including REST API endpoints for posts, terms, and author archives, enhancing its functionality.

Catch Breadcrumb

Catch Breadcrumb is a straightforward tool offering options to hide breadcrumbs on the homepage.

9. Install and activate Catch Breadcrumb.
10. Configure settings in the WordPress dashboard.
11. Add the shortcode [catch-breadcrumb] to desired pages or posts.

Benefits and Statistics

Breadcrumbs significantly enhance user experience (UX) and search engine optimization (SEO). Websites with breadcrumbs exhibit a 10% lower bounce rate as opposed to those without. They also increase the average time spent on a site by 5-10%. These metrics underscore the importance of effective site navigation.

Additionally, Google favors pages with breadcrumbs, as they help search engines understand site structure. Breadcrumbs appear in Google search results, offering an overview of a webpage’s position within the site hierarchy.

This improves both visibility and user navigation.

Real-Life Scenarios

Practical implementation often involves troubleshooting. For example, a user employing the Breadcrumb NavXT plugin encountered a syntax error after adding code to their header.php file. Resolution was achieved by referring to a guide on correct code insertion into WordPress.

Another common issue involves displaying breadcrumbs on the homepage. A user resolved this by contacting All in One SEO support, who provided CSS code to hide breadcrumbs specifically on the homepage.

Studies and Findings

Empirical evidence supports the effectiveness of breadcrumbs. A study by Kinsta demonstrated that breadcrumbs improve UX and SEO. The study outlined four methods to incorporate breadcrumbs into a WordPress site:

12. Using Yoast SEO.
13. Installing a specific breadcrumb plugin.
14. Utilizing a theme with built-in breadcrumb functionality.
15. Manually adding breadcrumbs using code.

These methods cater to different user preferences and technical expertise levels, providing flexible options for integration.