What Is a Blogroll in WordPress?
A blogroll in WordPress is a list of links to other blogs or websites related to your own blog. These links can include references to other websites owned by the blogger, admired blogs, or any recommended sites for users to explore.
The blogroll features prominently in the early blogging culture, originating when blogging was predominantly personal and community-oriented. Bloggers frequently linked to blogs they enjoyed, fostering a web of interconnected sites.
WordPress included a blogroll feature from its beginning. Initially named “Links,” it was renamed “Blogroll” in WordPress version 2.1 in 2007, only to revert back to “Links” in version 2.5 in 2008. The feature was subsequently removed from the core in WordPress version 3.5 in 2012.
Despite its removal, users can still incorporate a blogroll using plugins such as “Link Manager” or custom menus. This sequence of renaming underscores WordPress’s iterative approach to feature development, adapting to evolving usage patterns over time.
SEO and Traffic Benefits
Blogrolls serve as an effective SEO strategy to interlink pages, enhancing domain authority and search engine rankings. Links included in a blogroll can drive traffic and bolster brand awareness by referencing related content.
Websites can leverage these links to improve their positions in search results through strategic interlinking. Informative and relevant links in blogrolls also contribute to a more robust and interconnected web presence, presenting the linked pages as valuable resources.
Opinions among developers vary. Some regard the blogroll feature as obsolete, preferring modern systems like adding relevant links to menu bars or utilizing sidebar widgets.
Nonetheless, a subset of site owners continues to find utility in blogrolls, using them to enhance online visibility and brand authority. Their persistence in incorporating blogrolls demonstrates a tailored approach to content management, catering to unique site requirements.
Community Building through Blogrolls
In the nascent stages of the blogging phenomenon, blogrolls played a critical role in community building. Bloggers would link to friends’ or community members’ blogs, fostering a sense of connection and establishing a network.
Over time, as blogging transitioned into a more mainstream and competitive domain, the practice of community-centric blogrolls declined. This historical context highlights the shift from personal community building to the current content and visibility-focused applications of blogrolls in WordPress.
Despite this decline, some users continue to harness blogrolls to enhance user experience by guiding visitors to recommended sites. This approach is particularly beneficial for websites that manage multiple blogs or intend to promote partner content.
Strategically placed blogrolls can facilitate smoother navigation for users, directing attention to curated, pertinent content.
Practical Implementation of Blogrolls
Using Menus
To add a blogroll using WordPress menus, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to “Appearance” and select “Menus.”
2. Create a new menu and name it (e.g., Blogroll).
3. Add custom links by entering the URL and link text.
4. Save the menu and assign it to the desired location, such as the sidebar or footer, through the “Widgets” section.
This method enables streamlined inclusion of blogrolls within the site architecture, maintaining consistency with the site’s overall design and functionality.
Using Plugins
For users preferring plugins, the “Link Library” plugin is a commonly utilized tool. To integrate a blogroll using “Link Library,” proceed as follows:
1. Install and activate the “Link Library” plugin.
2. Configure the plugin settings, including general options, library settings, and stylesheet customization.
3. Add links to the library and display them on a page using shortcodes.
This plugin offers comprehensive customization options, such as displaying RSS feeds of links, managing link submissions, and verifying link integrity.
Advanced features enable users to adapt the appearance of the blogroll using CSS, ensuring seamless integration with the website’s visual theme.
Additional Considerations
Mobile Usage
Given that over 55% of online users browse the web on handheld devices, it is essential to prioritize mobile compatibility in website design, including blogroll display. Ensuring that blogrolls are accessible and user-friendly on mobile devices contributes to an optimal user experience across different platforms.
Plugin Statistics and Developer Perspectives
The utility of plugins extends beyond the mere inclusion of blogrolls. For instance, “Link Library” facilitates link organization, customization, and functionality checks, augmenting the flexibility and management of blogrolls.
Developer perspectives reflect divergent views on the necessity of blogrolls, with some advocating for modern alternatives and others valuing the traditional blogroll framework for specific use cases.