WordPress Help Articles

Updated: September 26, 2024

Removing the website URL field from WordPress comments is an effective method to reduce spam and prevent backlinks from being added through comments. By default, WordPress provides a field for users to add their website URLs when commenting on posts. While this can help connect commenters to their websites, it also opens the door for spammers looking to drop links for SEO purposes. Fortunately, WordPress offers simple solutions to eliminate this feature either through code or by using a plugin.

Why Remove the Website URL from WordPress Comments Field?

When users comment on a WordPress post, the form typically includes fields for a name, email, and website URL. Unfortunately, many spammers take advantage of the website URL field to insert irrelevant or harmful links. These links can dilute the credibility of your site and increase spammy content, which is detrimental to SEO and overall user experience.

By removing the URL field, you can discourage spam comments and focus on building meaningful user engagement without the hassle of cleaning up irrelevant content. For site owners who manage comments manually, eliminating the website URL field reduces the time spent reviewing comments for suspicious links.

Method 1: Use a Simple Plugin

For those unfamiliar with code or simply looking for a faster method, installing a plugin is the easiest solution. The “Remove Website URL from Comments” plugin does exactly what its name suggests. To use it:

1. Download the plugin.
2. Install it through the WordPress admin panel.
3. Activate it.

Once the plugin is activated, the website URL field will no longer appear in the comment form, providing an immediate reduction in potential spam. This solution is ideal for users who prefer a straightforward, code-free approach.

Method 2: Modify Your Theme’s Code

For those more comfortable with WordPress customization, removing the website URL field via code offers another solution. By adding a few lines of code to your theme’s functions.php file, you can disable the URL field manually.

Here’s the code snippet:

function viawebs_plugins_remove_website_url ($fields){
    if(isset($fields['url']))
       unset($fields['url']);
       return $fields;
}
add_filter('comment_form_default_fields', 'viawebs_plugins_remove_website_url');

To apply this:

1. Open your theme’s functions.php file (preferably in a child theme to prevent changes from being overwritten during theme updates).
2. Paste the above code into the file.
3. Save the file.

This code removes the URL field by unsetting it within the comment form, effectively stopping users from adding a URL when commenting.

Benefits of Removing the URL Field

Removing the website URL field from your WordPress comments section comes with several advantages:

• Reduces Spam: Many spammers target the URL field to leave backlinks. By removing it, you reduce the chance of these spammy submissions.
• Enhances Site Security: Spammy URLs could lead to harmful or malicious websites. Reducing the number of external links helps secure your site.
• Improves SEO: Less spam means better quality comments, which in turn can have a positive impact on your site’s SEO. Search engines favor content with meaningful user engagement and fewer irrelevant links.
• Saves Time: Managing comments becomes easier as you won’t need to sift through as many spam comments with unwanted links.

Considerations

While removing the URL field can significantly reduce spam, it’s essential to weigh its impact on user interaction. Some legitimate users might want to share their website, so eliminating the URL field could remove that option. However, most users primarily engage in discussions, and you can still allow them to share relevant links within the comment content itself, which you can moderate more effectively.

Removing the website URL from WordPress comments is a smart move to reduce spam and improve the quality of user interactions on your site. Whether you choose to install a plugin or modify the code manually, this simple change can save you time and help secure your site from harmful backlinks. By focusing on meaningful engagement, you’ll create a more valuable and trustworthy comment section.

 

Download this code as a WordPress Plugin