## How to Display Gravatar from User Email in WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide
**By Naveed Ahmed**
As a WordPress expert with over 15 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how Gravatars can transform your website’s user experience. Not only do they add a personal touch to comments and user profiles, but they can also boost engagement and build a sense of community.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about displaying Gravatars from user emails in WordPress. We’ll cover the basics, explore various methods, and delve into customization options for a truly engaging experience.
**What are Gravatars and Why Should You Use Them?**
Gravatar stands for “Globally Recognized Avatar” and is a free service that connects your email address to a profile picture. This profile picture then automatically appears on any website that supports Gravatar, such as your WordPress blog.
Here’s why using Gravatars is beneficial:
* **Personalized Experience:** Instead of generic icons, Gravatars showcase individual faces, creating a more personal and engaging experience for your visitors.
* **Enhanced Community Building:** Gravatars foster a sense of community by allowing users to recognize each other and build connections.
* **Increased Engagement:** Gravatars can encourage users to participate in discussions and leave comments, as they feel more connected to the community.
* **Improved Visual Appeal:** Gravatars can make your website more visually appealing, breaking up text and adding a touch of personality.
**Methods for Displaying Gravatars in WordPress**
Let’s explore the different methods you can use to display Gravatars in your WordPress website.
**Method 1: Edit Your WordPress Theme (Best for Consistency)**
This method is great for displaying Gravatars consistently across your entire website, such as in the sidebar or header. However, it requires editing your theme files, making it slightly more advanced.
**Steps:**
1. **Install WPCode Plugin:** Install and activate the free WPCode plugin from the WordPress plugin directory.
2. **Create a New Code Snippet:** Go to “Code Snippets” > “+ Add Snippet” in your WordPress dashboard.
3. **Paste the PHP Code:** Name the snippet and choose “PHP Snippet” as the code type. Paste the following code:
“`php
function wpbeginner_display_gravatar() {
global $current_user;
get_currentuserinfo();
$getuseremail = $current_user->user_email;
$usergravatar = ‘http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/’ . md5($getuseremail) . ‘?s=32’;
echo ‘
echo $getuseremail;
}
“`
4. **Configure Insertion and Activation:** Select “Auto Insert” and “Run Everywhere” under the “Insertion” section. Make sure the snippet is activated by toggling the switch to “Active.”
5. **Save the Snippet:** Click the “Save Snippet” button.
6. **Add the Function to Your Theme:** You can now display the Gravatar anywhere in your theme files using the following function:
“`php
“`
7. **Choose the Right Template File:** Place this function in the appropriate template file. For example, if you want the Gravatar to appear in your website’s header, you’ll need to edit the `header.php` file.
**Pro Tip:** If you run a multi-author blog, you can display the author’s Gravatar by adding the code to the blog post meta section instead.
**Method 2: Using a Custom WordPress Shortcode (Completely Customizable)**
This method gives you granular control over where Gravatars appear on your website, allowing you to use them in different locations on different pages or posts.
**Steps:**
1. **Install WPCode Plugin:** Ensure you have the WPCode plugin installed and activated.
2. **Create a New Code Snippet:** Go to “Code Snippets” > “+ Add Snippet” in your WordPress dashboard.
3. **Paste the PHP Code:** Name the snippet and choose “PHP Snippet” as the code type. Paste the following code:
“`php
function wpb_display_gravatar($atts) {
extract(shortcode_atts(array(‘wpb_user_email’ => ”,), $atts ));
if ($wpb_user_email == ”) {
global $current_user;
get_currentuserinfo();
$getuseremail = $current_user->user_email;
} else {
$getuseremail = $wpb_user_email;
$usergravatar = ‘http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/’ . md5($getuseremail) . ‘?s=32’;
echo ‘
}
}
add_shortcode(‘wpb_gravatar’, ‘wpb_display_gravatar’);
“`
4. **Configure Insertion and Activation:** Select “Auto Insert” and “Run Everywhere” under the “Insertion” section. Activate the snippet by toggling the switch to “Active.”
5. **Save the Snippet:** Click the “Save Snippet” button.
**Using the Shortcode:**
* **Basic Usage:** You can now display the Gravatar of the logged-in user using the following shortcode:
“`
[wpb_gravatar]
“`
* **Specific Email Address:** To display the Gravatar associated with a specific email address, add the `wpb_user_email` attribute to the shortcode:
“`
[wpb_gravatar wpb_user_email=”[email protected]”]
“`
**Customizing Gravatar Appearance with CSS:**
You can customize the appearance of Gravatars using CSS to enhance their integration with your website’s design.
* **Add Custom CSS:** Paste the following CSS code into your theme’s stylesheet or in the “Additional CSS” section of the WordPress Customizer:
“`css
.wpb_gravatar {
padding: 3px;
margin: 3px;
background:#FFFFFF;
border:3px solid #eee;
}
“`
* **Adjust Settings:** Modify the values for padding, margin, background color, and border properties to achieve your desired look.
**Adding the Shortcode Using the Full Site Editor:**
If you’re using a block-based WordPress theme, you can add the shortcode to any template or template part using the Full Site Editor. This allows for seamless Gravatar integration without manually editing theme files.
**Steps:**
1. **Go to the Full Site Editor:** Navigate to “Appearance” > “Editor” in your WordPress dashboard.
2. **Select the Template:** Choose the template or template part where you want to display the Gravatar. For example, you might select the “404 Page” template or the “Header” template part.
3. **Add the Shortcode Block:** Click the blue “+” icon in the top left corner and search for “Shortcode.”
4. **Insert the Shortcode:** Drag and drop the “Shortcode” block into your template and paste or type the `[wpb_gravatar]` shortcode within the block.
5. **Save Changes:** Click the “Save” button.
**Bonus: Lazy Load Gravatars in WordPress Comments**
Lazy loading Gravatars in your WordPress comments is a great way to improve your site’s performance. This prevents images from loading until they are visible on the page, reducing loading times and improving the user experience.
**Steps:**
1. **Install the a3 Lazy Load Plugin:** Download and activate the a3 Lazy Load plugin from the WordPress plugin directory.
2. **Enable Lazy Loading for Gravatars:** Go to “Settings” > “a3 Lazy Load” in your WordPress dashboard. Expand the “Lazy Load Images” tab and toggle the switch for “Gravatars” to “On.”
3. **Save Changes:** Click the “Save Changes” button.
**Conclusion**
Displaying Gravatars in your WordPress website can significantly enhance your user experience and engagement. By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can easily add a personal touch to your website, build a stronger community, and improve visual appeal.
**FAQs**
**
What if a user doesn’t have a Gravatar?
**
If a user doesn’t have a Gravatar, WordPress will automatically display a default Gravatar image. You can customize the default Gravatar image in your WordPress settings.
**
Can I use a different image instead of a Gravatar?
**
Yes, you can use a custom image instead of a Gravatar. This is useful for displaying a company logo or a placeholder image. You can achieve this by modifying the image URL in the code snippets we provided or by using a custom image URL in the `get_avatar()` function.
**
How do I change the size of Gravatars?
**
You can adjust the size of Gravatars using the `s` parameter in the Gravatar URL. For example, `?s=64` would display a Gravatar with a size of 64 pixels. You can also customize the size using CSS.
**
How can I prevent Gravatars from appearing on my website?
**
You can disable Gravatar display by using plugins or by modifying your theme’s functions.php file. Plugins like “Disable Gravatars” provide a simple solution to disable them site-wide.
**
What are the different Gravatar rating options?
**
Gravatar offers different rating options to control the content displayed in the images. The rating options include: G (General Audiences), PG (Parental Guidance Suggested), R (Restricted), and X (Adults Only). You can adjust the rating option in your WordPress settings to filter inappropriate images.
**
How do I create a Gravatar account?
**
To create a Gravatar account, visit the Gravatar website and sign up using your email address. You can then upload a profile picture and choose your rating preferences.
**
Can I use Gravatars on my website even if I’m not using WordPress?
**
Yes, Gravatars can be used on any website that supports the Gravatar API. You can use the `get_avatar()` function to retrieve the Gravatar image associated with an email address.
**
What are some tips for choosing a good Gravatar image?
**
When choosing a Gravatar image, select a clear and professional photo. Avoid using images that are too small, pixelated, or inappropriate. A clear headshot is often a great choice.
**
Can I change my Gravatar image without changing my email address?
**
Yes, you can update your Gravatar image without changing your email address. You can simply log in to your Gravatar account and upload a new image.
**
Why does my Gravatar not appear on my website?
**
There are a few reasons why your Gravatar might not appear. Ensure that you have a Gravatar account associated with the email address you’re using on your website. Also, check if Gravatars are enabled in your WordPress settings. If you’re using a custom function or shortcode to display Gravatars, check the code for any errors.
**
Where can I find more resources about Gravatars?
**
You can find more information about Gravatars on the official Gravatar website: https://en.gravatar.com/
If you’re interested in learning more about tech news, feel free to visit my website: www.naveedahmed.me.