## How to Show Total Number of Posts in WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide
**By Naveed Ahmed**
As a seasoned WordPress expert with over 15 years of experience, I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of showcasing your website’s content volume to attract and engage visitors. Displaying the total number of posts on your WordPress blog can act as powerful social proof, demonstrating your commitment to providing valuable content and building trust with your audience.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through two effective methods to achieve this, covering everything from plugin installation to code implementation. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a complete beginner, this article will equip you with the knowledge and tools to showcase your blog’s extensive content library.
### Why Display the Total Number of Posts in WordPress?
Imagine a visitor landing on your blog for the first time. They’re met with a few compelling articles, but how do you convince them there’s more where that came from? Displaying the total number of posts can work wonders in this scenario. Here’s why:
* **Social Proof:** A high post count acts as a visual testament to your blog’s longevity and commitment to producing valuable content. It signals to visitors that you’re a reliable source of information.
* **Increased Trust:** By showcasing a substantial body of work, you build trust with potential readers. They’re more likely to believe your content is well-researched, informative, and worth their time.
* **Encourages Exploration:** A prominent post count encourages visitors to delve deeper into your blog’s archives, increasing the chances they’ll discover more engaging content and stick around longer.
* **Promotes Engagement:** People are naturally drawn to numbers. Seeing a substantial number of posts can pique their curiosity and inspire them to explore your website further.
With a clear understanding of the benefits, let’s dive into the methods for displaying your blog’s post count.
### Method 1: Show Total Number of Posts in WordPress Using a Plugin
For those who prefer a quick and hassle-free approach, using a plugin is the recommended method. The Simple Blog Stats plugin makes the process incredibly easy.
Here’s how to implement it:
1. **Installation and Activation:** Begin by navigating to the “Plugins” section of your WordPress dashboard and clicking “Add New.” Search for “Simple Blog Stats,” install the plugin, and activate it.
2. **Configuration:** Once activated, go to “Settings” » “Simple Blog Stats” to configure the plugin’s settings. You’ll have options to customize the display of various stats, including the total post count.
3. **Using Shortcodes:** The plugin offers a convenient shortcode system for displaying the stats. Simply copy the `[sbs_posts]` shortcode and paste it into any WordPress post, page, or shortcode-enabled sidebar widget. This will display the total number of published posts on your site.
Alternatively, you can use the `[sbs_blog_stats]` shortcode to display all blog stats, including the post count.
### Method 2: Manually Display Total Number of Posts in WordPress
For those who prefer more control and like working directly with code, the manual method offers greater flexibility. This approach involves adding a snippet of code to your theme’s `functions.php` file or using a code snippets plugin like WPCode.
**Code Implementation:**
1. **Adding the Code:** Paste the following code into your theme’s `functions.php` file or a code snippets plugin:
“`php
function wpb_total_posts() {
$total = wp_count_posts()->publish;
echo ‘Total Posts: ‘ . $total;
}
“`
This code defines a function named `wpb_total_posts` that retrieves the total number of published posts (`wp_count_posts()->publish`) and displays it with the label “Total Posts:”.
2. **Displaying the Count:** To display the post count, you need to call the `wpb_total_posts()` function within your theme files where you want it to appear. For example, you could add the following line within your sidebar widget area:
“`php
“`
This line will execute the `wpb_total_posts()` function, displaying the total number of posts in the designated area.
**Creating a Shortcode:**
For even greater flexibility, you can create a shortcode to display the post count. Add the following code to your theme’s `functions.php` file or a code snippets plugin:
“`php
function wpb_total_posts() {
$total = wp_count_posts()->publish;
return $total;
}
add_shortcode(‘total_posts’,’wpb_total_posts’);
“`
This code creates a shortcode named `[total_posts]` which, when used in your posts, pages, or widgets, will display the total number of posts.
### Conclusion
Displaying the total number of posts on your WordPress blog is a simple yet effective way to boost your website’s credibility, encourage exploration, and enhance user engagement. By choosing the method that best suits your comfort level—whether it’s using a plugin or implementing code—you can empower your blog with valuable social proof.
Remember, a robust content library is a valuable asset for any blog. By showcasing this content effectively, you can attract new readers, keep them engaged, and establish yourself as a trusted authority in your niche.
## FAQs
###
What if I want to show the total number of posts for a specific category?
You can achieve this by modifying the code to include a category filter. For example, to show the total number of posts in the “Technology” category, you can use the following code:
“`php
function wpb_category_posts($category_name) {
$args = array(
‘post_type’ => ‘post’,
‘category_name’ => $category_name
);
$query = new WP_Query($args);
$total = $query->found_posts;
echo ‘Total Posts in ‘.$category_name.’: ‘ . $total;
}
“`
You can then use this function with the category name as an argument:
“`php
“`
###
Can I display the post count in a specific format?
You can use the `number_format_i18n` function to display the post count with commas for larger numbers or in different decimal formats. For example:
“`php
function wpb_total_posts() {
$total = wp_count_posts()->publish;
echo ‘Total Posts: ‘ . number_format_i18n($total);
}
“`
###
How do I display the total number of posts excluding a specific category?
You can use the `category__not_in` argument in your query to exclude certain categories from the count. For example, to exclude the “Uncategorized” category:
“`php
function wpb_total_posts_exclude_uncategorized() {
$args = array(
‘post_type’ => ‘post’,
‘category__not_in’ => array(1) // Replace 1 with the ID of the Uncategorized category
);
$query = new WP_Query($args);
$total = $query->found_posts;
echo ‘Total Posts: ‘ . $total;
}
“`
###
What if I want to display the post count using a custom text?
You can customize the text displayed along with the post count by simply modifying the `echo` statement in your code. For example, to display “We’ve published over…” followed by the post count:
“`php
function wpb_total_posts() {
$total = wp_count_posts()->publish;
echo ‘We’ve published over ‘ . $total . ‘ posts!’;
}
“`
###
Can I display the post count only if it exceeds a certain number?
You can use an `if` statement to display the post count only if it meets a specific condition:
“`php
function wpb_total_posts() {
$total = wp_count_posts()->publish;
if ($total > 100) { // Show the post count if it’s greater than 100
echo ‘Total Posts: ‘ . $total;
}
}
“`
###
Can I show the total number of posts for a specific custom post type?
You can modify the code to target specific custom post types by adding the `post_type` argument to your query. For example, to display the total number of posts for a custom post type named “products”:
“`php
function wpb_total_posts_custom_post_type($post_type) {
$args = array(
‘post_type’ => $post_type
);
$query = new WP_Query($args);
$total = $query->found_posts;
echo ‘Total ‘ . $post_type . ‘: ‘ . $total;
}
“`
###
Is there a way to exclude drafts and pending posts from the count?
You can achieve this by modifying the `wp_count_posts` function to exclude specific post statuses. For example, to exclude drafts and pending posts:
“`php
function wpb_total_posts_exclude_drafts_pending() {
$args = array(
‘post_type’ => ‘post’,
‘post_status’ => array( ‘publish’ ) // Include only published posts
);
$query = new WP_Query($args);
$total = $query->found_posts;
echo ‘Total Posts: ‘ . $total;
}
“`
###
Can I display the post count in a different language?
You can use the `__()` function for internationalization and translate the text used in your code. For example:
“`php
function wpb_total_posts() {
$total = wp_count_posts()->publish;
echo __(‘Total Posts: ‘, ‘your-plugin-textdomain’) . $total;
}
“`
Make sure to replace `your-plugin-textdomain` with the text domain for your plugin or theme.
###
Is there a plugin to show total post count without using shortcodes?
While many plugins offer shortcodes for displaying stats, some might provide alternative methods for displaying the post count. You’ll need to explore the plugin’s documentation for specific options.
###
Can I display the post count in a widget?
Yes, you can create a custom widget to display the post count. You’ll need to use the `WP_Widget` class to create the widget and include the code to retrieve and display the post count.
If you’re interested in learning more about tech news, feel free to visit my website: www.naveedahmed.me.