How To Display The Most Commented Posts On WordPress

Are you looking for a way to showcase the most popular and engaging content on your WordPress website?

One effective method is to display the most commented posts, as it helps to highlight articles that have generated a lot of discussion and interest among your audience.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of “How to display the most commented posts on WordPress”.

 

Introduction

As a website owner, it’s crucial to understand the value of user engagement. By showcasing the most commented posts on your WordPress site, you can draw attention to the articles that have sparked the most interest and encourage visitors to participate in the discussions.

This not only increases the time spent on your site but also enhances your overall user experience.

 

Why Displaying Most Commented Posts is Important

Displaying the most commented posts offers several benefits for your WordPress website:

• Social Proof: When visitors see that certain articles have received a large number of comments, they perceive them as more valuable and credible.
• Increased Engagement: By featuring posts with active discussions, you encourage users to join the conversation, leaving their comments and opinions.
• Content Discoverability: Displaying popular posts allows users to easily find content that has resonated with other readers, driving more traffic to those specific articles.
• Improved SEO: User engagement, such as comments, signals search engines that your content is relevant and valuable, potentially improving your search rankings.

 

The Power of Social Proof

Humans are social creatures, and we are often influenced by the actions and decisions of others. This psychological phenomenon is known as social proof.

When visitors see that certain posts have garnered a significant number of comments, they perceive those posts as more valuable and relevant.

By leveraging social proof by displaying the most commented posts, you can effectively attract more visitors and inspire them to participate actively.

 

 

How To Display The Most Commented Posts On WordPress

 

Installing and Activating the Popular Posts Plugin

To display the most commented posts on your WordPress site, we will be using the “WordPress Popular Posts” plugin. Here’s how to install and activate it:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to “Plugins” in the left-hand menu and click on “Add New.”
3. In the search bar, type “WordPress Popular Posts.”
4. Look for the “WordPress Popular Posts” plugin and click “Install Now.”
5. After installation, click on “Activate” to activate the plugin.

 

Configuring the Popular Posts Plugin

Once the “WordPress Popular Posts” plugin is activated, you need to configure its settings. Follow these steps:

1. From the WordPress dashboard, go to “Settings” and click on “Popular Posts.”
2. Adjust the plugin settings according to your preferences. You can define the time range for counting comments, choose the number of posts to display, and customize the appearance.
3. Save the changes once you have configured the settings.

 

 

Displaying Most Commented Posts in WordPress Sidebar

One common placement for showcasing the most commented posts is the sidebar. To display them in this area, follow these steps:

1. From the WordPress dashboard, navigate to “Appearance” and click on “Widgets.”
2. Locate the “Popular Posts” widget and drag it to the desired sidebar area.
3. Configure the widget settings, such as the title, the number of posts to display, and the time range for counting comments.
4. Save the changes, and the most commented posts will now appear in the selected sidebar area on your site.

 

Showing Most Commented Posts in WordPress Widgets

Apart from the sidebar, you can also display the most commented posts using other WordPress widgets. Here’s how to do it:

1. From the WordPress dashboard, go to “Appearance” and click on “Widgets.”
2. Look for widgets like “Popular Posts,” “Recent Comments,” or “Popular Topics” that support displaying the most commented posts.
3. Drag the widget to the desired widget area.
4. Configure the widget settings as per your requirements.
5. Save the changes, and the most commented posts will be displayed in the designated widget area on your website.

 

 

Customizing the Appearance of Most Commented Posts

To ensure the most commented posts blend seamlessly with your website’s design, you can customize their appearance. Follow these steps:

1. From the WordPress dashboard, navigate to “Appearance” and click on “Customize.”
2. Depending on your theme, locate the “Additional CSS” or “Custom CSS” option.
3. Add CSS code to modify the appearance of the most commented posts. You can change font styles, colors, spacing, or even add borders.
4. Preview the changes, and once you are satisfied, click “Publish” to make them live on your site.

 

Adding Most Commented Posts to WordPress Theme

If you want to display the most commented posts directly within your WordPress theme, you can use code snippets. Here’s how:

1. • Access your WordPress dashboard and go to “Appearance” > “Editor.”
   • Locate the “Theme Functions” file (functions.php) and click on it.
   • Add the following code to the file:

<?php
// Display most commented posts
$args = array(
'orderby' => 'comment_count',
'posts_per_page' => 5
);
$popular_posts = new WP_Query($args);

if ($popular_posts->have_posts()) {
while ($popular_posts->have_posts()) {
$popular_posts->the_post();
// Display post title, link, or any other information you want
// Example: the_title();
}
}
wp_reset_postdata();
?>

• Customize the code as needed, such as changing the number of posts to display.
• Click “Update File” to save the changes.

 

FAQs: Display The Most Commented Posts

Can I display the most commented posts only from a specific category?

Yes, many popular posts plugins allow you to filter posts by category, allowing you to display the most commented posts from a particular category or multiple categories.

Will showcasing the most commented posts affect my website’s loading speed?

It depends on the plugin you use and how you configure it. Some plugins optimize their queries to minimize the impact on loading speed. However, it’s recommended to monitor your website’s performance after implementing any new feature.

Can I manually select which posts to showcase as the most commented?

Most popular post plugins automatically calculate the comment count and display posts accordingly. However, if you want more control over the selection, you may need to explore custom solutions or consult a developer.

Are there any alternatives to the “Popular Posts” plugin?

Yes, there are several popular post plugins available in the WordPress repository, such as “WordPress Popular Posts,” “Jetpack – Popular Posts,” and “Contextual Related Posts.” You can explore these alternatives and choose the one that best suits your needs.

How often should I update the most commented posts section on my website?

It’s a good practice to periodically update the most commented posts section to keep the content fresh and relevant. Depending on your website’s activity, you can consider updating it weekly or monthly.

 

 

Conclusion: Display The Most Commented Posts On WordPress

Displaying the most commented posts on WordPress is a powerful method to enhance user engagement, foster a sense of community, and boost your site’s performance.

By leveraging plugins, widgets, customization options, and gamification techniques, you can create an environment that encourages users to actively participate in discussions and share their insights.

Additionally, the SEO benefits and moderation features further contribute to the success and credibility of your WordPress site.

So, start implementing these strategies today and unlock the full potential of user interaction and engagement on your WordPress site.

 

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