Would you like to accurately display the number of comments on your WordPress site, including those pending moderation, spam, trackbacks, and pings?
WordPress comment counts can be tricky due to various types of comments and spam. This article explains how to easily show the most precise comment count on your website.
Why Display an Accurate Comment Count in WordPress?
Comments are vital for engagement and community building on your site. A higher comment count can attract more interaction from visitors, showcasing social proof and encouraging others to join discussions.
However, displaying an accurate comment count in WordPress can be challenging, especially when dealing with spam comments and trackbacks.
Methods to Display Accurate Comment Counts
There are two methods discussed in this article:
Method 1: Using Simple Blog Stats
- The Simple Blog Stats plugin offers a straightforward way to display approved comments and those in moderation. It excludes pings and trackbacks, which may not be necessary for sites that disable them to prevent spam.
To implement this method, install and activate the Simple Blog Stats plugin. Then, use its shortcode [sbs_approved] to display the total count of approved comments or [sbs_comments] to include those in moderation.
Method 2: Using a Custom Shortcode
- For a more comprehensive count including trackbacks, pings, and unapproved comments, you can create a custom shortcode using WPCode plugin. This method involves adding PHP code snippets without editing theme files directly, ensuring safety and simplicity.
To use this method, install and activate WPCode, then create a custom PHP snippet with the provided code. This snippet creates a shortcode [actual_comment_count] that accurately counts all comments on your site, including various types.
Boost Comment Engagement with Thrive Comments
- Thrive Comments is recommended for enhancing comment engagement on your WordPress site. It allows users to interact with comments by liking or disliking them, and includes features like upvoting/downvoting and post-comment actions to redirect users or encourage further engagement.
By implementing these methods and tools, you can effectively manage and display accurate comment counts on your WordPress site, fostering a vibrant community and enhancing user interaction.
