Table of contents
What is a category page?Why customize them?How to find a category page URLCategory.php in the template hierarchyHow to customizeWhat to include SEO considerationsDisplaying categories on another pageTroubleshootingAdvanced tipsTags vs categoriesSummary table
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WordPress Guide → Pages → Category Page

The WordPress category page: a complete guide

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WordPress does a lot of work behind the scenes to keep your site organized, and category pages are one of the best examples. They’re automatically generated, constantly updated, and play a major role in how your content is grouped and browsed.

But the default look and layout of these pages? It’s not always ideal.

Let’s walk through what category pages are, how they work, and how you can customize them to better match your site’s design, boost your SEO, and help readers find your best content.

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What is a category page in WordPress?

Category pages are archive pages in WordPress that list all posts assigned to a specific category. If your site includes blog posts, articles, or product updates, you’re already using categories—even if you haven’t customized them.

WordPress automatically creates a category page for each category you create. These pages:

  • Display a list of published posts in reverse chronological order.
  • Use your theme’s default archive layout.
  • Are accessible by a public URL like yoursite.com/category/news/.

You can see and manage all your site’s categories under Posts > Categories in your WordPress dashboard.

Why customize category pages?

Out of the box, category pages are functional, but they aren’t doing much for your users or your SEO. Customizing them gives you several advantages:

  • Better navigation. Help visitors find the exact content they’re looking for, faster.
  • Improved SEO. Add unique titles, descriptions, and internal links to make your site easier to crawl and rank better in search engines.
  • Visual consistency. Match your site’s branding or theme style for a more professional look.
  • More conversions. Include CTAs, lead magnets, or special offers tailored to each content category.

How to find your category page URL

WordPress uses a predictable structure for category URLs based on your permalink settings. The default format is:

https://yoursite.com/category/category-name/

To view or change your URL structure:

  1. Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Choose a permalink format under “Common Settings” (most sites use “Post name”).
  3. Scroll down to “Optional” to change the base URL slug for categories (default is category).

You can visit a category page by clicking the category name on any blog post.

The role of category.php in the template hierarchy

WordPress uses a system called the template hierarchy to figure out which file controls the layout of each type of page. For category pages, the order looks like this:

  1. category-slug.php – If it exists, this file controls a specific category (e.g., category-news.php).
  2. category-ID.php – Uses the category’s numeric ID (e.g., category-5.php).
  3. category.php – A generic layout for all category pages.
  4. archive.php – A fallback for all archive pages (tags, authors, etc.).
  5. index.php – The ultimate fallback.

If you want to change how category pages look across the board, start by editing or creating a category.php file in your theme.

Methods to customize category pages

There are several ways to customize category pages, depending on your skill level and tools.

1. Use a custom category.php template

This is the most common method for theme developers.

  1. Connect to your site via FTP or File Manager.
  2. Navigate to /wp-content/themes/your-theme/.
  3. If a category.php file doesn’t exist, copy archive.php or index.php and rename it to category.php.
  4. Open category.php and modify the layout, styling, or loop as needed.

Anything you add here (like banners, headings, or widgets) will appear on every category page.

2. Use category-specific templates (category-slug.php or category-ID.php)

To make one category look different from the rest:

  1. Find the slug or ID of the category (under Posts > Categories).
  2. Create a file in your theme with the format category-your-slug.php or category-12.php.
  3. Add custom layout elements, colors, or content specific to that category.

This is useful for creating landing pages around topics like “Events,” “Tutorials,” or “Deals.”

3. Add conditional logic in category.php

If you don’t want separate files for every category, you can add if statements inside a single category.php file:

<?php
if (is_category(‘news’)) {
  echo ‘<h2>Latest News</h2>’;
} elseif (is_category(‘events’)) {
  echo ‘<h2>Upcoming Events</h2>’;
} else {
  echo ‘<h2>Our Blog</h2>’;
}
?>

This keeps your theme tidy while still showing unique content per category.

4. Use a page builder or theme builder

Many modern themes support category page customization via visual page builders like:

  • Elementor Pro (with Theme Builder)
  • Beaver Builder
  • Divi Builder
  • Brizy

With these tools, you can:

  • Design a layout using drag-and-drop.
  • Insert post loops, category descriptions, or featured images.
  • Assign your template to “All Category Pages” or specific ones.

It’s the best option if you want full control without touching code.

5. Use plugins to extend category design

If you prefer the block editor or want a simpler solution, try these plugins:

Plugins are great for WordPress beginners who want flexibility without editing templates.

What to include on a custom category page

Here are some popular and useful elements to add:

  • Custom page title – Use a heading that fits the topic and adds context.
  • Category description – Add this in the category settings under Posts > Categories.
  • Featured image or banner – Visually brand the page.
  • Grid layout of posts – Use blocks or shortcodes to display in columns or cards.
  • Filters or sub-categories – Help users narrow results.
  • Call to action – Subscribe, Contact, or Buy buttons tailored to that category.
  • Sidebar content – Display relevant posts, downloads, or sponsors.

SEO considerations for category pages

Done right, category pages can rank just like your posts and pages. Here’s how to optimize them:

  • Write unique descriptions. Use the category description field to add value and keywords.
  • Customize title and meta tags. Use an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math to control how titles and snippets appear in search.
  • Use canonical URLs. Prevent duplicate content if posts appear in multiple categories.
  • Avoid thin pages. If a category has very few posts, consider merging or noindexing it.

To hide a category from search engines:

  1. Install Yoast SEO.
  2. Go to SEO > Search Appearance > Taxonomies.
  3. Set “Show Categories in search results?” to “No.”

Displaying a list of categories on another page

Displaying a list of categories helps visitors quickly navigate to content that interests them, improving user experience and time on site. It also boosts SEO by creating internal links to category archive pages, making your site easier to crawl and organize.

You can:

  • Use the Categories block in the block editor.
  • Use the wp_list_categories() function in a template:
    <ul>
      <?php wp_list_categories([‘title_li’ => ”]); ?>
    </ul>
  • Use plugins or widgets to display with icons or post counts.

This is especially useful for sidebar menus or topic directories.

Troubleshooting common category page issues

Things don’t always go according to plan ..

  • Template not applying: Double-check your file names and theme. Clear your cache.
  • Changes not appearing: Make sure you’re editing the right template. Try switching themes to debug.
  • Page loads slowly: Limit the number of posts displayed. Use pagination or lazy loading.
  • Duplicate content warnings: Use canonical tags and ensure each category has a unique purpose.

Advanced tip: create a custom category archive with WP_Query

If you want full control over which posts appear on a category page, you can override the default loop:

$args = [
  ‘category_name’ => ‘news’,
  ‘posts_per_page’ => 5,
  ‘meta_key’ => ‘featured’,
  ‘orderby’ => ‘date’,
];
$query = new WP_Query($args);

if ($query->have_posts()) {
  while ($query->have_posts()) {
    $query->the_post();
    // Custom post markup
  }
  wp_reset_postdata();
}

You can display only featured posts, exclude sticky posts, or even combine multiple categories.

When to use tags vs categories

  • Categories are for broad content topics. Use them to organize your site structure.
  • Tags are more specific and flexible. They describe details or sub-topics of a post.

You can use both—but don’t create too many categories. Aim for 5–10 solid ones, and use tags for extra discoverability.

Summary table: ways to customize WordPress category pages

MethodSkill levelFlexible?Plugin-free?Best for
Custom category.phpIntermediateMediumYesTheme developers and site builders
Category-specific templatesIntermediateHighYesCategory landing pages
Conditional logic in templatesIntermediateHighYesShowing unique CTAs or elements
Page builderBeginnerHighNoVisual design control without coding
PluginsBeginnerMediumNoExtending block editor and custom layouts

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