Table of contents
What are WordPress categories?How to create WordPress categoriesHow to assign posts to a categoryHow to delete WordPress categoriesWordPress category best practicesUsing categories for SEOWordPress category FAQsGetting startedAdditional resources
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WordPress Guide → Post → Categories

WordPress categories: How to create, use, and manage them

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Understanding how to effectively use WordPress categories can significantly enhance your website’s organization and user experience. Categories group related posts, making it easier for visitors to navigate your content. 

Here, we explore essential aspects of WordPress categories, including creation, assignment, and management. Whether you’re new or experienced, mastering categories will streamline your content strategy and boost your site’s SEO. 

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What are WordPress categories?

WordPress categories are a built-in taxonomy used to organize posts into broad topics, making it easier for visitors to navigate related content. They serve as broad groupings for posts, helping site owners and visitors navigate the website more easily. By categorizing posts, you create a structured hierarchy of topics, enhancing user experience and improving SEO.

Using categories effectively can enhance your content strategy. Grouping related content encourages readers to explore more of your site, potentially increasing engagement and reducing bounce rates. 

How to create WordPress categories

Creating categories in WordPress is very simple.

  1. Access your WordPress dashboard by logging in with your credentials.
  2. Locate the ‘Posts’ section in the left-hand menu and click on ‘Categories.’
  3. On the Categories page, utilize the form on the left side to introduce a new category.
  4. Input the category name in the ‘Name’ field, ensuring it is descriptive of the content it will hold.
  5. Provide a ‘Slug’ that serves as the URL-friendly version of the category name; it should be in lowercase and may include hyphens instead of spaces for better readability and SEO.
  6. If desired, choose a ‘Parent Category’ from the dropdown menu to create a hierarchical structure, which can be beneficial for organizing complex content.
  7. Once all required fields are filled out, click ‘Add New Category’ to finalize the creation process.
  8. Your new category will now be listed on the right, where you can manage existing categories or continue adding more as necessary.

How to assign posts to a category

Assigning posts to categories in WordPress can be done from the individual post editor or the All Posts page.

From the individual post

  • Navigate to the Posts section of your dashboard.
  • Click ‘Add New’ or select an existing post to edit.
  • On the right side of the editor, find the ‘Categories’ box.
  • Check the box next to an existing category or create a new one by clicking ‘Add New Category.’ Save or publish your post to ensure the changes take effect.

From the all posts page

  • Go to the Posts section in your dashboard to see a list of all posts.
  • Select the posts you want to categorize using the checkboxes.
  • In the ‘Bulk Actions’ dropdown menu, select ‘Edit’ and click ‘Apply.’
  • A new section will appear, allowing you to choose a category from the ‘Categories’ dropdown. Select the desired category and click ‘Update’ to apply the changes to all selected posts.

How to delete WordPress categories

Too many categories can get messy and actually create the opposite effect—making your site confusing or sprawling for users and search crawlers. Clean up categories you don’t use very much.

First, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard. Once you are logged in, navigate to the ‘Posts’ section and select ‘Categories.’ From there, identify the category that you would like to remove.

Hover over the name of the category and click the ‘Delete’ option. A confirmation prompt will appear; ensure to confirm the deletion. If the category you are deleting contains any posts, those posts will automatically be assigned to the default category unless you choose a different one. 

After completing the deletion process, it is important to review your posts to confirm that the categorization is correct. Regular management of categories not only enhances user experience but also improves SEO performance, keeping your site organized and user-friendly.

WordPress category best practices

Categories can be a little nebulous at first. Here are some time-tested guidelines:

  • Establish a clear hierarchy. Start by organizing content into broad categories, ensuring that the number of primary categories remains manageable, ideally between five to ten. If necessary, consider implementing subcategories for more specific organization.
  • Each post should primarily fit into one main category while also being tagged with additional relevant topics. This approach maintains clarity and aids users in finding the content they seek.
  • Regularly assess and update your categories as your site grows and changes. A well-maintained category structure not only reflects the current state of your website but also enhances usability for visitors. 
  • Create category pages that summarize posts within each category to serve as a valuable resource for readers and contribute positively to SEO performance.

Using categories for SEO

WordPress categories can help with SEO by improving site structure, making it easier for search engines to understand the relationships between your content. 

Well-organized categories create clear pathways for internal linking, which boosts crawlability and helps distribute link equity across related posts. They also enhance the user experience by grouping similar content, which can reduce bounce rates and increase time on site—both positive SEO signals.

Some category tips for SEO:

  • Use broad, relevant topics to group related content logically.
  • Assign one primary category per post to avoid duplicate content issues.
  • Optimize category archive pages with custom titles, meta descriptions, and intro content.
  • Keep your category structure shallow—avoid overly nested or redundant hierarchies.
  • Avoid using too many categories; stick to 5–10 core ones for most sites.
  • Create internal links to category pages to improve crawlability and distribute authority.
  • Exclude thin or empty categories from indexing until they have meaningful content.

WordPress category FAQs

Can you un-delete a WordPress category?

No. Once a WordPress category is deleted, it cannot be directly restored. However, if you have a backup of your database, you can restore the category by importing it back. Regular backups prevent data loss.

What is the difference between categories and tags in WordPress?

Categories and tags both organize content but serve different purposes. Categories are for broad grouping, providing a hierarchical structure. Tags are specific keywords describing details of the post. For example, a recipe post could be categorized under ‘Recipes’ and tagged with ‘Italian,’ ‘Pasta,’ and ‘Vegetarian.’

Can you assign a post to multiple categories in WordPress?

Yes, you can assign a post to multiple categories. This flexibility ensures content is easily discoverable under various relevant categories, improving user experience and navigation.

How many categories can a WordPress post be assigned to?

There is no hard limit, but it is recommended to keep it reasonable. Too many categories can clutter your site and confuse readers. Aim for a balance that enhances navigation without overwhelming your audience.

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