If you’re a WordPress user looking to increase user engagement and keep your visitors on your site for longer, using a related post plugin is a great way to achieve this.
Showing similar content at the end of each blog post, can encourage readers to stay on your site and read more of your content.
In this post, I’ll show you the top five related post plugins for WordPress, highlighting their unique features and benefits to help you choose the best option for your website.
Let’s get started:
Why Show Related Posts on Your WordPress Website?
Showing related posts on your WordPress website is a great way to keep readers engaged and on your site for longer.
Related post plugins allow you to display similar content to what the reader is already interested in, increasing the chances they will click through and read more.
This can also help to lower bounce rates and improve overall site traffic.
Additionally, related posts can help to increase the visibility of older content on your site that may have otherwise been forgotten.
Best Related Post Plugins For WordPress
Here are my top recommendations for best related post plugins for WordPress in 2023.
YARPP (Yet Another Related Posts Plugin)
YARPP (Yet Another Related Posts Plugin) is a popular and highly customizable WordPress plugin that helps users display related posts on their websites.
It uses an advanced algorithm to find related content and can be easily integrated into most WordPress themes.
YARPP also allows users to exclude certain categories or posts from being displayed as related, and provides options for customizing the appearance of related posts.
With over one million active installations and positive user reviews, YARPP is a reliable choice for those looking to improve engagement on their WordPress websites.
Key Features
- Uses an advanced algorithm to display related content
- Offers customizable templates for related posts
- Allows you to manually select related posts
- Supports custom post types and taxonomies
- Provides performance options for high-traffic sites
- Integrates with Google Analytics for tracking related posts performance
Pros
- Free to use
- Easy to set up and configure
- Highly customizable
- Works well with a variety of themes and plugins
- Can improve user engagement and time on site
Cons
- Can be resource-intensive for larger sites
- Some users may find the algorithm too basic
- May not always display accurate or relevant related content
- Support can be limited as it’s a free plugin
Jetpack Related Posts
Jetpack Related Posts is a popular WordPress plugin that offers a customizable and automated approach to displaying related posts.
Its integration with the Jetpack plugin allows users to showcase related posts based on categories and tags, post types, and more.
The plugin’s attractive design and ease of use make it a favorite among bloggers and website owners.
It also offers advanced customization options, including the ability to exclude certain posts or display related posts from specific categories.
Overall, Jetpack Related Posts is a powerful and user-friendly tool for enhancing user engagement on your WordPress site.
Key Features
- Uses artificial intelligence to analyze content and recommend related posts
- Customizable layout and design options
- Ability to exclude certain posts or pages from showing related content
- Mobile-friendly and responsive design
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- Uses advanced technology for more accurate and relevant recommendations
- Integrates with other Jetpack features for a seamless user experience
- Supports multiple languages
Cons
- Requires a WordPress.com account to access some features
- Limited customization options for free users
- May slow down website performance due to the use of AI technology
- Limited control over the algorithm used to suggest related posts.
Related Posts for WP
Related Posts for WP is a lightweight and user-friendly plugin that enhances user engagement on your website by displaying related posts at the end of each article.
It offers customizable designs, advanced filtering options, and supports thumbnail images.
The plugin also includes a shortcode and widget for displaying related posts on specific pages or posts.
The free version of the plugin has limited features and supports only text-based related posts.
The premium version offers additional features, including thumbnail images and category-based filtering options.
Key Features
- Offers both automatic and manual related post creation
- Provides a variety of display options, including thumbnails, post titles, and excerpts
- Allows customization of related post display with CSS
- Supports shortcodes for easy insertion of related posts into posts and pages
- Offers support for custom post types and taxonomies
Pros
- Flexible display options that can be customized to fit the site’s design
- Supports custom post types and taxonomies for increased compatibility
- Offers both automatic and manual related post creation, giving users more control over what is displayed
- Supports shortcodes for easy insertion of related posts into posts and pages
Cons
- May require some technical knowledge to set up and customize
- Free version is limited in features and requires an upgrade to the paid version for more advanced functionality
- Limited support options, with most support coming from the WordPress plugin forum.
Contextual Related Posts
Contextual Related Posts is a powerful WordPress plugin that displays a list of related posts on your website based on the content of your articles.
It allows you to display the related posts based on different criteria such as tags, categories, and custom post types.
This plugin also offers many customization options, including the ability to change the post layout, the number of posts displayed, and more.
It’s easy to install and use and can significantly improve user engagement on your website.
Key Features
Supports custom post types and taxonomies- Allows filtering related posts by tags or categories
- Provides a widget and shortcode for displaying related posts
- Includes options for customizing the output of related posts
- Supports thumbnail images for related posts
Pros
- Offers a high degree of flexibility and customization options
- Has good performance and doesn’t slow down the site
- Provides accurate and relevant related post recommendations
- Compatible with popular SEO plugins like Yoast SEO and All in One SEO Pack
Cons
- May not be suitable for beginners due to the complexity of the settings and options
- The free version has limited features compared to the premium version
- May require some configuration and setup time for optimal performance.
Related Posts Thumbnails Related Posts Thumbnails
Related Posts Thumbnails is a popular WordPress plugin that displays related posts with thumbnail images.
The plugin uses a customizable algorithm to display the most relevant posts to the user.
Its thumbnail feature allows users to quickly see what the related post is about before clicking through to read more.
Related Posts Thumbnails is user-friendly and easy to customize with options to adjust the image size and number of related posts displayed.
It’s a great option for bloggers who want to engage their audience with eye-catching images and relevant content.
Key Features
- Provides related posts with thumbnails.
- Customizable thumbnail size and alignment.
- Compatible with most themes.
- Allows users to manually select related posts.
Pros
- Provides a visual representation of related posts.
- Customizable to fit the style of your website.
- Allows users to manually select related posts, giving more control over the plugin’s suggestions.
Cons
- Limited customization options compared to other plugins.
- No automatic related post suggestions.
- Only works with thumbnail images, not text-based links.
Conclusion
Related post plugins are a great addition to any WordPress website. They can increase user engagement, reduce bounce rates, and even help with SEO.
After reviewing the top five related post plugins, each with their own set of features, pros, and cons, it’s up to you to decide which one best fits their needs.
Regardless of which plugin is chosen, it’s important to remember that related posts should be relevant and helpful to the reader.
By using a related post plugin, you can create a better user experience and keep readers on you site for longer.
