Tag for WordPress
If you run a blog on your cheap hosting site (and why wouldn't you?), you should really consider the rel=author tag. What is that and why do you need it?
Here's an explanation.
The REL=AUTHOR Tag for WordPress
When you conduct a Google search, which link are you more apt to click on? The link that shows a bunch of words, or the link that has a nice photo of an author next to it?
You'll pick the author, and so will anyone using your search terms. Why? Because adding a photo to a blog post makes your post look more authentic. In other words, people trust posts with pictures. It might sound silly, but I'm not making this stuff up.
In order to add an author photo to a blog post, you have to set up the right tag via WordPress. How can you do this? By entering REL=AUTHOR.
How to Use the REL=AUTHOR Tag
You have two options here. The first is to implement this tag in the post that you've just created.
- Add your Google+ profile URL to your name.
- Add that anchor text to the blog post.
Here's the code you need to add to your name in order to make your G+ profile photo show up:
<a href=”https://plus.google.com/yourgoogleplusurlherere=author”>YOUR NAME HERE</a>
Do you see the end of this code? The ‘rel=author' bit? This will ensure that your G+ profile is linked to the post that you just wrote. But, this is the tedious way to do things.
A Simpler Way: Plugins
We love WordPress for the many plugins that come with this program. Is there a plugin for the Author tag? You bet! In fact, there are a lot of plugins for this tag. The best one that I've tested is the ‘Google Authorship for Multiple Authors' plugin. This plugin simply adds a nice and neat space for your Google Plus profile.
All you have to do is add the plugin, plug in (haha) your details, and you're ready to roll. Really, the setup couldn't be easier than it is with this plugin. But, if you must find others, there are a ton to choose from. My only word of caution is this: be careful not to install too many plugins because the more you install the slower your page load time is.
One more word of caution (so, two words, really): read plugin reviews prior to picking one. Why? Some of these plugins will mess with your code, or just won't work at all. It always pays to read the reviews first – but, really, a plugin will make your life easier!
Be Careful With Authorship
Lastly, even though allowing authors to add photos to a blog post is a great way to spread the word about your blog, it's also a really good idea to be careful when it comes to allowing any old author to share a post. Why? When someone has authorship privileges, things could go awry.
Need help with this code? Just ask!
