An uncategorized category in WordPress? It’s true, in a default installation, uncategorized is provided to the unknowing blogger or site owner because WordPress has to have at least one to complete an install. Traditionally, when WordPress was thought of solely as a blogging platform, the uncategorized category was included to give users an example of how a blog post is created and organized. And, as an example, it serves its purpose well. Keyword here is “example”. When configuring a WordPress-based blog or website for a client, this is always high on our list of to-dos. We always rename uncategorized to something more appropriate to the content the client has or will create.
Why Change Uncategorized?
By categorizing what you write, you tell the reader that you’ve put a certain amount of effort into making the navigation of your online presence as smooth as possible. Conversely, when you utilize the “uncategorized” category, you’re sending readers an entirely different message by making them wade through posts that may or may not be of any interest. Why not make it easy for your site’s visitors to navigate through site content and blog posts?
Key Factors
- Categories are not for you, they are for your reader.
- Categories help identify what your blog/website is about.
- Categories represent your body of work on the subject.
- Categories help your readers know if they are in the right place.
- Categories must encompass collected groups of information.
- Categories must be specific enough to help visitors understand the content within, while not being too general or vague.
How to Rename it
Thankfully, renaming the uncategorized category is simple and straightforward so let’s dive in. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and follow the steps below.
- Log in to your WordPress administrative dashboard.
- Navigate this path: Posts > Categories.
- Hover over the Uncategorized link and click the “Quick Edit” link that appears below it.
- Create an appropriate category to your content & click the “Update Category” button.
Graphically Speaking
Step 2 – Go to Posts > Categories
Step 3 – Hover over the Uncategorized link and click the “Quick Edit” link that appears below it
Step 3 – Create an appropriate category to your content & click the “Update Category” button
The part of the scoring system of your blog should be a check if you still have the ‘Uncategorised’ category. If you do – you get a negative point. If you have posts in that category – your get a negative point for each post!