Related Posts by Category or Tags with Thumbnails: WordPress Plugin
I accidentally came across a plugin that was perfect for a project that I was going to be working on. I liked it so much that I decided to try it out on this site.
The plugin is called Related Posts Thumbnails. It uses the featured image and will relate posts based on categories, tags, both or randomly. Typically, a plugin will related based on categories or by tags so it was great to find one that provided the option to use one or the other. Personally, I prefer to use categories because I currently have too many tags and I get better matching results when I use categories.
The Plugin
- In order for the plugin to work properly you must be using Featured Images or Post Thumbnails, which became a feature in WordPress 2.9. When you upload a new image, you would click on the link ‘Use as Featured Image’ rather than ‘Insert Into Post’.
- Install the plugin and activate. It should work immediately and add 3 related posts to the bottom of your article on the single post page. It looks like the following screenshot and you can also view it at the bottom of this page.
As you can see in the screenshot, one of the related posts has a default gray image. That post must not have a featured image associated with it, which makes sense because I haven’t added one for all of my older posts. In the settings for the plugin, however, you can select the option to only use posts that have thumbnails. - Under Settings > Related Posts Thumbs are all of the settings for the plugin and it has a lot of useful options.
As I mentioned earlier in the article, I like how you can select how the posts are related rather it being categories or tags like so many other plugins. There are also settings for the display of the related post thumbnail; the layout, colors, and more.
Hopefully this visual representation of related posts will encourage people to visit more of the content on your site and read more of your posts. What do you think? Would you like to use something like this?
Keep Reading:
Did you enjoy this article? I can assist you with your WordPress or Facebook project. Contact me and I will provide you with an estimate. You can also connect with me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter. If you are looking for Hosting, WordPress Theme, Newsletter or other recommendations, please view my detailed list.
November 3, 2011 at 3:39 am
Hi Kim,
I think it’s the fun with a new article to find the perfect photo for the article, now I have 1000′s pictures that I taken myself on my properties over the years that I can use and a lot of good memories come back when I’m looking.
November 3, 2011 at 2:42 pm
It can be fun but sometimes finding the right photo takes me longer than it does to write the post ;-)
November 3, 2011 at 4:59 am
Thank you for sharing your great find! This will help me as well! Keep up the good work!
edmond0925´s last post ..Long Winter Dog Walks
November 3, 2011 at 8:26 am
I think it is a neat little idea as long as you use a lot of images and your design looks OK with it. I don’t use a lot of images (hardly any actually) so I’ll be sticking with my trusty old text link version.
It looks good on your site by the way. :)
Dean Saliba´s last post ..October 2011 Blog Income Report
November 3, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Hi Dean – You’re right – if you don’t use images than this isn’t a good solution. And thanks for the compliment!
November 4, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Thanks Kim, I was looking for something like it
I’ve just installed it on my blog,I will try it to find out if it’s better than other free competitors
Albert Rox´s last post ..Social Networking CMS – nimbuscms.com
November 9, 2011 at 7:33 am
Hi Albert – So far, I really like it and it was easy to set up.
November 12, 2011 at 5:40 am
I’m using it on my blog and I’m very satisfied..Thank you Kim!
Albert Rox´s last post ..OpusPhp – Social networking CMS
November 15, 2011 at 10:59 am
Great! So far I am really happy with it.
November 7, 2011 at 8:25 am
Hi Kim,
Excellent find and nice review.
Nik
Nik´s last post ..How to find the right career coach
November 8, 2011 at 1:13 am
The Related Posts Thumbnails plugin looks great. Seems like it is easy to use as well. I was wondering whether or not the plugin is free?
November 9, 2011 at 7:35 am
Hi Robert – It’s a free plugin.
November 10, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Nice plugin, will have to try!
I like cool plugins…..especially when they’re free!
Thanks!
November 14, 2011 at 8:55 am
wow this is great.. may be just what im looking for. but the thing is, my theme doesn’t have feautured imeges menu (old theme). how do i enabled it? a directions will be fine.. thanks for the info.. :)
jaket kulit garut´s last post ..Jaket Kulit Garut Bisa Tampil Ala Artis Hollywood
November 15, 2011 at 11:04 am
I have a tutorial here
http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/how-to-add-the-post-thumbnail-feature-to-your-wordpress-installation/
November 16, 2011 at 2:22 am
waw this is Super Cool.. thanks for the tuts.. :D
jaket kulit garut´s last post ..Jaket Kulit Life on Mars