This is How to Import Disqus XML Exported Comments to WordPress WXR
Are you looking to migrate your Disqus comments back to your WordPress site? Maybe you're ditching Disqus altogether or want to consolidate all your comments in one place. Whatever the reason, importing your Disqus comments into your WordPress XML file (WXR) is a straightforward process.
In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to export your Disqus comments and then import them into your WordPress site. By the end, you'll have all your Disqus comments seamlessly integrated into your WordPress database.
Why Import Disqus Comments to WordPress?
There are a few key reasons you might want to import your Disqus comments back into WordPress:
-
Consolidate All Comments in One Place: Having all your comments in one central location (your WordPress database) can make managing and moderating them much easier.
-
Avoid Disqus Downtime: Disqus has experienced outages in the past, which can lead to your comments being unavailable. Importing them to WordPress ensures you have a local backup.
-
Improve Site Performance: Disqus can slow down your site's loading times. By migrating comments to WordPress, you can improve your site's speed and performance.
-
Regain Control of Your Content: Some users are uncomfortable with a third-party service like Disqus hosting their comment data. Bringing comments in-house gives you more control.
-
Prepare for a Disqus Redesign: Disqus occasionally updates its design and functionality. Importing comments to WordPress insulates you from any unwanted Disqus changes.
How to Export Disqus Comments
Before you can import your Disqus comments into WordPress, you'll need to export them from the Disqus platform. Here's how:
-
Log into Your Disqus Account: Head to the Disqus website and sign in to your account.
-
Go to the Export Tool: Click on your profile picture in the top right, then select "Your Profile" from the dropdown menu. On the profile page, click "Export" in the left-hand sidebar.
-
Request an Export: On the Export page, click the "Request Export" button. This will initiate the process of exporting all your Disqus comments.
-
Wait for the Export to Complete: Disqus will email you a download link once your export is ready, which can take several minutes to process. Keep an eye on your inbox for the notification.
-
Download the Exported XML File: When you receive the email, click the download link to save the Disqus XML export file to your local computer.
Now that you have your Disqus comments exported, you can proceed to import them into your WordPress site.
How to Import Disqus Comments into WordPress WXR
To import your Disqus comments into WordPress, you'll need to follow these steps:
-
Prepare Your WordPress Site: Make sure your WordPress site is up-to-date with the latest version of WordPress, as well as any plugins and themes you're using. Backup your WordPress database and files before proceeding.
-
Open the WordPress Importer: In your WordPress dashboard, go to Tools > Import. Scroll down and click on the "WordPress" importer.
-
Upload the Disqus XML File: On the importer page, click "Choose File" and select the Disqus XML export file you downloaded earlier. Then click "Upload file and import."
-
Map the Disqus Author IDs: WordPress will prompt you to map the Disqus author IDs to existing WordPress users. If the commenters on your Disqus site already have WordPress user accounts, you can match them up here. If not, you can assign the comments to a default user, like "admin."
-
Import the Comments: Once you've mapped the author IDs, click "Submit" to begin the import process. Depending on the size of your Disqus export, this may take a few minutes.
After the import is complete, you should see all your Disqus comments available in your WordPress dashboard under the "Comments" section. You can then moderate and manage them just like any other WordPress comments.
Troubleshooting Disqus to WordPress Imports
While the import process is generally straightforward, you may encounter a few issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
-
Disqus Export File Not Recognized: Make sure the Disqus export file is in the correct XML format. You can try opening the file in a text editor to verify its structure.
-
Comments Not Importing Correctly: Double-check that you've correctly mapped the Disqus author IDs to WordPress users. Also, ensure your WordPress site is up-to-date and the importer plugin is working correctly.
-
Missing Comment Metadata: Disqus exports may not include all the same metadata as native WordPress comments. Some information like comment timestamps or avatars may not carry over.
-
Duplicate Comments: If you've previously used the Disqus WordPress plugin to sync comments, you may end up with duplicate comments after the import. Be sure to check for and remove any duplicates.
-
Compatibility Issues: Make sure your WordPress theme and plugins are compatible with the imported Disqus comments. Some customizations may need to be adjusted.
If you encounter any other issues, consult the WordPress support forums or reach out to the Disqus team for further assistance.
Maintaining Disqus Comments in WordPress
Once you've successfully imported your Disqus comments into WordPress, you'll want to ensure they continue to function properly. Here are some tips:
-
Disable the Disqus WordPress Plugin: After importing the comments, you can safely deactivate and delete the Disqus WordPress plugin. This will prevent any conflicts or duplicate comments.
-
Update Disqus Shortcodes: If you had previously embedded Disqus comment threads using shortcodes, you'll need to update those to use the native WordPress comments system instead.
-
Moderate Comments as Usual: Manage your imported Disqus comments just like any other WordPress comments, using the built-in moderation tools.
-
Redirect Old Disqus URLs: To ensure any existing links to your Disqus comment threads still work, set up 301 redirects from the old Disqus URLs to the new WordPress comment pages.
-
Monitor for Issues: Keep an eye on your imported comments for any display or functionality problems. Address them promptly to maintain a seamless user experience.
By following these steps, you can successfully transition your Disqus comments into your WordPress site and ensure they continue to work as expected.
Get a Free AI Website Audit
Automatically identify UX and content issues affecting your conversion rates with Flowpoint's comprehensive AI-driven website audit.
Conclusion
Migrating your Disqus comments to WordPress is a straightforward process that can bring several benefits. It allows you to consolidate all your comments in one place, improve site performance, and regain control over your content.
Just remember to export your Disqus comments, import them into your WordPress WXR file, and then properly manage the imported comments going forward. With a bit of careful setup, you can easily transition your discussion platform from Disqus to the native WordPress comments system.
If you need any help with the import process or have questions about managing your WordPress comments, be sure to check out the Flowpoint.ai resources. Our tools can help you identify and fix any technical issues that may arise during the transition