This is the Guide to Fixing "It's Showing Category First and Second Both" in WordPress
If you've been working on your WordPress website, you've likely encountered the frustrating issue of "It's Showing Category First and Second Both." This error can occur when your website is displaying the primary category and the secondary category for a post or page, causing confusion and clutter in your content organization.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive into the root causes of this problem and provide you with practical, actionable steps to fix it. By the end of this article, you'll have a clear understanding of how to address this WordPress issue and optimize your site's content structure.
Understanding the "It's Showing Category First and Second Both" WordPress Error
The "It's Showing Category First and Second Both" error is a common WordPress issue that arises when your website is displaying both the primary and secondary categories for a specific post or page. This can happen for a few reasons:
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Incorrect Theme Configuration: Some WordPress themes may have default settings that display both the primary and secondary categories, even if you only want to show the primary category.
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Plugin Conflicts: Certain plugins, such as those that manage categories or post metadata, may interfere with the way your website displays category information.
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Coding Errors: In some cases, custom code or theme modifications can cause the "It's Showing Category First and Second Both" issue if they are not properly implemented.
Regardless of the underlying cause, this error can negatively impact the user experience on your website by creating visual clutter and making it harder for visitors to quickly understand the content hierarchy.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing the "It's Showing Category First and Second Both" Issue
Now that we've identified the potential causes of the "It's Showing Category First and Second Both" error, let's dive into the step-by-step process to fix it.
1. Check Your Theme's Settings
The first step in resolving this issue is to investigate your WordPress theme's settings. Many themes have options that allow you to control how category information is displayed on your website.
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Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the "Appearance" > "Customize" section.
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Look for any settings related to "Categories," "Post Meta," or "Content Display." These settings may allow you to hide the secondary category or choose to display only the primary category.
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If you find relevant settings, experiment with different configurations and preview the changes on your website. This may be the quickest and easiest way to fix the "It's Showing Category First and Second Both" problem.
2. Deactivate and Test Conflicting Plugins
If adjusting your theme's settings doesn't resolve the issue, the next step is to check for any plugins that may be causing the problem.
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Make a list of all the plugins installed on your WordPress website.
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Deactivate one plugin at a time and check your website to see if the "It's Showing Category First and Second Both" error is still present.
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If deactivating a specific plugin fixes the issue, you've identified the culprit. You can either:
- Reach out to the plugin developer for guidance on how to properly configure the plugin to avoid the conflict.
- Replace the problematic plugin with an alternative that doesn't cause the same issue.
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If deactivating plugins doesn't resolve the problem, move on to the next troubleshooting step.
3. Inspect Your Theme's Code (for advanced users)
If you're comfortable working with code, you can also investigate your WordPress theme's files to identify and fix any custom code that may be causing the "It's Showing Category First and Second Both" error.
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Create a child theme: Before making any changes to your theme's files, it's essential to create a child theme. This will ensure that your modifications don't get overwritten when the parent theme is updated.
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Locate the relevant template file: Depending on your theme, the category display logic may be located in files such as "single.php," "archive.php," or "content.php." Use your theme's documentation or a tool like the Theme Check plugin to identify the appropriate file.
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Examine the code: Look for any instances where the primary and secondary categories are being displayed. This may involve functions like the_category()
, get_the_category()
, or custom code that retrieves and outputs category information.
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Modify the code: Once you've identified the problematic code, you can update it to display only the primary category. For example, you might use the get_the_category_list()
function with the $separator
parameter set to an empty string to remove the secondary category display.
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Test and refine: After making your changes, test the website thoroughly to ensure the "It's Showing Category First and Second Both" error has been resolved. If necessary, continue to refine your code until the issue is fixed.
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4. Use a Custom Function or Plugin (for advanced users)
If the above steps don't work for your specific setup, you can consider using a custom function or a dedicated plugin to address the "It's Showing Category First and Second Both" issue.
- Create a custom function: You can create a custom function in your child theme's functions.php file that removes the secondary category from being displayed. Here's an example:
function hide_secondary_category($output) {
$categories = get_the_category();
if (count($categories) > 1) {
return $categories[0]->name;
}
return $output;
}
add_filter('the_category', 'hide_secondary_category');
- Install a plugin: Alternatively, you can use a plugin specifically designed to address this issue. Some popular options include:
These plugins offer a user-friendly way to manage category display without the need for manual code changes.
By following these steps, you should be able to effectively resolve the "It's Showing Category First and Second Both" issue in your WordPress website. Remember to test your changes thoroughly and monitor your site's performance to ensure the problem has been addressed.
If you're still experiencing difficulties or have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to the Flowpoint.ai team. Our experts can provide further guidance and help you optimize your website's content organization and user experience