WordPress Delete Category
Last Updated :
05 Jul, 2024
Managing your WordPress website’s categories efficiently is crucial for maintaining a well-organized site. Sometimes, you may need to delete a category that is no longer relevant. This guide will guide you through the process of removing a category in WordPress, ensuring that you can maintain a clean and user-friendly site.
Why Delete a Category?
Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand why you might want to delete a category:
- Irrelevant Content: The category no longer fits the content you produce.
- Consolidation: Combining categories to streamline your site’s structure.
- Simplification: Reducing the number of categories to improve user navigation.
Steps to Delete a Category in WordPress
Step 1. Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard
To get started, log in to your WordPress dashboard. This is where you can manage all aspects of your site.
WordPress Login Panel
After login into WordPress, you will be able to see a dashboard like this:
WordPress Dashboard
Step 2. Navigate to the Categories Section
On the left-hand sidebar, hover over Posts and click on Categories. This will take you to the Categories management page.
Opening the Category Section
After clicking on Category, you will see a similar Page like this:
Category Section
Step 3. Locate the Category to Delete
You will see a list of all your categories. Find the category you want to delete. You can use the search bar to quickly locate it if you have many categories.
 Step 4. Delete the Category
Hover over the category you wish to delete. You will see a few options appear under the category name. Click on the Delete link.
After clicking on delete, you will see a similar editor as shown in the following screenshot:
A confirmation prompt will appear asking if you’re sure you want to delete the category. Confirm that you do.
That’s it, you have now successfully learned how to Delete Category from WordPress Posts from your WordPress website.
What Happens to Posts in the Deleted Category?
When you delete a category, WordPress will automatically move all posts from the deleted category to the Uncategorized category. You can reassign these posts to other relevant categories if needed.
Best Practices for Managing Categories
- Plan Ahead: Before creating new categories, plan your content strategy to avoid unnecessary categories.
- Regular Maintenance: Periodically review your categories to ensure they are still relevant.
- Use Tags Wisely: Combine categories with tags for more specific content organization.
Conclusion
Deleting a category in WordPress is a simple process that can help you maintain a well-organized site. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure a smooth deletion process while keeping your site’s SEO intact. Regularly review and manage your categories to provide the best user experience and improve your site’s overall performance.