Do You Know That 70% of WordPress Users Want to Customize Their Footer Credit?
A default footer credit often limits brand identity and professionalism. Many users feel frustrated seeing “Powered by WordPress” or a theme developer’s name at the bottom of their site.
Most WordPress themes lock footer credits into their code, making them difficult to edit. You might try to remove them through the customizer, only to find no clear option. Some themes even require premium upgrades just to make a simple change.
Leaving default footer text on your site reduces credibility and distracts from your brand message. Whether you’re running a business or personal blog, your site should reflect your identity—not someone else’s. An unbranded footer might even make your site look less professional to visitors.
You don’t need to be a developer to modify your footer credit. In this article, we will walk you through ways to remove or change footer credit in WordPress. So, without further ado, let’s dig deeper.
What is Footer Credit in WordPress?
Footer credit in WordPress refers to the text or links displayed at the bottom of a website. It usually contains copyright information, theme credits, and links to the developer or WordPress itself.
Website owners often customize or remove footer credits to maintain branding. Many themes allow easy modification through theme settings, while others require editing code or using a plugin to change or remove the default footer credit.
How to Remove or Change Footer Credit in WordPress
Many WordPress themes include footer credits linking to WordPress or the theme developer. If you want to remove or change this, there are multiple methods, including theme settings, custom CSS, or editing theme files.
i. Understanding footer credit in WordPress
Footer credits are typically found at the bottom of a WordPress website, displaying information like “Powered by WordPress” or theme-related credits. Many website owners prefer to modify or remove these credits for branding or professional purposes.
ii. Editing footer credits via theme customizer
Some WordPress themes offer built-in options to modify footer text. Navigate to Appearance > Customize > Footer and look for settings related to copyright or credits. If your theme provides an editable field, you can directly update or remove the text.
iii. Modifying footer credit in theme files
If no built-in option exists, you can manually edit the footer.php file. Go to Appearance > Theme Editor, locate footer.php, and find the relevant footer credit section. Carefully delete or replace the text, then save your changes. Ensure you use a child theme to prevent losing modifications during updates.
iv. Using a footer plugin for easy editing
Plugins like Remove Footer Credit or Footer Putter provide a user-friendly way to customize footer text. Install one from the WordPress Plugin Directory, follow its settings, and update the footer without touching code.
v. Removing footer credit via CSS
If the credit text doesn’t affect website functionality, hiding it with CSS is an option. Add the following CSS under Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS:
CSS samle like this: CopyEdit.site-info { display: none; }
This method is simple but doesn’t remove the credit from the source code, only visually hides it.
vi. Changing footer credit using hooks
For themes built with hooks (e.g., ), locate the appropriate hook in the theme documentation. Then, add a custom function in functions.php via Appearance > Theme Editor. Example:
function remove_footer_credit() {
remove_action('generate_credits', 'generate_construct_footer');
}
add_action('init', 'remove_footer_credit');
Check your theme’s documentation to find the correct hook name before applying this method.
vii. Ensuring compliance and ethical considerations
Some themes require credit retention due to licensing agreements. Always review your theme’s license before removing attributions, as some designers prohibit modification without a premium upgrade.
Conclusion
Customizing your WordPress footer credit allows you to maintain a professional brand identity while enhancing your website’s appearance. Whether you use the theme settings, a child theme, or custom CSS, the right approach depends on your theme’s flexibility.
Making these changes ensures your website reflects your brand without unnecessary distractions. Always keep a backup before modifying code to prevent issues, and check your theme’s license to comply with its terms.
