Harnessing the power of related posts is a surefire way to enhance user engagement, boost page views, and elevate your website’s overall performance. By strategically displaying relevant content, you can provide your audience with a seamless and personalized browsing experience, guiding them towards content that aligns with their interests. One of the most straightforward and efficient ways to implement related posts is through Bricks Builder’s user-friendly interface. This intuitive builder empowers you to effortlessly create dynamic and engaging related post queries, ensuring that your website visitors are always presented with relevant and compelling content.
To embark on this process, you’ll first need to create a new query. Once you’ve named your query, you can delve into the query settings. Here, you’ll encounter an array of options that grant you granular control over the content displayed within your related posts. From selecting the post type to determining the maximum number of posts, every aspect of your query can be tailored to suit your specific requirements. Additionally, you can harness the power of filters to further refine your query, ensuring that only the most relevant posts are surfaced. By leveraging taxonomies, tags, categories, or even custom fields, you can create highly targeted related post queries that cater to the diverse needs of your audience.
With Bricks Builder at your disposal, creating related posts queries is not merely a technical task but an opportunity to elevate your website’s user experience. By thoughtfully crafting queries that align with your content strategy, you can transform your website into a content-rich ecosystem where visitors are consistently engaged, informed, and entertained. As you delve deeper into the capabilities of Bricks Builder, you’ll discover a treasure trove of additional features that empower you to customize and enhance your related posts. From styling options that allow you to seamlessly integrate related posts into your website’s design to advanced features such as dynamic content loading, Bricks Builder provides everything you need to create truly exceptional related post experiences.
Understanding Related Posts Queries
Related posts queries are a powerful tool for increasing user engagement and enhancing the overall user experience of your WordPress website. By displaying a list of related posts at the end of each post or page, you can encourage visitors to explore similar content and stay on your site longer. Creating related posts queries in Bricks Builder is a straightforward process that can be achieved in just a few simple steps.
Understanding Related Posts Queries
When creating a related posts query, there are several key factors to consider, including:
- Content Similarity: Related posts should be relevant to the current post. This can be based on factors such as tags, categories, keywords, or even the tone and style of the writing.
- Display Order: Determine the order in which related posts will be displayed. This can be based on factors such as publication date, popularity, or relevance.
- Number of Posts: Limit the number of related posts to display to avoid overwhelming users with too much information.
Crafting a Custom Query for Related Posts
The default related posts query in Bricks Builder returns posts that share a similar category or tag with the current post. However, you can easily customize the query to return posts that are more relevant to your content. To do this, you’ll need to create a custom query in the WordPress Query Builder.
Customizing the Query Parameters
The WordPress Query Builder allows you to specify a wide range of parameters to control the behavior of the query. For example, you can use the following parameters to customize the related posts query:
-
post_type: The type of posts to return. For related posts, this will typically be ‘post’.
-
post_status: The status of the posts to return. For related posts, this will typically be ‘publish’.
-
posts_per_page: The number of posts to return. For related posts, this will typically be a small number, such as 3 or 5.
-
order: The order in which to return the posts. For related posts, this will typically be ‘DESC’ (descending order).
-
orderby: The field to order the posts by. For related posts, this will typically be ‘date’ (the date the post was published).
In addition to these basic parameters, you can also use the Query Builder to specify more complex criteria for the query. For example, you can use the following parameters to exclude certain posts from the query:
-
post__not_in: An array of post IDs to exclude from the query.
-
category__not_in: An array of category IDs to exclude from the query.
-
tag__not_in: An array of tag IDs to exclude from the query.
Utilizing Bricks Builder’s Query Syntax
Bricks Builder employs a powerful query syntax that allows you to customize and refine your WordPress queries. The syntax follows a clear and concise structure, making it accessible to users of all levels.
Essential Query Syntax Elements
The Bricks Builder query syntax comprises several key elements, including:
- Post Type: Specifies the type of posts to retrieve (e.g., ‘post’, ‘page’).
- Taxonomies: Filters posts by specific taxonomies (e.g., categories, tags).
- Meta Queries: Filters posts based on custom field values.
- Order By: Sorts posts by a specified field (e.g., ‘post_date’, ‘title’).
- Order: Ascending (‘ASC’) or descending (‘DESC’) order.
Meta Query Syntax
Meta queries provide a powerful means of filtering posts based on custom field values. The syntax for meta queries is as follows:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| key | The custom field key to query. |
| value | The value to compare the custom field to. |
| compare | The comparison operator (e.g., ‘=’, ‘>’, ‘<‘, ‘LIKE’). |
For example, the following meta query would retrieve all posts with a custom field key of ‘featured_image’ and a value of ‘true’:
meta_query:
- key: featured_image
value: true
compare: =
By leveraging Bricks Builder’s flexible query syntax, you can create highly customized and targeted queries to display relevant content on your WordPress site.
Filtering by Taxonomy and Term
To create a related posts query filtered by taxonomy and term, follow these steps:
- Create a new query loop.
- In the “Query” tab, select the “Taxonomy” filter type.
- In the “Taxonomy” field, select the taxonomy you want to filter by.
- In the “Term” field, select the term you want to filter by.
Additional Options
The following additional options are available when filtering by taxonomy and term:
- Operator: Specifies the logical operator to use when comparing the term to the post’s taxonomy terms. The available operators are “AND” and “OR”.
- Include Children: Specifies whether to include child terms in the comparison.
- Hierarchical: Specifies whether to use a hierarchical comparison. When enabled, the comparison will include all child terms of the selected term.
Example
The following query will retrieve all posts that are tagged with the “News” term in the “Categories” taxonomy:
| Query |
|---|
query {
posts(where: {
taxonomy: {
taxonomy: "categories",
term: "news",
operator: AND,
includeChildren: true,
hierarchical: false
}
}) {
title
}
}
|
Conditional Queries for Specific Content Types
In addition to the basic related posts query, Bricks Builder allows you to create conditional queries to target specific types of content. This is useful if you only want to display related posts that are of a certain content type, such as blog posts, products, or events.
Using Conditional Query Parameters
To create a conditional query, you need to use the following query parameters:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
type |
The type of content to query for. Valid values include "post", "page", "product", and "event". |
operator |
The operator to use for the query. Valid values include "=" and "!=". |
value |
The value to compare the type parameter to. |
Example: Querying for Related Posts of the Same Content Type
To query for related posts of the same content type, you would use the following query parameters:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
type |
"post" |
operator |
"=" |
value |
"post" |
This query would return all posts that are related to the current post and that are also of the "post" content type.
Limiting Query Results to Display
Fixed Number of Posts
To display a specific number of related posts, use the following code:
$related_query = new WP_Query( array( 'post_type' => 'post', 'posts_per_page' => 5 ) );
This will retrieve 5 related posts.
Posts from a Specific Category
To display related posts from a specific category, use the following code:
$related_query = new WP_Query( array( 'post_type' => 'post', 'posts_per_page' => 5, 'category_name' => 'my-category' ) );
This will retrieve 5 related posts from the ‘my-category’ category.
Posts from a Specific Tag
To display related posts from a specific tag, use the following code:
$related_query = new WP_Query( array( 'post_type' => 'post', 'posts_per_page' => 5, 'tag' => 'my-tag' ) );
This will retrieve 5 related posts with the ‘my-tag’ tag.
Posts Related to a specific Post
To display related posts to a specific post, use the following code:
$post_id = get_the_ID();
To retrieve related posts:
$related_query = new WP_Query( array( 'post_type' => 'post', 'posts_per_page' => 5, 'post__not_in' => array( $post_id ) ) );
This will retrieve 5 related posts that are not the current post.
Related Posts Query in Bricks Builder
Bricks Builder allows you to display related posts on your website. To achieve this, you can create a query that fetches posts related to the current post.
Ordering Related Posts by Relevance or Date
You can order the related posts by relevance or date using the “Order By” parameter in the query settings:
Order by Relevance
To order the related posts by relevance, select “Relevance” from the “Order By” drop-down menu. This option will sort the posts based on their similarity to the current post.
Order by Date
To order the related posts by date, select “Date” from the “Order By” drop-down menu. This option will sort the posts by their publication date, with the most recent posts appearing first.
Advanced Ordering
You can also order the related posts by a custom field or taxonomy term using the “Custom Field” or “Taxonomy Term” options from the “Order By” drop-down menu. This allows you to create more specific and targeted related posts queries.
To order by a custom field, select “Custom Field” from the “Order By” drop-down menu and enter the name of the custom field in the “Custom Field Name” field.
To order by a taxonomy term, select “Taxonomy Term” from the “Order By” drop-down menu, select the taxonomy from the “Taxonomy” drop-down menu, and select the term from the “Term” drop-down menu.
| Order By Parameter | Description |
|—|—|
| Relevance | Orders the related posts by their relevance to the current post. |
| Date | Orders the related posts by their publication date, with the most recent posts appearing first. |
| Custom Field | Orders the related posts by a custom field value. |
| Taxonomy Term | Orders the related posts by a taxonomy term. |
Enhancing Query Performance with Caching
To further optimize query performance, Bricks Builder provides a robust caching mechanism that can significantly reduce the load on your database and improve the responsiveness of your website. By caching the results of related posts queries, Bricks Builder can avoid executing the same query multiple times, resulting in faster page load times and a smoother user experience.
How Caching Works
Caching in Bricks Builder is implemented using a combination of PHP transient caching and Redis object caching. Transient caching stores data in memory for a predefined period, typically 24 hours. This allows for quick retrieval of cached data without the need for database access. Redis object caching, on the other hand, is a more versatile and persistent caching mechanism that can store data indefinitely. It is recommended for caching large datasets or data that needs to persist beyond the lifetime of a PHP transient.
Benefits of Caching
Caching provides multiple benefits, including:
- Reduced Database Load: Caching significantly reduces the number of database queries required, freeing up resources for other tasks.
- Improved Page Load Times: By eliminating the need for repeated database queries, page load times can be dramatically improved.
- Enhanced User Experience: Faster page load times lead to a smoother and more responsive user experience.
Configuring Caching
Caching can be configured in Bricks Builder through the settings panel. You can enable or disable caching, set the cache duration, and choose the caching mechanism (PHP transient or Redis). It is recommended to experiment with different settings to find the optimal configuration for your website.
Caching and Query Parameters
It is important to note that caching will only be effective if the related posts query does not use any dynamic parameters. If the query includes parameters such as the current post ID or query arguments, it will not be cached, and the database will be queried every time.
Customizing Cache Keys
For advanced users, Bricks Builder allows for customizing cache keys. This can be useful if you want to cache multiple related posts queries with different parameters. By providing a unique cache key for each query, you can ensure that the correct cached data is retrieved.
Cache Invalidation
Bricks Builder automatically invalidates cached data when related posts are added, updated, or deleted. This ensures that the cached data is always up-to-date and reflects the latest changes in your database.
Caching Statistics
Bricks Builder provides detailed statistics about cache performance, including the number of cache hits and misses. This information can help you evaluate the effectiveness of your caching strategy and make adjustments as needed.
Troubleshooting Common Query Issues
If you are experiencing issues with your Related Posts query, here are some common issues and their solutions:
1. No related posts are displayed
Ensure that the query is configured correctly and that the content you expect to be related is tagged with the appropriate taxonomy.
2. Too many or too few related posts are displayed
Adjust the number of posts to display in the query settings.
3. Incorrect related posts are displayed
Check the taxonomy tags assigned to the content and ensure that they accurately reflect the relationship between the posts.
4. Related posts are not displayed in the desired order
Configure the query to sort the related posts by the desired criteria, such as date, title, or relevance.
5. No thumbnail is displayed for the related posts
Ensure that the content has a featured image and that the query is configured to display thumbnails.
6. Thumbnails are not displayed at the desired size
Adjust the thumbnail size in the query settings.
7. Related posts are not displayed in a specific location
Check the widget settings to ensure that the query is assigned to the desired location.
8. No “No related posts found” message is displayed when no related posts exist
Add a conditional statement to the query to display a message when no related posts are found.
9. Dealing with Hierarchical Taxonomies
When working with hierarchical taxonomies (e.g., categories with subcategories), ensure that the query is configured to include posts from all levels of the taxonomy. Utilize the “Include Child Terms” option or set the “Depth” parameter to the desired level.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| taxonomy | The taxonomy to use for the query |
| include_child_terms | Whether to include posts from child terms of the selected taxonomy |
| depth | The maximum depth of the taxonomy to include |
Best Practices for Optimizing Related Posts Display
1. Relevance: Prioritize Highly Relevant Articles
Display related posts that are genuinely relevant to the current content. Use meta tags and categorization to ensure accuracy. Avoid generic or unrelated recommendations.
2. Variety: Offer a Mix of Formats and Categories
Include a variety of article formats to increase user engagement, such as posts with images, videos, or in-depth guides. Balancing categories also ensures a diverse selection.
3. Timeliness: Show Recent and Trending Content
Display recently published or trending articles to provide up-to-date information. Avoid stale or outdated content that may be less appealing.
4. Personalization: Tailor Recommendations Based on User History
Use cookies or browser history to track user interests and personalize the related posts section. Display content that aligns with their previous reading behavior.
5. Visual Appeal: Use Eye-Catching Thumbnails and Excerpts
Incorporate eye-catching thumbnails and compelling excerpts to attract user attention. This enhances the visual appeal and provides a glimpse into the related content.
6. Location: Place Related Posts Strategically
Position the related posts section where it is easily noticeable but not intrusive. Consider placing it at the end of the article, in a sidebar, or within the page’s content.
7. Limit the Number of Posts: Avoid Overwhelming the User
Display a limited number of related posts to prevent overwhelming users with choices. Aim for a sweet spot that provides enough options without becoming overwhelming.
8. Use a "More Related Posts" Feature
Include a "More Related Posts" link or button to provide additional recommendations if desired. This gives users the option to explore more content that aligns with their interests.
9. Design for Mobile: Optimize for Smaller Screens
Ensure the related posts section is responsive and optimized for mobile devices, where most users consume content nowadays. Adjust the layout and design accordingly.
10. A/B Testing: Experiment with Different Variants
Conduct A/B testing to compare different variations of the related posts section. Experiment with different layouts, content selection methods, and display options to determine what performs best.
| Feature | Impact |
|---|---|
| Relevance | Drives engagement by providing genuinely related content |
| Variety | Increases user interest by offering different article formats and categories |
| Timeliness | Provides up-to-date and trending content that aligns with current interests |
| Personalization | Enhances user experience by displaying content tailored to their preferences |
| Visual Appeal | Attracts attention and provides a glimpse into related content |
How to Create Related Posts Query in Bricks Builder
To create a related posts query in Bricks Builder, follow these steps:
- In the Bricks Builder editor, click on the “Queries” tab in the left-hand sidebar.
- Click on the “Add New” button.
- In the “Query Type” field, select “Related Posts”.
- In the “Post Type” field, select the post type that you want to query.
- In the “Taxonomy” field, select the taxonomy that you want to use to relate the posts.
- In the “Term” field, select the term that you want to use to relate the posts.
- Click on the “Save” button.
Once you have created the query, you can use it to display related posts in your Bricks Builder templates.
People Also Ask About How to Create Related Posts Query in Bricks Builder
What is a related posts query?
A related posts query is a query that retrieves posts that are related to a given post. This can be done based on a variety of criteria, such as the post’s tags, categories, or author.
Why would I want to use a related posts query?
There are many reasons why you might want to use a related posts query. For example, you could use it to:
- Display related posts at the bottom of your blog posts.
- Create a sidebar widget that displays related posts.
- Create a custom page that displays related posts for a specific topic.
How do I use a related posts query in Bricks Builder?
To use a related posts query in Bricks Builder, follow the steps outlined in the “How to Create Related Posts Query in Bricks Builder” section above.
