Customizing the WordPress Excerpt Length for Better SEO

Customizing WordPress Excerpt Length

Custom Code Solution

To modify the excerpt length, you can use WordPress's built-in excerpt_length filter. Place this code in your theme's functions.php file:

This code changes the excerpt length to 25 words:

function custom_excerpt_length($length) {
    return 25; // Change this number to adjust word count
}
add_filter('excerpt_length', 'custom_excerpt_length', 999);

To also customize the excerpt's ending (replace default [...]):

function custom_excerpt_more($more) {
    return '...'; // Change this to your preferred ending
}
add_filter('excerpt_more', 'custom_excerpt_more');

For more control over the excerpt formatting and HTML tags:

function custom_formatted_excerpt($text) {
    $raw_excerpt = $text;
    
    if ('' == $text) {
        $text = get_the_content('');
        $text = strip_shortcodes($text);
        $text = excerpt_remove_blocks($text);
        $text = strip_tags($text);
        
        // Set your word count here
        $excerpt_length = 25;
        $words = explode(' ', $text, $excerpt_length + 1);
        
        if (count($words) > $excerpt_length) {
            array_pop($words);
            $text = implode(' ', $words);
            $text .= '...'; // Custom ending
        }
    }
    return apply_filters('wp_trim_excerpt', $text, $raw_excerpt);
}
remove_filter('get_the_excerpt', 'wp_trim_excerpt');
add_filter('get_the_excerpt', 'custom_formatted_excerpt');

Plugin Solutions

If you prefer a plugin solution, here are reliable options:

1. Advanced Excerpt - Offers control over excerpt length, allowed tags, and custom endings
2. Excerpt Editor - Provides a visual editor for excerpts with length control

SEO Benefits

• Custom excerpt lengths help maintain consistent preview lengths across your site
• Well-formatted excerpts improve click-through rates from search results
• Ideal excerpt length (typically 150-160 characters) helps prevent truncation in search results

Best Practices

1. Keep excerpts between 15-25 words for blog listings
2. Ensure excerpts contain relevant keywords
3. Use clear ending indicators
4. Test different lengths for your specific theme layout
5. Consider mobile viewing experience when setting length

The custom code solution is preferred as it:

• Reduces plugin overhead
• Offers precise control
• Maintains consistent functionality across theme changes
• Can be easily modified for specific needs