Creating short links in WordPress with the_shortlink function
The the_shortlink function in WordPress is used to retrieve and display the short URL of a post or page. This can be useful for sharing the post on social media platforms or in situations where a shorter URL is preferred over the full permalink.
By using the the_shortlink function, WordPress users can easily access and display the short URL without having to manually generate it or rely on third-party URL shortening services.
Parameters Accepted by the WordPress the_shortlink Function
The the_shortlink function accepts the following parameters:
- $text (string), optional. Default value: ” Description: Optional. The link text or HTML to be displayed. Defaults to ‘This is the short link.’
- $title (string), optional. Default value: ” Description: Optional. The tooltip for the link. Must be sanitized. Defaults to the sanitized post title.
- $before (string), optional. Default value: ” Description: Optional. HTML to display before the link.
- $after (string), optional. Default value: ” Description: Optional. HTML to display after the link.
Value Returned by the WordPress the_shortlink Function
The the_shortlink function does not return a value.
Examples
How to use the_shortlink function to display the shortlink for a post
$post_shortlink = the_shortlink();
echo "The shortlink for this post is: " . $post_shortlink;
This code snippet retrieves the shortlink for the current post using the the_shortlink function and then displays it on the page.
How to use the_shortlink function within a custom loop to display shortlinks for multiple posts
$args = array(
'post_type' => 'post',
'posts_per_page' => 5
);
$custom_loop = new WP_Query( $args );
if ( $custom_loop->have_posts() ) {
while ( $custom_loop->have_posts() ) {
$custom_loop->the_post();
$post_shortlink = the_shortlink();
echo "The shortlink for " . get_the_title() . " is: " . $post_shortlink . "<br>";
}
}
wp_reset_postdata();
This code snippet creates a custom loop to retrieve and display the shortlinks for the 5 most recent posts on the site using the the_shortlink function.
How to use the_shortlink function to conditionally display the shortlink for a post
if ( is_single() ) {
$post_shortlink = the_shortlink();
echo "The shortlink for this post is: " . $post_shortlink;
}
This code snippet checks if the current page is a single post using the is_single function, and if so, it retrieves and displays the shortlink for that post using the the_shortlink function.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the the_shortlink function is a valuable tool for generating shortened and more user-friendly URLs for your website. By using this function, you can simplify and customize your links, making them easier to share and remember. Additionally, the function offers flexibility in creating different types of shortlinks based on specific parameters. Overall, integrating the the_shortlink function into your website can enhance the user experience and improve the overall navigation and accessibility of your content.