How to display post terms in WordPress using the_terms

The the_terms function in WordPress is used to retrieve and display a list of terms associated with a specific post. Terms are elements of a taxonomy, which categorizes content in various ways, such as categories, tags, or custom taxonomies. This function is particularly useful when you need to show which terms are linked to a post, providing a way to organize and navigate content on a WordPress site.

When called, the_terms generates a string of terms that are linked to their respective archive pages. This string is then displayed in the context of the post. The function can be used within the loop to dynamically display terms for each post, making it adaptable for various themes and templates. The output is typically formatted as a list of links, which can be styled using CSS to fit the design of the site.

By leveraging the_terms, developers can enhance the user experience by offering additional navigational elements and context to the content being viewed. This function plays a role in content organization, making it easier for users to find related posts based on shared terms.

Parameters

  • $post_id (int), required. Post ID.
  • $taxonomy (string), required. Taxonomy name.
  • $before (string), optional. Default: ”. String to use before the terms.
  • $sep (string), optional. Default: ‘, ‘. String to use between the terms.
  • $after (string), optional. Default: ”. String to use after the terms.

Return Value

The function returns void on success and false on failure.

Examples

How to Display Categories for a Post

This code snippet demonstrates how to use the the_terms function to display the categories associated with a specific post.

$post_id = get_the_ID(); // Get the current post ID
$taxonomy = 'category'; // Define the taxonomy as 'category'

// Display the categories for the post
the_terms( $post_id, $taxonomy, 'Categories: ', ', ', '.' );

In this example, the the_terms function is used to display the categories of the current post. The categories are prefixed with “Categories: “, separated by commas, and suffixed with a period.

How to Display Tags for a Post

This code snippet demonstrates how to use the the_terms function to display the tags associated with a specific post.

$post_id = get_the_ID(); // Get the current post ID
$taxonomy = 'post_tag'; // Define the taxonomy as 'post_tag'

// Display the tags for the post
the_terms( $post_id, $taxonomy, 'Tags: ', ', ', '.' );

In this example, the the_terms function is used to display the tags of the current post. The tags are prefixed with “Tags: “, separated by commas, and suffixed with a period.

How to Display Custom Taxonomy Terms for a Post

This code snippet demonstrates how to use the the_terms function to display the terms of a custom taxonomy associated with a specific post.

$post_id = get_the_ID(); // Get the current post ID
$taxonomy = 'custom_taxonomy'; // Define the custom taxonomy

// Display the custom taxonomy terms for the post
the_terms( $post_id, $taxonomy, 'Custom Terms: ', ', ', '.' );

In this example, the the_terms function is used to display the terms of a custom taxonomy for the current post. The terms are prefixed with “Custom Terms: “, separated by commas, and suffixed with a period.

Conclusion

The the_terms function in WordPress is designed to retrieve and display the terms associated with a specific post, such as categories, tags, or custom taxonomies. This function is particularly useful for themes and plugins that need to display taxonomy terms in a structured and readable format. By leveraging the_terms, developers can efficiently output lists of terms linked to their respective archive pages, thereby enhancing the navigational and organizational aspects of a WordPress site. The function’s versatility makes it a valuable tool for managing and presenting taxonomy data in various contexts.

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