Retrieving post terms in WordPress using wp_get_post_terms

The wp_get_post_terms function in WordPress retrieves the terms for a post. This can be useful for displaying the categories or tags associated with a specific post, allowing for easy navigation and organization of content.

By using wp_get_post_terms, developers can dynamically fetch and display the terms associated with a post, providing users with additional context and related content.

Parameters Accepted by wp_get_post_terms function

  • $post_id (int, optional): The Post ID. Does not default to the ID of the global $post. Default value is 0.
  • $taxonomy (string|string[], optional): The taxonomy slug or array of slugs for which to retrieve terms. Default value is ‘post_tag’.
  • $args (array, optional): Term query parameters. See WP_Term_Query::__construct() for supported arguments.
    • fields (string): Term fields to retrieve. Default value is ‘all’.

Value Returned by wp_get_post_terms function

The function returns an array of WP_Term objects on success or an empty array if no terms were found. If the specified $taxonomy doesn’t exist, it returns a WP_Error object.

Examples

How to get the terms of a post using wp_get_post_terms

Below is a code snippet that demonstrates how to use the wp_get_post_terms function to retrieve the terms associated with a post.

$post_id = 123;
$taxonomy = 'category';

$terms = wp_get_post_terms( $post_id, $taxonomy );

foreach ( $terms as $term ) {
 echo $term->name;
}

This code snippet retrieves the terms (in this case, categories) associated with the post with ID 123 using the wp_get_post_terms function. It then loops through each term and prints its name.

How to get the terms of a custom post type using wp_get_post_terms

Below is a code snippet that demonstrates how to use the wp_get_post_terms function to retrieve the terms associated with a custom post type.

$post_id = 456;
$taxonomy = 'genre';

$terms = wp_get_post_terms( $post_id, $taxonomy );

if ( ! empty( $terms ) ) {
 foreach ( $terms as $term ) {
 echo $term->name;
 }
} else {
 echo 'No terms found for this post.';
}

This code snippet retrieves the terms (in this case, genres) associated with the custom post type with ID 456 using the wp_get_post_terms function. It then checks if there are any terms associated with the post, and if so, loops through each term and prints its name. If no terms are found, it outputs a message indicating so.

How to get the terms of a post with a specific taxonomy using wp_get_post_terms

Below is a code snippet that demonstrates how to use the wp_get_post_terms function to retrieve the terms associated with a post for a specific taxonomy.

$post_id = 789;
$taxonomy = 'post_tag';

$terms = wp_get_post_terms( $post_id, $taxonomy );

if ( ! empty( $terms ) ) {
 foreach ( $terms as $term ) {
 echo $term->name;
 }
} else {
 echo 'No tags found for this post.';
}

This code snippet retrieves the terms (in this case, tags) associated with the post with ID 789 for the specific taxonomy ‘post_tag’ using the wp_get_post_terms function. It then checks if there are any terms associated with the post for the given taxonomy, and if so, loops through each term and prints its name. If no terms are found, it outputs a message indicating so.

Conclusion

The wp_get_post_terms function is a valuable tool for WordPress developers and administrators. It provides a convenient way to retrieve the terms associated with a specific post, allowing for more efficient and organized data management. By using this function, users can easily access and manipulate the taxonomy terms of their posts, enhancing the overall user experience and content organization on their websites.

With its flexibility and ease of use, wp_get_post_terms empowers users to customize and optimize their WordPress sites according to their specific needs and preferences. Whether it’s for displaying related content, creating custom queries, or implementing advanced filtering options, this function proves to be a valuable asset in the WordPress toolbox.

As WordPress continues to evolve and expand its capabilities, the wp_get_post_terms function remains a reliable and essential feature for managing and leveraging taxonomy terms within the platform. Its seamless integration with WordPress’ core functionality makes it a go-to solution for developers and administrators looking to streamline their content management processes.

Related WordPress Functions