How to set and display the title of a WordPress page with wp_title

The WordPress wp_title function is used to retrieve the title of the current page being viewed on a WordPress site. It can be useful for dynamically generating and displaying the title of the page in the browser’s title bar or within the HTML markup of the page.

By using the wp_title function, developers can ensure that the title of the page is consistent with the content being displayed, and it can also help with search engine optimization by providing relevant and descriptive titles for each page.

Parameters accepted by wp_title function

  • $sep (string, optional): How to separate the various items within the page title. Default value is ‘ยป’.
  • $display (bool, optional): Whether to display or retrieve the title. Default value is true.
  • $seplocation (string, optional): Location of the separator (‘left’ or ‘right’). Default value is an empty string.

Value returned by wp_title function

The function returns a string when $display is set to false, and nothing otherwise.

Examples

How to use wp_title to display the title of the current page

<?php
 echo wp_title( '', true, 'right' );
?>

This code snippet uses the wp_title function to display the title of the current page. The function takes three parameters: the first parameter is the title separator, the second parameter is whether to display the title or not, and the third parameter is the position of the title.

How to use wp_title to set a custom title for the current page

<?php
 $custom_title = "Custom Page Title";
 echo wp_title( $custom_title, true, 'right' );
?>

This code snippet demonstrates how to use the wp_title function to set a custom title for the current page. In this example, the variable $custom_title is set to “Custom Page Title” and passed as the first parameter to the wp_title function.

How to use wp_title to conditionally display the title based on the page type

<?php
 if ( is_single() ) {
 echo wp_title( '', true, 'right' );
 } else {
 echo "Blog Archive";
 }
?>

In this code snippet, the wp_title function is used within an if statement to conditionally display the title based on the page type. If the current page is a single post, the title of the post will be displayed. Otherwise, the text “Blog Archive” will be displayed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the wp_title function is a crucial tool for controlling the title of a WordPress website. By properly utilizing this function, developers can ensure that their website’s titles are optimized for search engines and provide a better user experience. Additionally, the flexibility and customization options of the wp_title function allow for a tailored approach to title management, catering to the specific needs of each individual website. Overall, understanding and effectively implementing the wp_title function is essential for maximizing the impact and visibility of a WordPress website.

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