One of the most common issues I see on new WordPress sites is this: a visitor reads a post, reaches the end, and leaves. Not because the content is bad, but because there’s nowhere obvious to go next.
In most sites I build, this is one of the first things I fix after publishing a few articles. You can have strong content, good SEO, and a clean layout, but if you don’t guide readers to the next step, you lose engagement quickly.
Related posts solve that problem. They keep people moving through your site instead of bouncing after a single page, and they work especially well when combined with a solid internal linking strategy.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer / Summary
To add related posts in WordPress, you can use a plugin (like related posts or SEO plugins), a theme feature, or manual internal linking. The most common method is installing a plugin that automatically displays related articles based on categories, tags, or content similarity.
Why This Matters
Related posts do more than just fill space at the bottom of an article.
They help:
- Increase time on site
- Reduce bounce rate
- Improve internal linking for SEO
- Guide visitors toward your most useful content
From an SEO perspective, this is especially useful. Search engines follow internal links to understand your site structure, as explained in Google’s documentation on how search works. Related posts create natural connections between articles without requiring manual linking every time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Option 1: Use a Plugin (Recommended for Most Sites)
This is the easiest and most flexible approach.
Step 1: Install a Related Posts Plugin
Go to:
- WordPress Dashboard → Plugins → Add New
Search for: - “Related Posts”
- “Contextual Related Posts”
- or use features inside SEO plugins like Rank Math or Yoast
Install and activate the plugin.
Step 2: Configure Display Settings
Most plugins let you choose:
- Where related posts appear (below content, sidebar, etc.)
- Number of posts to show (usually 3–6 works well)
- Whether to use thumbnails
I usually recommend placing them below the content, right after the article ends. That’s where users are deciding what to do next.
Step 3: Choose How Posts Are Matched
You’ll typically see options like:
- Categories
- Tags
- Keywords/content analysis
For most sites, categories + tags is enough. If your tagging is messy, stick with categories for better consistency.
Step 4: Style the Section
Make sure:
- Titles are clear and readable
- Images are consistent
- The section doesn’t look like ads
Label it something simple like:
- “Related Posts”
- “You Might Also Like”
Avoid overcomplicating this.
Option 2: Use Built-In Theme Features
Some WordPress themes include related posts automatically.
Check:
- Appearance → Customize
- Theme settings → Blog or Single Post settings
If your theme supports it, you can enable it without plugins. The downside is less control over how posts are selected.
Option 3: Manual Related Posts (More Control)
You can also add related posts manually inside your content.
For example:
- Add a small section at the end of your article
- Link to 2–3 highly relevant posts
In my experience, this works best for cornerstone content where you want full control over what readers see next.
Practical Tips or Observations
- In most sites I build, 3 related posts is the sweet spot. Too many options can overwhelm users.
- Thumbnails help, but only if your featured images are consistent. If not, text-only links can look cleaner.
- Keep titles short. Long titles get cut off and reduce clicks.
- Place related posts before comments, not after. Otherwise, many users won’t see them.
Another thing I’ve noticed: sites with strong internal linking plus related posts tend to perform better in search over time. It’s not just about SEO—it’s about making content easier to explore.
Common Mistakes
1. Showing unrelated content
If posts are matched poorly, users won’t click them. This usually happens when tags or categories aren’t organized.
2. Adding too many posts
Displaying 8–10 related posts often reduces clicks. It looks cluttered and unfocused.
3. Ignoring design
If the section looks like an afterthought, people skip it. Spacing, font size, and layout matter.
4. Placing it too low on the page
If related posts appear after comments or too far down, many visitors never reach them.
5. Relying only on automation
Automatic related posts are helpful, but they’re not always perfect. Important pages should still have manual internal links.
When to Use This vs Alternatives
Related posts are useful, but they’re not the only way to guide users.
Use related posts when:
- You want automatic internal linking across many articles
- Your content is blog-focused
- You publish regularly
Use manual internal links when:
- You want to control the user journey
- You’re linking to high-priority pages (services, cornerstone content)
Use navigation menus or content hubs when:
- You want structured browsing instead of suggestions
In most cases, I use a combination:
- Manual links inside content
- Related posts at the end
Conclusion
Related posts are one of the simplest ways to improve how people move through your site. They don’t require complex setup, but they make a noticeable difference in engagement and internal linking.
If your site currently has articles with no clear next step, this is an easy win. Set it up once, adjust the settings, and it will continue working in the background as you publish new content.
Etienne Basson works with website systems, SEO-driven site architecture, and technical implementation. He writes practical guides on building, structuring, and optimizing websites for long-term growth.