How to easily modify the WordPress footer copyright text: three practical methods explained

What is WordPress Footer Copyrighted Text?

The WordPress footer copyright text is the text at the bottom of your website. By default, WordPress displays a copyright notice such as "Powered by WordPress".

Why do I need to change the footer copyright text?

Brand identity is important. The footer should contain your brand logo, a customized copyright notice, and a link to your privacy policy. A copyright notice proves that the content of your website is your intellectual property and that no one else can use it without permission.

The following key elements are included:

• The symbol © or the word "Copyright".
• The year the site was first published.
• If you update your website content on a regular basis, use a date range, i.e. from the year of first publication to the latest update.
• The name of the site owner.
• The phrase "all rights reserved". Although this is not mandatory, it can be added to indicate that only you retain the right to use the content of the site.

WordPress Default Footer Copyright

The default footer copyright on WordPress.com sites usually says "Powered by WordPress". If not changed, this text will always be there.

How to Modify WordPress Footer Copyright Text

There are three ways to modify the footer copyright text:

Method 1: Edit the footer.php file

1. In the WordPress dashboard, click "exterior condition">"Theme File Editor".

2. Select "Theme Footer (footer.php)" on the right.

3. Find the code.

<div class="copyright">

4. Below this code enter a new copyright code, for example:echo "© Your Copyright Information";The
5. Save the file.

Note: Not all themes allow editing of the footer.php file. If you can't edit it, try the following.

Method 2: Use plug-ins

1. In the WordPress dashboard, click "plug-in (software component)">"Add New Plugin".
2. Search "Remove Footer Credit", install and activate the plugin.

3. In "artifact">"Remove footer credit", enter the original code or text to be deleted, and enter the new copyright information.

4. Enter the HTML code or text to be deleted in the first text box. Then, enter the new footer notice in the second text box.

5. Save changes.

Method 3: Use Elementor

1. Install and activate the Elementor page builder.
2. In the WordPress admin panel, click "templates">"Theme builder".

3. In the footer section click on "Add New".

4. Select a template and edit the copyright text.

5. Enter the new copyright information in a text editor, style it and publish it.

With Elementor, you can set the year to be dynamically updated, ensuring that the copyright year is always up to date.

How to create dynamic copyright footer text that automatically updates the date.

Step 1.Click next to the copyright noticedynamic (science)tab (of a window) (computing)icon, then select from the listCurrent date and time options.

Step 2.Select "Current date and time" option and then click on it to access more options. First, place thedate formatset tocustomizableand set the format toYto display only the year.

Step 3.Now open it.Advanced Options and add copyright text that appears before and after the year. You can also add copyrighted text by adding a link to theEnter a URL in the section to embed the URL in the footer copyright information.

Step 4.Finally, click"post"to make your new footer and copyright notice available on your website.

Importance of copyrighted text in the footer

1. Intellectual property protection

Updated copyright text tells visitors that the content of your site is copyrighted and may not be used without permission.

2. Enhancing professionalism and credibility

An updated copyright statement gives visitors the impression that your site is professional and credible, especially if it shows the latest year.

3. Legal protection

A copyright notice better protects your content legally. Without a disclaimer, an infringer may be able to argue that they didn't know the content was protected. But with a disclaimer, that defense is untenable.

Summary:

Modifying the copyright text of your WordPress footer is an important step in enhancing the professionalism and legal protection of your website. By editing the footer.php file, using a plugin, or the Elementor page builder, it's easy to customize the copyright notice, display brand logos, and ensure that the copyright year is always up to date. This not only enhances the credibility of your website, but also effectively protects your intellectual property from unauthorized use.