Since WordPress version 3.1, there have been new additional WordPress Post Formats – and I want them! Some of the new post formats like “aside” and “quote” look really useful. I can immediately think of uses for them.
For instance, there are times when I just want to post a short update (similar to a short posting on Facebook) – but really, way too for a Search Engine Optimized (SEO) post. And it just seems wrong to just do such a short posting in a standard WordPress post. In those circumstances, an “aside” post format just seems ideal for me. And I have so many of those brief-thought circumstances!
What Are WordPress Post Formats?
The supported new post formats are:
- aside – Typically styled without a title. Similar to a Facebook note update.
- gallery – A gallery of images. Post will likely contain a gallery shortcode and will have image attachments.
- link – A link to another site. Themes may wish to use the first <a href=””> tag in the post content as the external link for that post. An alternative approach could be if the post consists only of a URL, then that will be the URL and the title (post_title) will be the name attached to the anchor for it.
- image – A single image. The first <img /> tag in the post could be considered the image. Alternatively, if the post consists only of a URL, that will be the image URL and the title of the post (post_title) will be the title attribute for the image.
- quote – A quotation. Probably will contain a blockquote holding the quote content. Alternatively, the quote may be just the content, with the source/author being the title.
- status – A short status update, similar to a Twitter status update.
- video – A single video. The first <video /> tag or object/embed in the post content could be considered the video. Alternatively, if the post consists only of a URL, that will be the video URL. May also contain the video as an attachment to the post, if video support is enabled on the blog (like via a plugin).
- audio – An audio file. Could be used for Podcasting.
- chat – A chat transcript.
src: WordPress.org Codex Post Formats
What Do these Post Formats look like IRL?
I never heard of these additional WordPress Post Formats and would not have known about them but for the usual accidental finding on the internet. Some time back, I had been checking out the various Genesis Child Themes.
(Genesis Themes are by StudioPress.)
There were so many great themes to choose from and it all became quite a blur. (See StudioPress Theme Selection Tool) However, thankfully, something stuck in my head about having seen different post formats in one of the theme demos which, at that time, I had thought were pretty cool.
However even though these post formats are now available and supported by WordPress itself, it is not every theme that has them or is able to support them. The following, which a the Mindstream Child Theme from Genesis will give you a good indication what these post formats could look like IRL (in real life). The image below shows the home page in the Mindstream demo.
WordPress Post Format in Mindstream theme
How do I use different WordPress Post Formats?
Once you do have the additional WordPress Post Formats, when you go to add/edit a post, you will see a Format box (to the right side). You just check the post format you want for that particular post, and that’s it.
Next, I will write-up the step-by-step instructions on how you can add WordPress Post Formats for your Genesis (child) theme. The Genesis child themes I am using (Prose, and Eleven40-Pro – on different sites) certainly do not have these desired post formats by default.
Please tell us …
Have you used/seen the WordPress Post Formats? How do you use them? Feel free to share your tips and knowledge in our comments section below.
Reference for those who want more:
- wordpress.org – Codex Post Formats
Your Comments? Tips to share?