How to Add an “Also Read” Section in WordPress GeneratePress Theme

If you want to improve engagement and reduce bounce rates on your WordPress website, adding an “Also Read” section is a great strategy.

This feature encourages visitors to explore more of your content, keeping them on your site longer. If you’re using the GeneratePress theme, there are several ways to add this option.

In this article, we’ll walk you through three different methods—using a plugin, adding custom code, and utilizing GeneratePress Premium Elements.

Read More: How to Create a Top Notification Bar in GeneratePress Theme

Method 1: Using a Plugin (Easy & Recommended)

If you prefer a simple solution without coding, using a plugin like Inline Related Posts is your best option.

Steps to Install and Configure the Plugin:

1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for Inline Related Posts and install it.
4. Activate the plugin.
5. Navigate to Settings > Inline Related Posts to customize the appearance and insert related posts automatically.
6. Save the settings and check your posts to see the “Also Read” section in action.

This method is ideal for beginners who want a quick and effective solution.

Method 2: Manually Adding the “Also Read” Section with Code

If you prefer a more customized approach, you can add an “Also Read” section inside your blog posts manually using PHP code.

Steps to Implement This Method:

1. Go to Appearance > Theme File Editor.
2. Locate and open the functions.php file (Make sure you’re using a child theme to avoid issues during updates).
3. Add the following code snippet at the bottom of the file:

function insert_also_read($content) {
    if (is_single()) {
        $also_read = '<p><strong>Also Read:</strong> <a href="YOUR-RELATED-POST-URL">Your Related Post Title</a></p>';
        $paragraphs = explode('</p>', $content);
        if (!empty($paragraphs[1])) {
            $paragraphs[1] .= $also_read;
        }
        $content = implode('</p>', $paragraphs);
    }
    return $content;
}
add_filter('the_content', 'insert_also_read');

4. Customize the Code: Replace YOUR-RELATED-POST-URL with the actual URL of your related post.
5. Click Update File and check your posts to see if the “Also Read” section appears.

This method gives you greater control over placement and design without relying on external plugins.

Method 3: Using GeneratePress Elements

If you have GeneratePress Premium, you can use the Elements Module to add an “Also Read” section effortlessly.

Steps to Use GeneratePress Elements:

1. Enable the Elements Module:
   • Go to Appearance > GeneratePress > Elements and activate it.
2. Create a New Hook Element:
   • Go to Appearance > Elements > Add New.
   • Select Hook as the element type.
   • Enter a name like “Also Read Section”.
3. Add the Following Code in the Content Box:

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong> <a href="YOUR-RELATED-POST-URL">Your Related Post Title</a></p>

4. Choose Hook Location:
   • Set Hook to generate_after_content.
5. Set Display Rules:
   • Choose Location > Posts (to show it only on blog posts).
6. Save & Publish.

This method is perfect for those using the premium version of GeneratePress and looking for a built-in way to insert additional content.

Which Method Should You Use?

• ✅ For Beginners: Use Method 1 (Plugin) for quick setup.
• ✅ For Basic Customization: Use Method 2 (Custom Code) to manually control the placement.
• ✅ For Advanced Users (Premium Theme): Use Method 3 (GeneratePress Elements) for seamless integration.

By adding an “Also Read” section to your blog, you can guide your readers to relevant content, boost page views, and enhance user experience. Choose the method that best fits your needs and start optimizing your website today!

Do you have any questions or need further assistance? Let us know in the comments!