When you comment on a blog, a photo next to your name makes you look real and memorable. Without one, you get a gray silhouette or a random pattern. Gravatar fixes this: upload your photo once, and it appears automatically on every WordPress site (and many other sites) where you use the same email.
Here is how to set it up as a commenter and as a blog owner.
What Is Gravatar?
Gravatar stands for Globally Recognized Avatar. It links a profile photo to your email address. When you comment on a site that supports Gravatar, the site checks your email and shows your photo. Change the photo once on Gravatar, and it updates everywhere.
Gravatar is owned by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, and it is built into every WordPress site. Many other platforms, like Disqus and some developer tools, support it too.
Why You Should Use Gravatar
- Your comments stand out and look trustworthy. Comments without a photo often look like spam. See why blog comments do not get approved.
- People remember faces. Using the same photo as your social profiles builds your personal brand.
- More clicks to your blog. Readers who see you in many comment sections often click through to your site.
- Set it once, update everywhere.
How to Set Up Your Gravatar
- Go to Gravatar.com and click the button to create your Gravatar.
- Enter the email address you use for commenting. Gravatar sends you a login link or code. Use it to sign in. If you already have a WordPress.com account, you can log in with it.
- Upload a profile photo from your computer, or take one with your camera.
- Crop the image to a square and save it.
- Choose a rating (G is best, so your photo shows on all sites).
- Optionally add your name, bio, and links to your website and social profiles.
Changes can take a few minutes to appear on other sites because of caching.
Tips for a Great Gravatar
- Use a clear, friendly headshot. Your face should fill most of the square.
- Use the same photo as your social media profiles for a consistent brand.
- Do not change it often. People recognize you by it.
- Add every email you use to the same Gravatar account, so the photo shows for all of them.
How to Manage Avatars on Your WordPress Blog
As a blog owner, you control how avatars appear in your comments. Go to Settings > Discussion and scroll down to Avatars.
- Show Avatars: turn avatars on or off.
- Maximum Rating: choose G to block inappropriate images.
- Default Avatar: choose what to show for people without a Gravatar, like Mystery Person, Identicon, or a generated pattern.
Discussion”/>Want a custom default avatar with your logo, or want users to upload a photo directly on your site? The free Simple Local Avatars plugin lets users upload a profile photo from their WordPress profile without Gravatar.
Privacy Note
To show Gravatars, your site sends a hashed version of each commenter’s email to Gravatar. If you have visitors from the EU, mention Gravatar in your privacy policy. WordPress includes suggested text for this under Settings > Privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gravatar free?
Yes. Creating a Gravatar profile and using it on WordPress sites is free.
Why is my Gravatar not showing?
Make sure you use the exact email linked to your Gravatar, your image rating is G, and wait a few minutes for caches to update. Some sites also turn off avatars.
Do I need a WordPress.com account for Gravatar?
You can sign in with just your email. Gravatar is run by Automattic, so a WordPress.com account also works.
Can I use Gravatar on a self-hosted WordPress site?
Yes. Gravatar is built into every WordPress site. Manage it under Settings > Discussion.
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