How to Add Breadcrumbs in WordPress (and Show Them in Google)

Breadcrumbs are the small navigation trail at the top of a page, like Home > WordPress > Plugins. They help readers see where they are and jump back to a category. With the right markup, they also help Google understand your site structure.

A note on search results: Google stopped showing breadcrumbs in mobile search results in early 2025 and now shows only the domain there. On desktop, breadcrumbs can still appear in place of the plain URL. Breadcrumbs are still worth adding for readers and for clear site structure.

Option 1: Check Your Theme

Many themes, like Astra, GeneratePress, Kadence, and Thrive Theme Builder, have a breadcrumbs setting. Look in Appearance > Customize or your theme’s options panel. If your theme has it and outputs breadcrumb schema, you may not need anything else.

Option 2: Rank Math

1. Go to Rank Math SEO > General Settings > Breadcrumbs.
2. Turn on Enable breadcrumbs function.
3. Set the separator, home label, and other options. Save.
4. Add breadcrumbs to your site with the Rank Math Breadcrumbs block (in block themes, add it to your single post template) or the shortcode.

Option 3: Yoast SEO

1. Go to Yoast SEO > Settings > Advanced > Breadcrumbs.
2. Adjust the separator and labels, and save.
3. Add the Yoast Breadcrumbs block to your templates, or ask your theme developer if the theme supports Yoast breadcrumbs.

Yoast and Rank Math both add BreadcrumbList schema automatically, which is what Google reads. New to Yoast? See how to set up Yoast SEO.

Option 4: Breadcrumb NavXT

Breadcrumb NavXT is a dedicated free breadcrumb plugin with lots of control over how the trail looks. It includes a block and widget, and it outputs breadcrumb schema markup.

How to Check Your Breadcrumb Markup

• Open Google’s Rich Results Test and enter a post URL.
• Look for Breadcrumbs in the detected items.
• In Search Console, check the Breadcrumbs report under Enhancements for errors.

Tips for Good Breadcrumbs

• Assign each post one main category, so the trail is clear.
• Keep category names short.
• Show breadcrumbs above the post title, where readers expect them.

Want more clicks from search? Read how to increase your click-through rate in Google.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google still show breadcrumbs in search results?

On desktop, yes, breadcrumbs can replace the URL. On mobile, Google stopped showing them in early 2025 and shows only the domain.

Are breadcrumbs good for SEO?

Yes. They improve internal linking and help search engines understand your site structure, and they make navigation easier for readers.

Do I need a plugin for breadcrumbs?

Not if your theme already includes them with schema. Otherwise, Rank Math, Yoast, or Breadcrumb NavXT add them easily.

What is BreadcrumbList schema?

Structured data that tells search engines the page’s position in your site hierarchy. SEO plugins add it automatically.