{"id":19194,"date":"2021-01-24T15:00:57","date_gmt":"2021-01-24T14:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/?p=19194"},"modified":"2021-03-03T13:52:53","modified_gmt":"2021-03-03T12:52:53","slug":"wordpress-copyright-footer-code","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wordpress-copyright-footer-code\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Add a Dynamic Copyright Date in Your WordPress Footer"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A copyright notice in the footer of your WordPress website helps you protect against infringement. There are many versions of this notice, but, in most cases, it contains a copyright symbol, a copyright year (or date), and your company or website name. Webmasters that choose to add a copyright notice will need to update the date on it regularly to avoid visitors assuming that the website is outdated or not maintained regularly. While it\u2019s possible to edit the copyright date manually, it is much easier to add a dynamic copyright date that will change automatically. In this article, we will discuss the ways to add WordPress copyright code easily.
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How to add a dynamic copyright date in your WordPress footer<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]There are several ways to have a dynamic copyright text with a date in your footer. Some themes opt to include this functionality, so you should first explore whether your theme has it. Consider the options of your current theme as well as its custom theme widgets. If you find out that this functionality isn\u2019t included within your theme, or you aren\u2019t satisfied with the provided options, you should turn to the two most common alternatives for adding a dynamic copyright date. Those are WordPress plugins and the use of custom code. We will explain both below.
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Using plugins<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Thanks to the abundance of WordPress plugins, you can find a plugin for practically any purpose, including adding a dynamic copyright text with a date in the footer. One of the plugins you can use, that\u2019s made specifically for this purpose, is the Current Year and Copyright Shortcodes<\/a> plugin. It is a very lightweight plugin that offers the following shortcodes:[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text][y] \u2013 showing the current year,
\n[m] \u2013 showing the current month as a word,
\n[d] \u2013 showing the current day as a number,
\n[c] \u2013 showing the copyright symbol and
\n[cy] \u2013 showing the copyright symbol followed by the current year.
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]These shortcodes can be inserted within the page or post content and within widgets, too. We have opted to use the latter, so our explanation below will show you how to use this plugin\u2019s shortcodes to add WordPress copyright text to the footer.
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]After installing the plugin<\/a>, navigate to Appearance > Widgets<\/strong> and locate a footer widget area<\/strong> where you can insert the copyright text. The name of this widget differs based on the theme you are using and whether it is a custom widget area. On the Lekker theme<\/a>, which we\u2019re using, the area we chose is called Footer Top Area – Column 2<\/em>. Once you\u2019ve located the appropriate widget area, add a Text widget inside it<\/strong>. Then add a text that \u201ccalls\u201d the shortcodes enabled by this plugin, which you\u2019ve chosen to use for your copyright notice<\/strong>. When you\u2019re done, press the Save<\/em> button<\/strong> at the bottom of the widget.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]In our case, we have included [c] that shows the copyright symbol and [y] that shows the current year, as well as a bit of accompanying text. The exact wording of a WordPress copyright notice comes down to personal preference. Regarding the date within this notice, some users opt to use only the current year, while others choose to show the time their website or business has spanned. We have opted to show the latter.
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\n
\n \"Widgets <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”38px”][vc_column_text]Depending on your theme, the result will be similar to the one displayed below.
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\n \"Lekker <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”82px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Using custom code<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]If you have tried the previous options but didn\u2019t like the result, you can always custom code this functionality yourself. Even though these kinds of solutions are generally geared towards more advanced WordPress users, creating a WordPress copyright code for your footer, or anywhere else, is quite easy.
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]For this article, we have created a custom code solution that you can use to add a dynamic copyright notice in your WordPress footer. As there are many versions of WordPress copyright text in the footer, you can use the code we provided as is or customize it to your preference. Our explanation covers the process step-by-step and thoroughly describes the structure of the code, so you will have all the information necessary if you opt to make any changes. But, make sure to explore your options and understand the code fully before making any edits.
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]This, and any similar code, should be inserted either in the functions.php of your theme or inside a site-specific plugin<\/a>. We will show you the steps for the method with the functions.php file. As it requires the use of FTP<\/a>, we suggest brushing up on it, if you aren\u2019t already comfortable with it. Additionally, we suggest making a backup of your WordPress files<\/a> just in case. Once you\u2019ve done so, we can proceed.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]To insert the code, connect to your server<\/strong> using your FTP credentials and navigate to your root WordPress directory<\/strong>, often called public_html.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”]

\n
\n \"Public <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”38px”][vc_column_text]Then, navigate to \/wp-content\/themes directory<\/strong> and click on the folder of your current theme<\/strong> to open it. Find the functions.php file<\/strong> within, right-click on it<\/strong>, and select the View\/Edit<\/em> option<\/strong> from the dropdown.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”]
\n
\n \"FTP\" <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”38px”][vc_column_text]Open the file<\/strong> using your preferred text editor and add the following code<\/strong> at the end.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
\/\/ Adding a copyright text shortcode\r\nfunction custom_copyright_text( $atts, $content = null ) {\r\n$default_atts = array(\r\n\"year_from\" => ''\r\n);\r\n$params = shortcode_atts( $default_atts, $atts );\r\n$html = '<div class=\"copyright\">Copyright &copy; ';\r\nif ( ! empty( $params['year_from'] ) ) {\r\n$html .= $params['year_from'] . ' - ';\r\n}\r\n$html .= date( 'Y' ) . ' ';\r\nif ( ! empty( get_bloginfo( 'name' ) ) ) {\r\n$html .= '<span class = \"site-title\">' . get_bloginfo( 'name' ) . '<\/span>' . ' ';\r\n}\r\nif ( ! empty( $content ) ) {\r\n$html .= '<span class=\"content-after\">' . esc_html( $content ) . '<\/span>';\r\n}\r\n$html .= \"<\/div>\";\r\nreturn $html;\r\n}\r\nadd_shortcode( 'copyright_text', 'custom_copyright_text' );<\/pre>\n
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\n                                    \"FTP\"                        <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”38px”][vc_column_text]Afterward, save the changes<\/strong> you made to the file and upload it back to your server<\/strong> to override the file that\u2019s currently there.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]Then we can take a closer look at the composition of the code.
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]The code we created represents a function called custom_copyright_text. Using the add_shortcode()<\/a> function we have registered it as a custom shortcode<\/a> called copyright_text<\/strong>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
function custom_copyright_text( $atts, $content = null ) {\r\n\/\/ Some code \r\n}\r\nadd_shortcode( 'copyright_text', 'custom_copyright_text' );<\/pre>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]The content of the custom_copyright_text() function can be divided into two sections. The first section is where shortcode attributes are extracted and the second section creates the output that is later returned.
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]In the first section, the default values of all attributes are stored in the associative array called $default_atts. The shortcode<\/strong> is rather simple, it only has one attribute \u2013 year_from, and its default value is an empty string.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]We have used the shortcode_atts() function to compare the default and user-inserted values and store the result into the associative array called $params. Meaning, the user-inserted value for the year_from attribute will be stored unless it was omitted by the user. If that is the case, the default value will be stored instead.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]Additionally, we should mention that this shortcode is an enclosed one. This means that, apart from attributes, it also accepts user-inserted input, if any has been added. That input is contained in the $content variable that we will later use.
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
$default_atts = array(\r\n\"year_from\" => ''\r\n);\r\n$params = shortcode_atts( $default_atts, $atts );<\/pre>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]As we mentioned previously, the second section of the custom_copyright_text() function creates the HTML output of this shortcode. The output starts with the word Copyright<\/em>, followed by a copyright symbol.<\/strong> If you insert the year_from attribute<\/strong> then the output will contain a span of years<\/strong>. They will be displayed in the form of year_from \u2013 current_year. Otherwise, only the current year will be shown.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]If the site has a site title, it will be added<\/strong> as well. By site title, we are referring to the entry under the field called Site Title found in the Settings > General section of your admin dashboard. Finally, if the user has inserted additional input, it would be added at the end.<\/strong> Also, every distinct part of the output is separated by a blank space, to ensure the proper display of all possible variations of the output.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
$html = '<div class=\"copyright\">Copyright &copy; ';\r\nif ( ! empty( $params['year_from'] ) ) {\r\n$html .= $params['year_from'] . ' - ';\r\n}\r\n$html .= date( 'Y' ) . ' ';\r\nif ( ! empty( get_bloginfo( 'name' ) ) ) {\r\n$html .= '<span class = \"site-title\">' . get_bloginfo( 'name' ) . '<\/span>' . ' ';\r\n}\r\nif ( ! empty( $content ) ) {\r\n$html .= '<span class=\"content-after\">' . esc_html( $content ) . '<\/span>';\r\n}\r\n$html .= \"<\/div>\";\r\nreturn $html;<\/pre>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]Now, let\u2019s cover the use of this shortcode.
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]First of all, as it is a shortcode, you can use this WordPress copyright code inside the content of your pages and posts, as well as inside a widget area. The example we\u2019ll be using involves adding the shortcode inside a Text widget, which is placed in one of the widget areas belonging to the footer.
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]As such, the first step would require you to navigate to Appearance > Widgets<\/strong> and find the appropriate footer widget area<\/strong> where you wish to place the copyright notice. The name of the widget area can differ depending on the theme you are using. And if you added custom widget areas<\/a>, then they would have custom names. When you find the appropriate widget area, add a Text widget into it<\/strong>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]To show the shortcode output, you will need to \u201ccall\u201d that shortcode. We will show you three different calls of this shortcode which we believe will be the most useful to you.
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]First, you can simply call the shortcode without using its attribute, the starting year, and without adding any content after. You can do so by inserting [copyright_text][\/copyright_text]<\/strong>. Assuming that you have inserted a site title in Settings > General, the output would look similar to the one below.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”]
\n    
\n                                    \"Output                        <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”38px”][vc_column_text]On the other hand, if you include a starting year, you will get an output similar to the one shown below. This is done by inserting [copyright_text year_from = \u2018start-year\u2019][\/copyright_text]<\/strong> where the start_year<\/strong> is replaced with a numerical value for the actual year.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”]
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\n                                    \"Output                        <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”38px”][vc_column_text]Finally, if you also include some content between the opening and closing shortcode call, you will achieve an output similar to the one shown below. This is done by inserting [copyright_text year_from = \u2018start-year\u2019]your-content[\/copyright_text]<\/strong> where the start_year<\/strong> and your-content<\/strong> are replaced with appropriate content, as shown below.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”]
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\n                                    \"Output                        <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”38px”][vc_column_text]We should mention that depending on the theme you are using, some additional CSS code might be needed to stylize the output of the shortcode. As the shortcode is rather simple, you will likely only need to make minor (if any) adjustments with CSS.
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]You can use the CSS classes we included inside the code to help make the stylization easier. Afterward, insert the CSS under Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS. In case the CSS code you use to stylize the content is longer, we suggest placing it in a separate file and enqueueing it using wp_enqueue_style<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”68px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The copyright notice is an important part of every WordPress website, but one that needs to be regularly updated. The best way to do so is to include a copyright notice with a dynamic date in the footer. Doing so isn\u2019t a difficult task, especially if you follow the advice given in this article. Whether you find suitable theme options, use a plugin, or insert WordPress copyright footer code, we are confident you will complete the process in a couple of minutes after reading this article. Before you leave, we suggest you bookmark it for use on future websites.
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It’s important to let users know that your site content is protected, which is where the WordPress copyright footer code comes into play.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11229,"featured_media":19287,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[21,15,4,13],"class_list":["post-19194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tutorials","tag-php","tag-plugins","tag-tips","tag-wordpress"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19194","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11229"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19194"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19194\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}