4 Proven Ways to Remove the “Powered by WordPress” Footer Credit

If you want your website to look professional and fully branded, that small “Powered by WordPress” link in your footer has to go. While it’s a nod to the fantastic platform WordPress is, it doesn’t scream “custom design.”

Luckily, removing it is easier than you think. In this guide, we’ll walk you through four simple methods, from a no-code fix to the most recommended developer approach.

First, Is It Okay to Remove the Credit?

Yes, it is perfectly legal. WordPress is open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which means you have the freedom to use, modify, and even redistribute the software. This includes changing or removing any part of the theme you don’t like, including the footer credit.

However, be aware that some commercial theme developers might request in their terms of service that you keep the credit link. While not legally binding in the same way as the GPL, it’s good practice to check your theme’s policy.

Crucial Pro Tip: Before you edit any theme code (Methods 3 and 4), you MUST use a child theme. If you edit the original theme files directly, your changes will be completely erased the next time the theme updates. A child theme inherits the parent theme’s functionality but keeps your modifications separate and safe.

Method 1: The Easy Way (Using the Theme Customizer)

Many modern themes offer a built-in option to change or remove the footer credit directly from the WordPress Customizer. This is the easiest and safest method.

1. From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Appearance → Customize.
2. Look for a section named “Footer Options,” “Footer Settings,” or “Site Identity.” The location varies from theme to theme.
3. Inside, you should find a field to edit the “Copyright Text” or “Footer Credit.”
4. Simply delete the existing text or replace it with your own, like Copyright © 2024 | Your Brand Name.
5. Click “Publish” to save your changes.

If you can’t find this option, your theme developer didn’t include it. Don’t worry, the next methods will work for any theme.

Method 2: The Quick Fix (Using Additional CSS)

This method doesn’t remove the credit, but it hides it from visitors. It’s very fast, but be aware that the link will still be present in the code, which is not ideal for SEO.

1. Go to Appearance → Customize in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Click on the “Additional CSS” tab at the bottom of the menu.
3. You need to find the CSS class of the footer credit. Right-click the footer text on your site and select “Inspect.” Look for the class name associated with the text, which is often .powered-by-wordpress, .site-info, or .footer-info.
4. Paste the following code into the Additional CSS box, replacing .powered-by-wordpress with your actual class name.

.powered-by-wordpress {
    display: none;
}

5. Click “Publish.” The credit should now be invisible.

Method 3: The Recommended Way (Editing footer.php)

This is the most robust and correct way to remove the credit. You’ll be editing the footer.php file, which is responsible for generating your site’s footer. Remember to do this in your child theme.

1. From your WordPress dashboard, go to Tools → Theme File Editor. (If you don’t see this, you can also access your theme files via FTP or your hosting provider’s File Manager).
2. On the right, make sure you have selected your child theme.
3. Find and click on the footer.php file. If it’s not in your child theme, you’ll need to copy it from your parent theme’s folder into your child theme’s folder first.
4. Scan the code for the “Powered by WordPress” text. It might look something like this:

<div class="site-info">
    <a href="<?php echo esc_url( __( 'https://wordpress.org/', 'theme-name' ) ); ?>">
        <?php
        /* translators: %s: CMS name, i.e. WordPress. */
        printf( esc_html__( 'Proudly powered by %s', 'theme-name' ), 'WordPress' );
        ?>
    </a>
</div>

5. Carefully delete this entire block of code. Or, even better, replace it with your own custom copyright information:

<div class="site-info">
    &copy; <?php echo date('Y'); ?> Your Company Name. All Rights Reserved.
</div>

6. Click “Update File.” Your site’s footer is now permanently and correctly customized.

Method 4: The Plugin Way

If you’re not comfortable editing code, a plugin can do the job for you. A popular and simple option is “Remove Footer Credit.”

1. Go to Plugins → Add New in your dashboard.
2. Search for “Remove Footer Credit.”
3. Install and activate the plugin.
4. Navigate to Tools → Remove Footer Credit.
5. In the first text box, enter the exact text or HTML of the credit you want to remove.
6. In the second box, enter your own desired text (e.g., your copyright).
7. Click “Save.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Will removing the footer credit break my website?
No, if you follow the methods correctly (especially using a child theme for code edits), your site will function perfectly.

Q2: Can I add my own information in its place?
Absolutely! Replacing the default credit with your own copyright notice or a link to your sitemap is a great idea. Method 3 (footer.php) is the best way to do this.

Q3: Why can’t I find the setting in my Theme Customizer?
This is purely up to the theme developer. If they didn’t build the option into the theme, you’ll have to use one of the other methods.