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To remove dates from WordPress post URLs, open Settings → Permalinks, choose Post name, and click Save Changes. For a custom format, remove the %year%, %monthnum%, and %day% tags while keeping %postname% (or %post_id%). This changes existing post URLs as well as URLs for new posts, so configure redirects from the old dated addresses before or immediately after saving.
Choose the date-free URL structure
| Option | Example | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Post name | /post-title/ |
Most sites that want a short, date-free URL |
| Custom structure | /%category%/%postname%/ |
Sites that need another identifier, such as a category, while excluding dates |
The built-in Post name setting is the simplest choice. A custom structure must omit the date tags and include %postname% or %post_id% so WordPress can resolve the post.
Remove dates from WordPress post links
- Record your current permalink structure and note how many published posts use dated URLs.
- In the WordPress dashboard, go to Settings → Permalinks.
- Select Post name, or enter a custom structure that excludes
%year%,%monthnum%, and%day%. - Click Save Changes. WordPress applies the new structure after the settings are saved.
A URL such as /2026/01/01/post-title/ will then use a date-free form such as /post-title/, assuming that is the resulting structure and slug.
What happens to existing posts
The setting changes the permalink format for previously published posts as well as future posts. The old dated address may not redirect automatically. Without redirects, bookmarks, search results, social shares, and links from other sites can lead to a missing page or the wrong destination.
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Set redirects to the matching new URLs
Create a permanent redirect from every old post URL to its corresponding new URL. WordPress.com specifically warns that old links may not redirect automatically and recommends using a redirection plugin. On a self-hosted site, use a redirect tool supported by your WordPress installation or server configuration.
- Map each old dated URL to the same post’s new slug.
- Use one direct redirect rather than a chain of redirects.
- Do not send every old URL to the homepage; preserve the original post destination.
- Keep redirects in place long enough for visitors and external links to transition.
Test after the change
Check a representative sample of old URLs, including older and recently published posts. Confirm that each reaches the correct article, that the final address is the new date-free URL, and that there are no redirect loops, chains, or unmatched pages. Also test a newly published post to verify the new structure is being generated.
Post name versus a custom structure
Use Post name for the shortest setup
Post name produces a compact URL based on the post slug and avoids dates without requiring additional structure tags. It is usually easier to manage when category names may change.
Use a custom structure when another identifier matters
A custom structure can retain a category or another supported tag while excluding dates. For example, /%category%/%postname%/ keeps the category in the path. Consider whether category changes would also change URLs and whether your slugs will remain unique and manageable.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteRemoving dates from post URLs does not remove date archives
Individual post permalinks and date archive URLs are separate parts of WordPress’s rewrite system. Changing a post structure to remove dates does not, by itself, delete or disable date-based archive pages. Handle archive visibility separately if you do not want those archives available.
WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress differences
On WordPress.com, the permalink-structure feature is documented as available on plugin-enabled Personal, Premium, Business, and Commerce plans. The exact controls depend on the site’s plan and configuration. On self-hosted WordPress, administrators should use the permalink settings supported by their WordPress installation and hosting setup; server rules or security controls can affect redirect implementation.
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Common problems after changing permalinks
Old links return 404 errors
The old URL has no working redirect. Add a one-to-one permanent redirect to the post’s new URL and retest the original address.
The URL still contains a date
Reopen Settings → Permalinks and check that the selected structure is Post name or that the custom structure contains no date tags. Save the settings again.
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Review duplicate or ambiguous slugs and any custom structure that omits a distinguishing element. Correct the affected slugs or structure, then update the corresponding redirects.
Redirects form a loop or chain
Inspect the source and destination rules so each old URL points directly to its final new URL. Remove overlapping rules that send the request through an intermediate address.
Does removing the date improve SEO?
Changing the permalink format can make URLs shorter and easier to read, but the official WordPress guidance for this procedure does not establish a quantified ranking benefit. Treat the change as a URL-structure and maintenance decision, and prioritize accurate redirects so existing links continue to work.
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