Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
To redact selected words in WordPress, use a redaction plugin that replaces, covers, blurs, or reveals the text on the published page. This creates a visual mask; it does not delete the original text. For passwords, payment-card numbers, legal secrets, or any information that must never reach a visitor’s browser, remove or replace the data before publishing instead.
What “redact” means in WordPress
WordPress redaction usually means hiding part of a post visually while retaining the underlying content for the editor, database, or page output. Depending on the tool, readers may see a solid black block, blurred text, replacement wording, or a control they can click to reveal the original.
That is different from deleting data or protecting an entire page. A visual redaction can still leave the original text in the dashboard, database, delivered HTML, or an image URL. Treat it as a presentation effect or controlled disclosure, not as a security boundary.
Recommended Free Tools
Redact selected text with a plugin
RedAction: the flexible option
BaqFlo RedAction is designed for selective redaction. It supports reusable rules, CSS-selector targeting, solid covers, text and image blur, visual replacement or removal, click-to-reveal interactions, popup confirmation, scheduling, destination notices, and Gutenberg toolbar integration.
#1 Best Overall
- PORTABLE SCANNER FOR USE ON-THE-GO — The fastest and lightest mobile single-sheet-fed compact document scanner in its class¹
- QUICK DOCUMENT SCANNING ― This Epson ultra-fast scanner scans a single page as quickly as 5.5 seconds²; Windows and Mac compatible
- VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING ― Portable scanner scans documents up to 8.5 x 72 in; Also easily digitizes receipts and ID cards to make accounting, bookkeeping, and organizing simpler
- INTUITIVE, HIGH-SPEED SOFTWARE — Epson ScanSmart Software³ is a smart tool allowing you to easily scan, review, and save; Stay organized easily with the help of this Epson scanner
- EASY SETUP — USB-powered connect to your computer for quick and simple scanning; No batteries or external power supply required to operate portable document scanner; Standard Connectivity: USB 2.0
- In the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New Plugin.
- Search for RedAction, install it, and activate it.
- Open the plugin’s administration screen and create a Redaction Rule.
- Choose the visual mode, such as a solid cover, blur, replacement, or removal effect.
- Define where the rule applies. You can target selected content through the Gutenberg workflow or use CSS selectors for matching elements.
- In Gutenberg, select the relevant block or text and apply the rule from the RedAction toolbar integration when that workflow is available.
- Configure optional reveal behavior, scheduling, confirmation prompts, or destination notices.
- Preview the public page while logged out, then inspect the page source and test the result on a separate device or browser.
RedAction’s Lite modes are explicitly visual: the original content remains available in the delivered page source. The listing describes a server-side protection tier for cases where content must be transformed before it reaches the browser. Confirm the edition and processing mode you are using before treating a redaction as access control.
Eyes Only: a basic black-block effect
Eyes Only is a simpler approach for blacking out text. The installation path is the same: open Plugins → Add New Plugin, search for the plugin, install it, and activate it. WPBeginner describes a black-block replacement and an optional replacement-word approach.
Rank #2
- FAST SPEEDS - Scans color and black and white documents a blazing speed up to 16ppm (1). Color scanning won’t slow you down as the color scan speed is the same as the black and white scan speed.
- ULTRA COMPACT – At less than 1 foot in length and only about 1. 5lbs in weight you can fit this device virtually anywhere (a bag, a purse, even a pocket).
- READY WHENEVER YOU ARE – The DS-640 mobile scanner is powered via an included micro USB 3. 0 cable allowing you to use it even where there is no outlet available. Plug it into you PC or laptop and you are ready to scan.
- WORKS YOUR WAY – Use the Brother free iPrint&Scan desktop app for scanning to multiple “Scan-to” destinations like PC, Network, cloud services, Email and OCR. (2) Supports Windows, Mac and Linux and TWAIN/WIA for PC/ICA for Mac/SANE drivers. (3)
- OPTIMIZE IMAGES AND TEXT – Automatic color detection/adjustment, image rotation (PC only), bleed through prevention/background removal, text enhancement, color drop to enhance scans. Software suite includes document management and OCR software. (4)
Check its maintenance status before relying on it. WPBeginner’s guide warns that Eyes Only has not been updated recently, so test it against your current WordPress, theme, editor, caching, and accessibility setup. A plugin that works on one site may produce different output after a WordPress or theme update.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Creative blackout effects are not confidentiality tools
Redact — Blackout & Erasure Poetry is intended for literary blackout and erasure-poetry effects. Its text-based output, CSS-only front end, attribution, keyboard support, and PNG export suit creative publishing, not the protection of confidential information.
Rank #3
- FAST DOCUMENT SCANNING — Document scanner with feeder allows you to speed through stacks with a 50-sheet Auto Document Feeder (ADF); Efficient office scanner to help you scan more productively
- INTUITIVE, HIGH-SPEED SOFTWARE — Quickly scan with this desktop document scanner; Epson ScanSmart Software lets you easily preview scans, email files, upload to the cloud, and more; Plus, automatic file naming saves even more time
- SEAMLESS INTEGRATION — Easily incorporate your data into most document management software with the included TWAIN driver; Office document scanner integrates seamlessly with business workflows
- EASY SHARING — Duplex scanner allows you to scan straight to email or popular cloud storage2 services like Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive, and OneDrive for simple storage and sharing
- SIMPLE FILE MANAGEMENT — Scanner allows the creation of searchable PDFs with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and convert scans to editable Word or Excel files effortlessly; Designed for home and office document scanning
RedAction and Eyes Only compared
| Capability | RedAction | Eyes Only |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Selected text, images, or targeted elements through rules and selectors | Basic text blackouts or replacement wording |
| Visual modes | Solid cover, blur, replacement, removal, and other configured effects | Black-block style replacement |
| Reveal interaction | Click-to-reveal and optional confirmation behavior | Not established in the cited guide |
| Scheduling and notices | Supported by the feature listing | Not established in the cited guide |
| Editor workflow | Gutenberg toolbar integration plus reusable rules | Basic plugin application |
| Security model | Lite visual modes leave original content in delivered HTML; the listing describes a server-side protection tier | Redacted content remains part of the WordPress site unless you remove it |
| Maintenance consideration | Verify compatibility for the edition you install | WPBeginner warns it has not been updated recently |
Hide an entire post or page with WordPress core
WordPress’s built-in visibility settings control a whole entry, not a few words. In the editor, open the post or Page settings, find Visibility, and choose one of these states:
- Public: visible to everyone after publication.
- Private: limited to users with the required WordPress permissions.
- Password Protected: visitors see a password prompt before the entry content.
Use Private when access should be limited to authorized WordPress users. Use Password Protected for a simple shared-password gate. Neither option selectively blacks out words inside an otherwise public article, and neither substitutes for removing a secret from content that should not be delivered at all.
Rank #4
- Scanner type: Document
- Connectivity technology: USB
- With Auto Scan Mode, the scanner automatically detects what you're scanning
- Digitize documents and images
Why visual redaction is not secure deletion
A browser must receive enough information to render a visual effect. Depending on the plugin and mode, the unmasked text may remain in the HTML, in an original image URL, in WordPress’s database, or in the editor. A visitor may also discover it through source inspection, developer tools, cached copies, feeds, revisions, exports, or an accidentally exposed API response.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsDo not use a visual black box or blur for:
- Passwords, API keys, recovery codes, or private tokens
- Credit-card numbers or other payment data
- Identity documents and personal data that must remain undisclosed
- Unpublished legal, medical, employment, or contractual information
For those cases, edit the source before publication: delete the sensitive value, replace it with a non-sensitive placeholder, remove it from uploaded images, clear revisions and drafts where appropriate, and check caches, feeds, backups, and connected services. If a published page already exposed the data, rotate credentials or payment details rather than merely adding a visual mask.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- OUR MOST ADVANCED SCANSNAP. Large touchscreen, fast 45ppm double-sided scanning, 100-sheet document feeder, Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, automatic optimizations, and support for cloud services. Upgraded replacement for the discontinued iX1600
- CUSTOMIZABLE. SHARABLE. Select personalized profiles from the touchscreen. Send to PC, Mac, mobile devices, and clouds. QUICK MENU lets you quickly scan-drag-drop to your favorite computer apps
- STABLE WIRELESS OR USB CONNECTION. Built-in Wi-Fi 6 for the fastest and most secure scanning. Connect to smart devices or cloud services without a computer. USB-C connection also available
- PHOTO AND DOCUMENT ORGANIZATION MADE EFFORTLESS. Easily manage, edit, and use scanned data from documents, receipts, photos, and business cards. Automatically optimize, name, and sort files
- AVOIDS PAPER JAMS AND DAMAGE. Features a brake roller system to feed paper smoothly, a multi-feed sensor that detects pages stuck together, and skew detection to prevent paper damage and data loss
Verification checklist before publishing
- Decide whether you need a visual effect, selective disclosure, or genuine access control.
- Choose a maintained plugin and verify compatibility with your WordPress version, theme, editor, caching layer, and accessibility requirements.
- Apply the rule or visibility setting in the editor, then save a revision or staging copy before changing a live page.
- Open the public URL in a logged-out private window and test every reveal, password, and permission path.
- Inspect the rendered HTML and page source. If the original value is present, the method is visual rather than secure.
- Check images, feeds, revisions, search previews, REST responses, caches, and backups for unintended copies.
- Remove or replace any value that must not be delivered to visitors, and rotate exposed credentials immediately.
Which method should you use?
- Choose RedAction when you need selective targeting, reusable rules, Gutenberg integration, reveal controls, scheduling, or multiple visual styles.
- Choose Eyes Only only for a simple black-block presentation effect, after checking its current maintenance and compatibility.
- Choose Private or Password Protected when the entire post or page should be gated.
- Delete or replace the data before publishing when confidentiality matters; no client-side visual mask can make delivered source content secret.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
