WordPress out of the box has many features that the average user simply does not use. By disabling these redundant functions, we will, firstly, secure the site, secondly, speed up and thirdly, optimize it for search engines.
If you have not cleaned your blog, you can go to the source code to see a lot of extra meta tags in the head, some links, for example, WP-JSON, Pingbacks, XML-RPC, Feed, Emojis, etc.
Using the plugin “Clearfy”
Clearfy WordPress plugin has built-in functionality to completely or partially disable these unnecessary WordPress features, With this plugin, you can easily disable and optimize the below functionalities of WordPress:
- REST API (WP JSON)
- Emoji
- links to RSS feeds
- data for blog clients
- Remove RSD link
- versions of your WordPress
- srcset and sizes for pictures
- automatic links in the comments
- Remove wlwmanifest Link
- Remove jQuery Migrate
- Disable Embed
- Remove dns-prefetch
WP JSON, What is it and How to Disable it?
WP JSON API is an interface for site management. In fact, it creates certain ways of interacting with the site: collaboration, remote control, a program interface for working without entering the admin panel.
Simple use of this API can go sideways. Here is an example of the negative side of use: strange Google search results with some kind of code inside and the address of the view */wp-JSON/. Of course, you can cure this problem by banning it robots.txt, but I think that it would be more correct to disable this function.
To disable this you can use the above-mentioned Clearfy WordPress Plugin or the Disable WP REST API plugin also have the functionality to disable this feature and more.
Emoji, What is it and How to Disable it?
Emoji is a set of beautiful emoticons and icons, in WordPress, they are implemented by special libraries.
Emoji can come in handy in a variety of entertainment resources to enhance the affection of readers. But most sites on WordPress do not use such icons, therefore it would be logical to disable this functionality, especially since it can and often slows down the loading of pages. Pictures themselves are loaded from external WordPress servers.
What is XML-RPC and How to Disable it?
XML-RPC is another AIP for remote site access. If the WP JSON API is new and still raw functionality, then XML-RPC is a riding conic. You cannot turn it off completely in WordPress since it is needed for the proper operation of some plugins. Therefore, we will disable only dangerous methods.
To disable this you can use the above-mentioned Clearfy WordPress Plugin or the Disable WP REST API. Another option is to use the All In One WP Security & Firewall plugin as it also has the option to disable XML-RPC along with various security features.
Disable Srcset and Sizes for Images in WordPress
From WordPress 4.4 the attribute srcset and is sizes added for all pictures on the site. These are, in a sense, the intermediate sizes of the picture. This function does not always work correctly, it can negatively affect the operation of some plugins and themes. In some browsers, my images were displayed in a “shriveled” form, only after the page was reloaded, everything returned to normal.
Remove Additional Unnecessary Tags from Head
The following code functions .phpwill remove the extra tags from the header of the site. The code comments say what exactly is deleted.
/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
pingback, canonical, meta generator, wlwmanifest, EditURI, shortlink, prev,
next, RSS, feed, profile from the titles head
* -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
//We move away the code meta name="generator"
remove_action('wp_head', 'wp_generator');
// We move away link rel="canonical" // this tag better to derive with the aid of plagina Yoast SEO or All In One SEO Pack
remove_action('wp_head', 'rel_canonical');
// We move away link rel="shortlink" - short reference to the current page
remove_action('wp_head', 'wp_shortlink_wp_head');
// We move away link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD"
// It is used for the service Really Simple Discovery
remove_action('wp_head', 'rsd_link');
// We move away link rel="wlwmanifest" type="application/wlwmanifest+xml"
// It is used Windows Live Writer
remove_action('wp_head', 'wlwmanifest_link');
// We move away different references link rel
// to the main page
remove_action('wp_head', 'index_rel_link');
// to the first record
remove_action('wp_head', 'start_post_rel_link', 10);
// to the previous record
remove_action('wp_head', 'parent_post_rel_link', 10);
// to the following record
remove_action('wp_head', 'adjacent_posts_rel_link', 10);
// We move away connection with the parental record
remove_action('wp_head', 'adjacent_posts_rel_link_wp_head', 10);
// We move away the conclusion /feed/
remove_action('wp_head', 'feed_links', 2);
// We move away conclusion /feed/ for the records, the categories, the tags and similar
remove_action('wp_head', 'feed_links_extra', 3);
// We move away unnecessary css plagina WP-PageNavi
remove_action('wp_head', 'pagenavi_css' );
/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
pingback, canonical, meta generator, wlwmanifest, EditURI, shortlink, prev,
next, RSS, feed, profile from the titles head
* -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
Delete the Styles of the CSS Class .recentcomments
If you use the “Recent Comments” widget, then you will find styles in the source code .recentcomments. They are not needed there for this deletion, using the following when in functions.php:
/ * ------------------------------------------------ --------------------------
* Delete the styles of the css class .recentcomments
* ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- * /
add_action ('widgets_init', 'sheensay_remove_recent_comments_style');
function sheensay_remove_recent_comments_style () {
global $ wp_widget_factory;
remove_action ('wp_head', array ($ wp_widget_factory -> widgets ['WP_Widget_Recent_Comments'], 'recent_comments_style'));
}
/ * ------------------------------------------------ --------------------------
* Delete the styles of the css class .recentcomments
* ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- * /
If the code spoils the display of the widget, then delete the code, find the .recentcomments styles, paste them into the stylesheet (style.css).
Removing Auto Links from Comments
If the reader leaves the link text when writing a comment, then after the publication of this comment the text will become a valid link. To avoid this, you can use the following code:
/* Delete auto links in comments */
remove_filter ('comment_text', 'make_clickable', 9);
/* Delete auto links in comments */
On this note, this article has come to an end, if I missed something or you had questions, write in the comments.
