Unpublishing a WordPress page is simple and ensures your content stays hidden without deleting it. Here’s how:
- Change to Draft: Edit the page and switch its status to "Draft" to remove it from public view temporarily.
- Adjust Visibility: Set the page to Private (admin-only access) or Password Protected (restricted access).
- Use Maintenance Mode Plugins: Temporarily restrict access to multiple pages or your entire site using plugins like SeedProd or WP Maintenance Mode.
- Quick Edit Option: Use the "Quick Edit" feature in the Pages menu to quickly set a page to "Draft."
Key Tip: Always set up 301 redirects for unpublished pages to avoid SEO issues like broken links.
| Method | Best For | Republishing Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Draft Status | Temporary updates | Instant |
| Password Protection | Limited-time previews | Immediate |
| Maintenance Mode | Full-site updates | Manual reset |
| Private Status | Internal collaboration | One-click |
Choose the method based on your needs, whether it’s for temporary updates, redesigns, or hiding outdated content. Protect your site’s SEO by managing links and redirects effectively.
4 Ways to Unpublish Pages in WordPress
WordPress makes it easy to hide pages from public view while keeping their content intact in your dashboard. Here are four methods you can use:
Method 1: Change Page Status to Draft
One of the simplest ways to unpublish a page is by changing its status to draft. This removes the page from public view but keeps all the content saved for later.
-
Go to "Pages" > "All Pages"
- For a single page: Open the editor, find the Publish panel, and select "Switch to draft."
- For multiple pages: Bulk select the pages, choose "Edit", set the status to "Draft", and click "Update."
Method 2: Adjust Page Visibility Settings
If you want more control over who can access a page, WordPress visibility settings are a great option.
| Visibility Option | Ideal Use Case | Who Can Access It |
|---|---|---|
| Private | Internal content | Administrators only |
| Password Protected | Client previews | Anyone with the password |
To change a page’s visibility:
- Open the page in the editor.
- In the Publish panel, click "Visibility: Public".
- Choose either Private or Password Protected based on your needs.
Method 3: Use Maintenance Mode Plugins
For managing multiple pages or even your entire site, maintenance mode plugins are a solid choice. Plugins like SeedProd and WP Maintenance Mode let you temporarily restrict access to pages.
Some key features include:
- Custom maintenance pages
- Role-based access settings
- Scheduling for automatic reactivation
To enable maintenance mode:
- Install a plugin like SeedProd or WP Maintenance Mode.
- Configure the settings to fit your needs.
- Turn on maintenance mode when making updates or changes.
Method 4: Quick Edit Option
For a fast way to change a page’s status without opening the full editor:
- Go to "Pages" > "All Pages".
- Hover over the page title and click "Quick Edit".
- Use the "Status" dropdown to select "Draft."
- Click "Update."
Once you’ve unpublished a page, keep an eye on your site’s SEO performance, which will be covered in the next section.
How Unpublishing Affects Your SEO
Taking down pages can lead to broken links and 404 errors, which can hurt your search rankings. Here’s what you need to do to avoid these issues and protect your SEO efforts:
Prevent and Fix Broken Links
Broken links can be especially damaging for local businesses, as they can reduce your visibility in location-based searches.
| Link Type | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Internal Links | Update links in navigation, content, and widgets |
| External Backlinks | Set up redirects for high-value backlinks |
To keep your site healthy:
- Use SEO tools to scan for broken links.
- Update internal links to point to active, relevant pages.
- Redirect crucial external backlinks to working pages.
Set Up Page Redirects
A proper 301 redirect can retain up to 90-99% of the SEO value from a removed page [4]. If you’re using WordPress, some plugins make setting up redirects much easier:
- Yoast SEO Premium: Automatically tracks 404 errors.
- Rank Math: Offers support for various redirect types.
- Redirection: Handles even complex redirect patterns.
For pages you’re permanently removing, set up 301 redirects before unpublishing them to keep your SEO value intact.
Which Unpublishing Method Should You Use?
Once you’ve considered SEO factors, the next step is choosing the right unpublishing method. Here’s how to decide based on your specific needs:
For temporary changes, switching a page’s status to draft is a quick and effective solution. This works well for major content updates or seasonal content that you plan to bring back later.
If you need to limit access, password protection is a solid choice. It’s especially useful for:
- Member-only content
- Promotional pages that will go live again soon
- Content requiring restricted access
For large-scale updates or a complete redesign, maintenance mode tools are the way to go. Just be cautious about using this for long periods, as it can impact user experience and SEO [3][6].
Method Comparison Chart
| Method | Best Use Case | Republishing Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Draft Status | Temporary content revisions | Instant |
| Password Protection | Limited-time previews | Immediate |
| Maintenance Mode | Full site updates | Manual reset |
| Private Status | Internal collaboration | One-click |
For e-commerce sites: Use password protection for upcoming product launches to create a sense of exclusivity and control access.
The right method depends on your content goals, whether you’re managing seasonal updates, ensuring legal compliance, or preparing for a big reveal. Consider the scenarios mentioned earlier to make the best choice.
sbb-itb-4893451
What to Do After Unpublishing Pages
Once you’ve decided how to unpublish your pages, it’s crucial to keep an eye on a few key areas to ensure your site’s performance stays on track.
Monitor Traffic and Performance
Tracking your site’s performance after unpublishing pages gives you a clear view of the impact. Use Google Analytics to focus on these metrics:
| Metric | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Overall Traffic | Trends in visitor numbers |
| Bounce Rate | How engaged users are |
| Engagement Duration | How long sessions last |
| Conversion Rate | Completion of your goals |
Compare data from at least two weeks before and after unpublishing to see what’s changed [1]. In Google Search Console, pay attention to:
- Crawl errors or 404 pages
- Index coverage problems
- Shifts in search rankings
- Lost backlinks
How to Republish Pages
If you decide to bring pages back, follow these steps to make sure the content aligns with your initial goals:
1. Review and Update Content
- Fix outdated information.
- Update internal links to ensure everything connects properly.
- Check media assets like images or videos.
- Test functionality to confirm the page works as expected.
2. Handle Technical Details
- Remove any redirects that were set up.
- Preview the page to double-check formatting.
- Update your XML sitemap in Google Search Console and resubmit it [2][5].
3. Final Checks After Publishing
- Test all internal links leading to the republished page.
"Keeping your sitemap current helps search engines understand your site structure and index your content efficiently."[2][5]
If you’re working with several pages, tools like WordPress’s bulk editing features can save you time and effort.
Conclusion: Quick Reference Guide
Here’s a handy guide to safely unpublishing WordPress pages while keeping your site running smoothly and protecting its SEO performance.
Key Steps
- Back up your site before making any changes.
- Set up 301 redirects for pages you’re permanently removing.
- Check internal links to ensure they still work properly.
Restoring Pages
Want to republish a page? Go to Pages > All Pages, find the draft you need, and restore it using Quick Edit. For handling multiple pages, consider using bulk editing plugins.
These steps help you keep your site functional while adjusting content to align with your business goals.
FAQs
How do I revert a page to draft in WordPress?
To revert a page to draft, follow these steps in the editor:
- Locate the "Publish" box on the right sidebar.
- Click "Edit" next to the page status.
- Choose "Draft" from the dropdown menu.
- Click "OK" to confirm.
- Press "Update" to save your changes. [1]
This method works specifically for published pages.
How do I bulk unpublish WordPress pages?
Use the bulk edit feature to select multiple pages at once, following the process described earlier for single-page edits.
How do I make a page inactive on WordPress?
Set the page to draft status, as explained in the earlier steps, for temporary removal.
How do I hide a WordPress page from the public?
You can either set the page to Private or use password protection. Refer to the instructions provided in Method 2.
How do I make a page not visible in WordPress?
Depending on your needs, you can set the page to draft status or adjust the visibility settings as explained in Method 2.
