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How to Edit the Footer in WordPress: 4 Easy Methods (With & Without Plugins)

TL,DR;

The website footer is key real estate for improving user navigation, boosting SEO, and building credibility.
You can customize your footer using the WordPress Customizer, Full Site Editing, plugins, or page builders like Divi.
It’s perfectly legal to remove or edit the default WordPress credit, either through the Customizer or by editing theme files.
Add navigation links, legal policies, contact info, social media icons, and newsletter signups to maximize footer value.
For professional, secure, and optimized footers, hiring developers can ensure best practices and full control over your site’s design.

Introduction

A website’s footer is more than just the space below your content — it’s valuable real estate to boost navigation, improve SEO, and build trust. Whether you’re looking to remove the “Proudly Powered by WordPress” text, insert important links, or fully customize the layout, this comprehensive guide will show you how to do it. If you prefer a professional touch or need more advanced customization, knowing when to hire WordPress developers can help ensure your footer is both functional and aligned with best practices.

Let’s dive into four beginner-friendly methods for editing your WordPress footer, supported by visual references and expert tips.

What is a WordPress Footer?

The footer is the bottom section of your website that appears consistently across all pages. It often includes:

Contact information
Copyright notices
Navigation menus
Social media links
Legal pages (Terms, Privacy, etc.)

Most WordPress themes come with predefined footer areas that you can customize. If you are new to WordPress and want to understand its core features and structure, you might find this article helpful: What is WordPress?. Depending on your theme, editing the footer may involve the Customizer, the Full Site Editor, or third-party tools like Divi or plugins.

Is It Legal to Remove “Proudly Powered by WordPress”?

Yes, absolutely. WordPress is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which means you can freely modify, redistribute, or remove any part of your theme, including credits.

However, if you’re using a free theme, it’s worth checking the developer’s terms. While removing credits is legal, some developers request attribution as a courtesy for using their themes. If unsure, consider learning more about the benefits of custom WordPress website design, which often gives you full control over every element including the footer.

How to Edit a Footer in WordPress (Overview)

There are several ways to edit a WordPress footer depending on your theme:

Using the WordPress Customizer
With Full Site Editing and Block Patterns
By removing text with a plugin
Creating a custom footer using Divi Theme Builder

If you plan to expand your site or need professional help, knowing how to hire WordPress developers can be a game-changer.

Let’s break down each method in detail.

Method 1: Edit Footer via WordPress Customizer (Classic Themes)

Accessing the Customizer

To begin:

Go to your WordPress dashboard.
Click on Appearance > Customize.

The Customizer gives you visual control over various site elements, including the footer (if supported by your theme).

Manage Footer Widgets

Within the Customizer, click Widgets > scroll to Footer Widget Area. Here, you can:

Add Navigation, Text, or Image blocks
Rearrange or remove existing widgets
Include menus or custom HTML

Adjust Footer Colors and Layout

In themes like Twenty Twenty, you can:

Change the footer background color
Adjust link color, text size, and layout

Add Custom CSS (If Needed)

Need more design flexibility?

Go to Customize > Additional CSS
Paste a CSS snippet like:

.site-footer {

background-color: #333333;

color: #ffffff;

}

Preview the result instantly and publish when ready.

If you want to keep your site optimized while customizing, consider reading tips on how to speed up WordPress websites as footer content can affect load times.

Method 2: Edit Footer with Full Site Editing (Block Themes)

If you’re using a Block Theme like Twenty Twenty-Two or Twenty Twenty-Four, you can edit the footer directly using the new Full Site Editing experience.

Open Full Site Editor

Go to Appearance > Editor
Scroll to the footer section and click to edit

You can now edit it as you would any page or post using blocks.

Add or Customize Footer Blocks

You can add:

A Navigation block for footer menus
A Social Icons block
A Custom HTML block for newsletter forms or embeds

Use WordPress Block Patterns

Visit the Block Pattern Directory
Search “footer” and copy your preferred pattern
Paste it into your site using an HTML block
Convert to blocks for full visual editing

This method is ideal for those who want flexibility without code. Full Site Editing is one of the latest improvements in WordPress, which you can explore further in What’s New in WordPress 6.8.

Method 3: Remove “Proudly Powered by WordPress”

Use Customizer (No Coding Required)

When you first install WordPress, many themes automatically include a “Powered by WordPress” link or text in the footer of your website. This small credit is usually part of the theme’s default footer design and isn’t added through a widget, which can make it tricky to find and edit.

Some themes customize this footer credit to display their own branding or links, but most allow you to change or remove it through the WordPress Theme Customizer. To check if your theme supports this:

1. In your WordPress admin dashboard, go to Appearance » Customize.
2. Look for a section titled Footer, Site Identity, or something similar.

3. Within this section, you may find an option to edit or remove the footer credit text.

If your theme allows it, simply update the text to your preferred message or leave it blank to remove it entirely.

Manual Code Method (For Developers)

Prefer to do it without a plugin?

Go to Appearance > Theme File Editor
Open footer.php
Locate the line that contains the credit text
Comment it out or delete it:

<!– <?php echo get_bloginfo( ‘name’ ); ?> Proudly powered by WordPress –>

Warning: Always back up your theme files before making edits.

Also, if you’re concerned about security when editing theme files, this guide on how to secure your WordPress website from hackers may be helpful.

Method 4: Create Custom Footers Using Divi (or Other Page Builders)

Start with Divi Theme Builder

Go to Divi > Theme Builder
Select “Build Global Footer”
Choose “Build from Scratch” or use a pre-made template

Design from Scratch or Use Templates

You can:

Add columns, text, logos, links, and icons
Style each section with Divi’s visual tools
Save and apply the footer sitewide

This is ideal for users who want pixel-perfect control over every element.

For more advanced customization, understanding the advantages of custom WordPress development can give you insight into the full potential of your site.

What to Include in Your WordPress Footer

Your WordPress footer isn’t just the end of a webpage—it’s a strategic area that can improve SEO, reinforce trust, enhance user experience, and drive conversions. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what you should include in your footer, depending on your business goals and site structure:

1. Important Navigation Links

Use the footer as a secondary navigation menu. Include links to:

About Us
Contact
Blog
Careers
Sitemap
FAQ
Help Center or Support
Affiliate/Partnership pages

Best Practice: Limit links to 8–10. Group them in columns with clear headings for easy scanning.

2. Legal and Policy Links (Required for Compliance)

Every site must include:

Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Cookie Policy
Accessibility Statement (ADA compliance)
Refund and Shipping Policy (if you run an eCommerce site)

These pages build credibility and help with GDPR, CCPA, and other legal frameworks.

3. Local Business Info (NAP Details)

If you run a brick-and-mortar business or serve a specific region, include your NAP details (Name, Address, Phone):

4. Social Media Icons

Add clickable icons that link to:

Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube
Twitter/X
Pinterest (if relevant)

Use official brand icons, and keep them monochrome or aligned with your theme style.

5. Newsletter Signup / Lead Magnet CTA

Place an email capture form or call-to-action like:

“Subscribe to Our Newsletter”
“Get Free SEO Tips”
“Download Free eBook”

Use platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or FluentCRM, and integrate forms via shortcode or widget.

Conversion Hack: Include a short line about what users will get (e.g., “Weekly tips. No spam.”)

6. Breadcrumbs or Navigation Backlinks (Advanced UX)

If you’re on a content-heavy or eCommerce site, provide:

Recent posts
Popular categories
“Return to Top” button
Product categories or filters

7. © Copyright and Trademark

Include a copyright notice to protect your content legally and show ownership of your website. If applicable, add trademark symbols to reinforce brand identity and prevent unauthorized use.

Conclusion

Editing your WordPress footer might seem small, but it plays a big role in your website’s overall usability, branding, and SEO. Whether you’re using the Theme Customizer, Full Site Editing, a plugin, or a theme builder like Divi, the key is to keep your footer clean, informative, and aligned with your site’s goals. If you find these tasks challenging or want to ensure best practices, you might consider how to hire WordPress developers who specialize in customizing footers and optimizing site structure. Always include essential elements like legal links, navigation, and contact info to make your site more trustworthy and user-friendly. With the right setup, your footer can become a powerful asset—not just an afterthought.

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