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Are you tired of managing and moderating countless comments on your WordPress site? Maybe you simply want to start fresh and eliminate all comments from your website. Whatever the reason, there are a few different ways you can delete all comments from WordPress. Here are four methods you can try:
Use the Bulk Actions Feature
The first method for deleting all comments from WordPress is to use the built-in Bulk Actions feature. This method works best if you have a relatively small number of comments and you want to delete them all at once. Here’s how to do it:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to the “Comments” section.
- Use the checkboxes to select all the comments you want to delete. You can select all comments by clicking the checkbox at the top of the list.
- From the “Bulk Actions” dropdown menu, select “Delete”.
- Click the “Apply” button.
- Confirm that you want to delete the selected comments by clicking “Yes, delete these comments”.
Use a Plugin to Bulk Delete Comments
If you have a large number of comments or you want to delete comments in bulk on a regular basis, a plugin may be the most efficient solution. There are several plugins available that allow you to delete comments in bulk, including:
- WP Bulk Delete – This plugin allows you to delete comments based on various criteria, such as post type, status, date range, and more.
- Delete All Comments – This plugin allows you to delete comments by post type, status, and date range. It also includes a feature to delete trackbacks and pingbacks.
To use one of these plugins, simply install and activate it on your WordPress site. Then, follow the instructions provided by the plugin to delete your comments in bulk.
Use a SQL Query to Delete All Comments
If you’re comfortable working with databases and SQL queries, you can use this method to delete all comments from your WordPress site. Here’s how:
- Back up your database. Before making any changes to your database, it’s important to create a full backup.
- Access your database using a tool like phpMyAdmin.
- Run the following SQL query to delete all comments from your WordPress site:
DELETE FROM wp_comments;
Note: Be sure to replace “wp_” with the correct prefix for your WordPress database tables.
Delete All Comments and Start Fresh with a New Database
If you want to completely start fresh with a new database, you can delete all comments and other data from your WordPress site by creating a new database and importing a clean WordPress install. Here’s how:
- Create a new database and user in your hosting control panel or with a tool like phpMyAdmin.
- Install a fresh copy of WordPress on your hosting account.
- Import your content, themes, and plugins to the new WordPress install.
Note: This method will delete all comments and other data from your WordPress site, so be sure to create a full backup of your site before proceeding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, deleting all comments from WordPress is a simple task that can be accomplished using one of the four methods described in this article. Whether you use the Bulk Actions feature, a third-party plugin, a SQL query, or a new database, you can easily remove all comments from your WordPress site. Just be sure to create a full backup before making any major changes to your site, and carefully consider which method is the best fit for your needs and comfort level with technical tasks. By following these steps, you can easily and effectively delete all comments from your WordPress site.