How to Remove the Powered by WordPress Footer Links

Last Updated on August 27, 2026 by Digiinte.com Team

Most default WordPress themes add a small “Powered by WordPress” credit line in the footer. It is harmless, but it can also make a business site look less polished, and it takes up space you might rather use for your own copyright notice, navigation links, or branding. The good news is that removing it is completely legal and usually takes just a few minutes. This guide walks through every reliable method, from the easiest to the most advanced, along with the one method you should avoid entirely.

Key Takeaways

• Removing the WordPress footer credit is fully legal, since WordPress is released under the GPL license and can be freely modified
• The theme customizer is the fastest method and works for most modern themes without touching any code
• Block based themes use the Full Site Editor instead of the classic customizer
• Page builder users can usually edit the footer directly inside the builder itself
• A short functions.php snippet works when your theme does not offer a built in option
• Never use the CSS display none method, since it can get your site flagged for hiding links and hurt your search rankings
• Always back up your site before editing any theme files

Why the Footer Credit Appears in the First Place

WordPress itself does not force this text onto your site. Individual theme developers add it, usually as a small thank you to the WordPress project or as branding for their own theme shop. Since WordPress and most of its themes are released under the General Public License, you are fully within your rights to edit, remove, or replace this text however you like. There is no legal risk involved in removing it.

Method 1: Using the Theme Customizer

This is the simplest method and works for a large number of classic, non block themes.

1. From your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance and then Customize.
2. Look through the available sections for one labeled Footer, Footer Credits, or Site Identity, since the exact wording depends on your theme.
3. If your theme includes this option, you will see a text field containing the current footer credit.
4. Clear the field entirely, or replace it with your own custom text, such as your business name and copyright year.
5. Click Publish to save the change.

Not every theme includes this setting, so if you do not see a relevant option, move on to one of the methods below.

Method 2: Using the Full Site Editor for Block Based Themes

If you are using a block based theme, such as one of the newer default WordPress themes, the classic customizer may not apply. Instead, use the Full Site Editor.

1. Go to Appearance and then Editor from your dashboard.
2. Navigate to the Templates section and open the template that controls your footer, often called Footer directly.
3. Click on the text block containing the “Powered by WordPress” credit.
4. Delete the block, or edit the text directly to replace it with your own message.
5. Save your changes.

This method gives you full visual control without writing any code, which makes it a good option for less technical users on newer themes.

Method 3: Removing the Credit Through a Page Builder

If your site was built using a page builder such as Elementor, Divi, or a similar tool, the footer is often managed entirely within the builder rather than through the default WordPress theme settings.

1. Open your page builder and locate the footer template or footer widget area.
2. Find the text or widget block containing the WordPress credit line.
3. Delete it or replace the content with your own footer text.
4. Save and publish the updated footer template.

Since page builders vary widely in layout, the exact steps depend on which builder you are using, but the general process of locating and editing the footer widget stays consistent across most of them.

Method 4: Removing the Credit With Code

If your theme does not offer a built in option and you are not using a page builder, you can remove or replace the footer credit using a small code snippet. This method requires a bit more caution, so back up your site first.

1. Go to Appearance and then Theme File Editor, or connect to your site using FTP or your hosting file manager.
2. Open your theme’s functions.php file.
3. Add the following snippet near the bottom of the file, before the closing PHP tag if one exists:

function custom_footer_credit() {
    echo ‘Copyright ‘ . date(‘Y’) . ‘ Your Site Name. All rights reserved.’;
}
add_filter(‘the_generator’, ‘__return_empty_string’);

• Save the file and refresh your site to confirm the new footer text appears correctly.

If editing functions.php directly feels risky, consider creating a simple site specific plugin instead, since edits to a plugin are not lost when your theme updates.

Warning: Avoid the CSS Method Entirely

You may come across tutorials recommending a quick CSS fix using a rule like .site-info { display: none; }. While this technically hides the credit line visually, it does not remove the actual link from your site’s code. Search engines can still see it, and hiding a link with CSS is a common tactic used by spam sites to sneak in hidden links. This can put your site at risk of being flagged or penalized in search rankings. Stick to one of the methods above instead, since they actually remove the content rather than just hiding it from view.

Which Method Should You Use

• If your theme has a built in footer setting under the customizer, use Method 1, since it is the fastest and safest option.
• If you are using a block based theme, use Method 2 through the Full Site Editor.
• If your site is built with a page builder, edit the footer directly inside Method 3.
• If none of the above apply, use the code based Method 4, and make sure you have a backup first.
• Never use the CSS hiding method, regardless of how quick it looks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Removing the “Powered by WordPress” footer credit is a simple, fully legal way to make your site look more professional and give that footer space to your own branding. Start with the theme customizer or Full Site Editor if your theme supports it, fall back to the code method if needed, and always steer clear of the CSS hiding trick regardless of how tempting the shortcut looks.