Gravatar for WordPress: Everything You Need To Know

Have you scrolled through WordPress websites and noticed avatar images next to brand names? These unique avatars are known as gravatars. Gravatars help increase virtual connections and make users and brands more recognizable.

This is especially helpful for WordPress websites that have comments enabled. When people leave comments, you may find yourself gravitating to the ones with a profile picture. We trust that the person left an honest opinion because they were brave enough to upload their avatar alongside their comments.

In this post, we’ll cover why you should use a Gravatar and how to set up your own Gravatar profile.

Table of Contents:

• What is Gravatar?
• Why should you use Gravatar?
• How to Set Up Your Gravatar Account
• How to Enable Gravatars on Your WordPress Website

What is Gravatar?

Gravatar stands for Globally Recognized Avatar. This web service lets users upload an online avatar and associates the avatar with their email. When visitors log in to WordPress using their email and leave a comment on a WordPress website, Gravatar automatically uploads the avatar on the user’s profile. Then, that avatar is shown next to the comment on the site.

For businesses, a brand logo can have a similar effect and can serve as your avatar to boost brand visibility and establish a connection with your audience.

So, when you log in to leave a comment on a WordPress site, your avatar will automatically appear next to your statement. If you’re a website owner, you also have the option to let your visitors use Gravatar in the same way.

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Why should you use Gravatar?

1. You don't need to upload a new avatar for each blog you comment on.
2. Gravatar gives commenters more brand visibility.
3. WordPress administrator’s default icon will appear next to comments if users don't use Gravatar.

Here are three main reasons you should use Gravatar:

• Gravatar saves you the trouble of uploading a new avatar for each blog you comment on. When you comment on websites that integrate with Gravatar, your photo or brand logo will display. Instead of just showing a name with an icon, people can identify with your logo. As a result, you get brand consistency across the web.
• WordPress administrators can activate Gravatar on their sites to give commenters more brand visibility. By using Gravatar, you get transparency about who posts comments on your site.
• WordPress administrator’s default icon will appear next to your comments if you decide not to use Gravatar. When you leave comments on WordPress websites, there will always be an avatar next to your name. However, it won’t be unique to your brand.

How to Set Up Your Gravatar Account

Setting up your Gravatar profile means you don’t have to upload your picture on every comment you make on WordPress sites. This easy setup process saves you time, so you can focus on leaving thoughtful comments. Follow the steps below.

1. Sign up for an account on the Gravatar website.

2. Sign in using your WordPress.com credentials or sign up for a free WordPress.com account.

3. After logging in, approve Gravatar to use your WordPress.com account.

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4. Now, click Add one by clicking here to upload your image.

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5. After uploading your image, you can crop the image and select an appropriate rating for your image. (Your Gravatar image can be rated G, PG, R, or X. G is suitable for all audiences, and X is restricted for adult-only content.)

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6. And you’re done! Your Gravatar will now appear when you post a comment on a WordPress site. It will look similar to this example:

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How to Enable Gravatars on Your WordPress Website

You can encourage visitors to add their photos when leaving a comment on your site. By enabling Gravatars, you make it easier for visitors to share a picture. Follow the instructions below.

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard as an administrator.

2. Go to Settings > Discussion and scroll down to the Avatars section.

3. Next to Avatar Display, check the Show Avatars box.

4. Next to Maximum Rating, select the type of avatars permissible on your site.

5. Next to Default Avatar, select Gravatar Logo.

6. Click Save Changes.

Earn Brand Visibility With Gravatar

Earn brand visibility by adding an avatar to all your blog comments. With Gravatar, you don’t have to upload your logo every single time. Instead, connect your avatar to your email address, and the tool will automatically add your profile picture when you leave a comment. Plus, you can activate Gravatar on your WordPress site for your visitors to use. It only takes a few minutes to set up, so get started today.