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WP Author, Date and Meta Remover

3.2 (25 reviews)
· 10K+ active installs · By Johnnie
Active Installs
10K+
Rating
3.2 / 5
Version
v1.0.6
Last Updated
Jan 2021
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Plugin Review

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What is WP Author, Date and Meta Remover?

WP Author, Date and Meta Remover is a lightweight plugin designed to strip author names, publication dates, and other post metadata from your WordPress site. Developed by Johnnie, this tool has been available for 12 years, making it one of the older plugins in the Author category. It currently shows 10K+ active installs and holds a 3.2/5 rating from 25 ratings. The rating split is notable: 56% of users gave it 6% assigned one star, indicating a polarized user experience. The current version is 1.0.6, and it was last updated on Jan 25, 2021.

The plugin works by injecting CSS into your site’s header to hide metadata elements. It targets standard WordPress themes from 2011 to 2016. The developer describes it as a "plug-and-play" solution with no admin panel. Many business owners use it to remove time stamps from evergreen content, where a date can make a post feel outdated. The plugin’s description emphasizes that WordPress is no longer just a blog, and that static business pages benefit from cleaner layouts without author or date clutter.

Key Features of WP Author, Date and Meta Remover

  • CSS-Based Metadata Removal – The plugin uses a simple CSS file to hide author, date, and other meta elements from your posts and pages without modifying theme files.
  • No Admin Panel Required – Activation is all that is needed. There is no settings page, making it a true set-and-forget tool for beginners.
  • Targets Home Page and Single Posts – Metadata is removed from both the blog index and individual post views, covering the two most common locations.
  • Compatible with WordPress 3.0.1+ – The plugin supports legacy installations, though it is only tested up to WordPress 5.6.17.
  • Zero Runtime Load – Because it relies on a static CSS file, the plugin claims no impact on page loading speed or database queries.
  • Pro+ Version Available – A commercial upgrade called "WP ADMR Pro+" offers icon customization, jQuery-based control, and support for premium themes.
  • Works with Standard Themes 2011–2016 – The free version is explicitly built for these default WordPress themes, though it may work with others.
  • User Feedback Integration – The developer accepts theme-specific CSS fixes from users to expand compatibility over time.

Who Should Use WP Author, Date and Meta Remover?

This plugin is best suited for beginners who run a simple blog or business site using a default WordPress theme from 2011 through 2016. If you want to remove author WordPress entries or hide post date WordPress stamps without touching code, this tool offers a direct solution. It appeals to users who run evergreen content sites, such as local business pages or reference blogs, where a time stamp can reduce perceived relevance. The plugin requires no technical skill beyond installation and activation.

However, the plugin is not ideal for users on modern or custom themes. With only 10K+ installs and a 3.2/5 rating, it serves a niche audience. If you need to hide author and date WordPress posts on a premium theme from 2020 or later, this free version will likely fail. The developer’s FAQ explicitly states that users should contact their theme author for removal instructions if the plugin does not work. For those on standard themes, it remains a zero-configuration option.

Installation & Setup

Installation follows the standard WordPress plugin process: search for "WP Author, Date and Meta Remover" in the Add New screen, install, and activate. No configuration is required. The plugin works immediately after activation, removing metadata from your home page and single posts. This is a beginner-friendly process, though users should note the plugin has no admin panel to confirm its operation.

Support & Community

Support data reveals a concerning picture. Over the past two months, the plugin recorded 0 open threads and 0 resolved threads, yielding a 0% resolution rate. This suggests either very few users seek help, or that support is effectively inactive. The last plugin update was Jan 25, 2021, over five years ago as of 2026, which aligns with the lack of recent support activity. The rating split of 56% 44% one-star underscores the divide: satisfied users likely run compatible themes, while frustrated users encounter compatibility issues with no recourse.

The developer encourages users to send theme-specific metadata removal information to improve the plugin. This community-driven approach could help users who want to remove post meta data WordPress from unsupported themes. However, the lack of recent updates and support threads suggests limited active development. Users searching for how to remove post date in WordPress on modern themes should consider this plugin only if they are willing to test it on their specific setup and accept potential failure.

Pros & Cons

What's Good
  • With 10K+ active installs, it is a widely used solution for removing author and date metadata without editing theme files.
  • The plugin uses a lightweight CSS-based approach, adding no runtime load to your site.
  • It offers instant customization or elimination of post meta data, including author, date, category, comments, and tags.
  • 56% of its 25 ratings are 5-star, indicating satisfaction among many users for its core functionality.
  • It works out of the box with standard WordPress themes (2011–2016) and eliminates the need for a child theme.
Drawbacks
  • With a 3.2/5 rating and 44% 1-star reviews, a significant portion of users find the plugin ineffective for their theme.
  • It may not work with many third-party themes, as it is based on CSS from standard WordPress themes 2011–2014.
  • The plugin has 0 support threads resolved, suggesting no active support or troubleshooting available for users.

Technical Details

Requires WordPress
3.0.1+
Tested up to WP
5.6.17
First Released
2014 (12+ years)
Support (last 2 months)
0 threads

Feature Tags

author date home-page metadata post

Frequently Asked Questions