How to Show Estimated Reading Time in WordPress

In today’s fast-paced digital world, users are constantly bombarded with information. Helping them quickly assess the commitment required to consume your content is crucial. Displaying an estimated reading time (ERT) on your WordPress website offers a valuable user experience enhancement. It allows visitors to gauge how long it will take to read an article, potentially increasing engagement and reducing bounce rates. This article will guide you through several methods to implement ERT on your WordPress site, from plugins to custom code solutions.

Why Display Estimated Reading Time?

Showing ERT is more than just a trendy feature; it provides tangible benefits for both your readers and your website’s overall performance. Here’s why you should consider adding it:

Improved User Experience: Readers appreciate knowing upfront how much time they’ll need to invest in an article. This transparency builds trust and allows them to plan their reading accordingly.
Reduced Bounce Rate: When users see a lengthy article without an ERT, they might be hesitant to start reading. Displaying the time commitment helps manage expectations and encourages them to stay on the page.
Increased Engagement: Knowing that an article is a quick read can incentivize users to dive in, even if they’re short on time.
Better Content Planning: As a content creator, knowing the estimated reading time can help you plan and structure your articles more effectively, catering to different audience preferences for short-form or long-form content.

Methods for Implementing Estimated Reading Time

There are several ways to add ERT to your WordPress site, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore some popular options:

Using a WordPress Plugin

The easiest and most common method is to utilize a dedicated WordPress plugin. Many plugins are available specifically for adding ERT functionality. These plugins often offer customization options, such as placement, styling, and reading speed adjustments.

Here are a few popular plugins to consider:

Reading Time WP: A simple and straightforward plugin that calculates reading time based on words per minute.
Estimated Reading Time: Offers more advanced features, including support for different post types and custom CSS styling.
Speed Booster Pack: While primarily a performance optimization plugin, it also includes an ERT feature.

Steps to Install and Configure a Plugin (Example: Reading Time WP)

Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Navigate to “Plugins” > “Add New.”
Search for “Reading Time WP.”
Click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”
Go to “Settings” > “Reading Time WP” to configure the plugin’s options. You can adjust the words per minute, the display location, and customize the text.
Test the plugin on a sample post to ensure it’s working correctly and adjust the settings as needed.

Custom Code Implementation

For those comfortable with coding, implementing ERT using custom code offers greater flexibility and control. This method involves adding PHP code to your theme’s `functions.php` file or creating a custom plugin.

Basic PHP Code Snippet

Here’s a simple PHP code snippet to calculate and display reading time:

  
  <?php
  function estimated_reading_time() {
    $content = get_post_field( 'post_content', get_the_ID() );
    $word_count = str_word_count( strip_tags( $content ) );
    $reading_time = ceil( $word_count / 200 ); // Assuming 200 words per minute

    if ( 1 == $reading_time ) {
      $timer = "1 minute";
    } else {
      $timer = $reading_time . " minutes";
    }

    $total_words = $word_count;

    $output = '<span class="reading-time">Estimated reading time: ' . $timer . '</span>';

    return $output;
  }

  // Function to display the reading time
  function display_reading_time() {
    echo estimated_reading_time();
  }

  // Add the reading time to the post content (example)
  add_filter('the_content', 'add_reading_time_to_content');
  function add_reading_time_to_content($content) {
    if (is_singular('post')) { // Only show on single post pages
      $reading_time = estimated_reading_time();
      $content = $reading_time . $content;
    }
    return $content;
  }
  ?>

Explanation of the Code

`estimated_reading_time()`: This function retrieves the post content, counts the words, and calculates the reading time based on a predefined words-per-minute rate (in this case, 200 WPM).
`display_reading_time()`: This function simply echoes the output of the `estimated_reading_time()` function. You can use this to display the reading time in your theme’s templates.
`add_reading_time_to_content()`: This function uses the `the_content` filter to automatically add the reading time to the beginning of the post content on single post pages.

Steps to Implement the Code

Access your WordPress theme’s `functions.php` file. You can do this via FTP or through the WordPress theme editor (Appearance > Theme Editor). Caution: Editing the `functions.php` file incorrectly can break your website. Always back up your website before making any changes.
Copy and paste the PHP code snippet into the `functions.php` file.
Save the changes to the `functions.php` file.
If you *don’t* want the reading time automatically added to the content, remove the `add_filter` and `add_reading_time_to_content` parts. Then, to display the reading time in a specific location in your theme, use `<?php display_reading_time(); ?>` within the desired template file (e.g., `single.php`).
Test the code on a sample post to ensure it’s working correctly.

Customizing the Code

You can customize the code snippet to fit your specific needs:

Adjust the Words Per Minute (WPM): The code uses a default WPM of 200. You can change this value based on your audience and content style. For more technical content, you might lower the WPM.
Customize the Output: Modify the HTML within the `$output` variable to change the appearance of the reading time display. You can add CSS classes for styling.
Implement Shortcodes: Instead of using `the_content` filter, you could create a shortcode to allow users to manually insert the reading time within their posts.

Considerations for Accuracy

While ERT is a helpful indicator, it’s important to remember that it’s just an estimate. Several factors can influence actual reading time:

Reading Speed: Individual reading speeds vary significantly.
Content Complexity: Technical or dense content will take longer to read.
Visual Elements: Images, videos, and other multimedia elements can interrupt the reading flow.
Reader Distractions: External factors can affect concentration and reading speed.

To improve accuracy, consider:

Adjusting WPM based on your target audience.
Using different WPM values for different content categories.
Factoring in the presence of images and videos in your calculations.

Styling the Estimated Reading Time Display

Regardless of the method you choose (plugin or custom code), you’ll likely want to style the ERT display to match your website’s design. With plugins, styling options are usually available directly within the plugin settings. For custom code, you can use CSS to control the appearance.

Here’s a basic CSS example for the custom code snippet above:

  
  .reading-time {
    font-style: italic;
    color: #888;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
    display: block;
  }

This CSS will italicize the reading time text, change its color to gray, add some bottom margin, and ensure it’s displayed as a block element (taking up the full width).

Conclusion

Adding estimated reading time to your WordPress website is a simple yet effective way to enhance user experience and improve engagement. Whether you opt for a plugin or a custom code solution, remember to prioritize accuracy and consistency. By providing your readers with a clear understanding of the time commitment involved, you can encourage them to explore your content and build a stronger connection with your website.