get_term_link() returns incorrect url

Question

I have a custom post type (item) with multiple custom taxonomies (item_category_A, item_category_B, etc.) I'd like to retrieve custom taxonomy terms of the current item from item_category_A, also make them clickable. My code retrieves the correct terms, but then using get_term_link() retrieves a url, looking like sitename.com/item_category_B/category_A_term_slug . What am I doing wrong? My code looks like this:

function get_item_category_A(){

   $item_cat_A = get_the_terms(get_the_ID,'item_category_A');

   echo '<a href="' . esc_url(get_term_link($item_cat_A[0]->slug,$item_cat_A[0]->taxonomy)).'">'.esc_html($item_cat_A[0]->name).'</a>';

}

Still, when I run the function, it returns the url than points to the correct term in the incorrect taxonomy (sitename.com/item_category_B/category_A_term_slug).

Answer 1

WordPress allows for customization of the default URL rewrite behavior (/slug/term) with a rewrite arguments array passed to the register_taxonomy() function.

By defining values for the slug or hierarchical keys in this array, the default URL structure can be altered to suit your needs. It may also be altered such that unexpected results are returned.

When creating multiple taxonomies, it is easy to copy & paste the labels and parameters arrays for one tax and overlook the necessity to update some of the specifics for subsequent uses.

WP Codex reference: https://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/register_taxonomy#Arguments

Hierarchical taxonomy explanation via Milo: How to enable hierarchical permalinks for hierarchical taxonomies