Can't sort custom post type by random

Question

Here are the arguments for my query.

The query always shows the same order after every refresh.

Explanation to the query: it show only 4 posts of the custom post type projekte. The post has a custom meta field called ecpt_skills and it should check if there is a string in it which is stored in the variable $porjektart. It also should not show the current post. And it should order the query by random. Everything works except the random.

 $args = array( 'posts_per_page' => 4,  
'post_type' => 'projekte', 
'meta_key'  => 'ecpt_skills', 
'meta_value' => $projektart, 
'meta_compare' => 'LIKE', 
post__not_in => array(get_the_ID()),
'orderby'=> 'rand' );

Does somebody know why this happens?

Answer 1

You could use meta_query to search in the meta data, and then sort them as random:

$args = array(
        'posts_per_page' => 4,  
        'post_type' => 'projekte', 
        'orderby'=> 'rand',
        'post__not_in' => array( get_the_ID() ),
        'meta_query' => array(
            array(
                'key' => 'ecpt_skills',
                'value' => $projektart,
                'compare' => 'LIKE',
            )
        ),
    );

There is also a mistype in your code, the post__not_in should be written as 'post__not_in'.

And also, if your meta value is not numeric, you should use meta_value instead of meta_value_num.

Answer 2

Found the problem.

I use the custom post type order plugin.

So random order doesn't effect the query.

You have to insert 'ignore_custom_sort' => true, into your custom query to get it to work.