3

I will be modifying a theme to add post types to it here soon. I know there are post formats and I realize I could make the behavior be whatever I want. However, I would like them to be used for how they were intended. So for instance, on a link type, if I click the title should it go the the item I linked to? If there is no title, should it be the title of the link? The codex seems to try to explain this, but I am not fully understanding what it is saying.

In my searches, I am not seeing a detailed "this is what we recommend" listing. Any additional direction would be appreciated.

Improve this question
2
  • 1
    I totally feel ya! I've been working on styling post formats for a while now, and the lack of a real standard has made this a challenge because of all of the possibilities. Crowd Favorite's Post Type UI: alexking.org/blog/2011/10/25/wordpress-post-formats-admin-ui Tumblr really gets the whole post formats thing right (imho), and brings tumblr's goodness into WP. Alex King is trying to get this into core. I've got my fingers crossed. Post formats seems like a great place to go for "decisions, not options", so that things can be kept consistent.
    – Dave Romsey
    Dec 23, 2011 at 19:04
  • 1
    Just wanted to add the link to the ticket in trac: core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/19570
    – Dave Romsey
    Dec 24, 2011 at 20:59

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

Post Formats are merely a way to indicate to the theme how a post should be styled. So, ultimately, it's up to you.

But I know how useless "it's up to you" can be ... so let me give you a couple of examples:

WPCandy

If you are knew to the WordPress community, you should start reading this site. It's a fantastic resource.

The best example from this site is how they handle the "link" post format. Links get their own icon in the UI (to designate them as links), a short description, and a title. The title links to the remote link rather than to a permalink for the site.

Link Post Type on WPCandy

Tapestry by StudioPress

This is a child theme for Genesis that implements post formats by default. Different post formats have different layouts in the theme - photos, galleries, and quotes lack titles, for example.

Unlike WPCandy, though, link post formats lack titles. Their links (when you click the link icon next to a post) take you to the post permalink where you then click through again to get to the remote content.

Tapestry child theme by StudioPress

So Really ...

It's entirely up to you. The goal of post formats isn't to tell you how to style your content or dictate design decisions, it's meant to provide a standard context to post content.

If I draft a post that's a link out to another site, I mark it as a "link." My current theme, though, doesn't do anything fancy for post formats.

But if/when I change themes, that post formats stays around and if the new theme supports post formats, then my link post is styled a bit differently.

When it comes to links, though, my personal recommendation is to go the WPCandy route. Make the title link out to the remote content. And if there's no author-provided title, use the link's title. From a user perspective, this then involves fewer clicks to get to the content I really want to see.

But I guarantee others in the community will disagree with that use case. So when I say "it's up to you," all I can offer is a personal opinion.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.