Dates Or No Dates: That Is The Question!
I've noticed an increasing amount of websites removing all dates from their posts.
There seem to be arguments for and against doing this. On one of my sites, it seemed to make sense, because nothing on there is date sensitive and it may put people off to see an old date there - even if it's still totally relevant to them.
However, I have noticed plenty of people removing dates from their sites in the internet marketing/make money online space.... when, a lot of those reviews and so on and even other informational posts, can become outdated quite quickly.
On the other hand, I can imagine some people being put off by an old review or post - even if it's still completely relevant.
Some people have claimed that people are less likely to trust blogs without dates on the post, but I don't know that there is any evidence that this is the case.
I do find it a bit irritating sometimes when I go to a post without a date - as I'm then unsure how recently it's been written and how accurate it is.
What do you think? Do you still have dates?
For now, I've settled for a plugin that actually states when a post was last updated. But that won't change the date in the SERPS, which I think can strongly influence whether someone clicks on the link or not.
(for anyone that doesn't know - there is a plugin that you can download that removes dates).
Recent Comments
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For my site current information is very important. The field is ever evolving. For me I'll keep the dates, and reassure my audience that the information is current. Where I site scholarly or scientific information I also include the date of publication and the source (linked to the document).
Hey Neh, I believe for 'ever green' (that is always relevant) content dates are not important. However if time important then yes dates would be handy. If ever I'm in doubt, I check out the comments on a website as they (to my knowledge) have the dates included.
Good discussion topic
To me going to a post and not finding a date is annoying like you said. I would like to know if something is from yesterday or 5 years ago.
It seems more authentic to have dates, and I plan on keeping dates on all my posts.
Jessica
Yes, I do agree with those points Jessica. Thank you. I'd be interested to hear from some of the bloggers that have removed dates as well - mainly to know if they think it's improved their click-through rates and conversions. Nat
One of the most successful bloggers I know dates her posts, but then also dates her updates. It's been quite effective.
What exactly is she doing with updates?
I have seen some use plugins to have posts always just one day old, which makes no sense when you have comments from three years ago.
Really, I haven't seen those plugins.... that's very odd! I definitely wouldn't go for that.
She actually does it manually, usually right after the sub-title, something like "(updated 9/17/17)".
Yes, it can be complicated, so you need to ask yourself some questions.
1. Is the content evergreen and just being tweaked, or is this a significant update?
2. Is this a topic which constantly updates, so that it is important to consumers to get the latest/greatest info?
Tweaks may not need a new date, unless you are competing to prove you've always got the most current info to attract that audience.
My content is evergreen which is awesome. Date or not it's always current so I don't mind the date there .
I saw in one of the comments here, to publish it as a page instead. If you have a blog roll I don't see how that will work.
It will end up in the menu with pages instead.
Look into that one first.
If you have pages then you do not have a blog roll, it is reserved for posts. The post option remains in settings but you define a page as a home page and any trace of posts setting is gone.
Yes I know, that's why I wouldn't use pages instead of posts, (as someone suggested, to avoid having a date on it). That wouldn't work for my website. I have very few pages - and they're just basic things that are not appropriate for the blog roll.
Hi Jovo.
I have 5 pages.
I have a blog roll for my posts.
My 'Home' page IS my blog roll
You must be behind with updates.
I only know what I use.
Jovo below is trying to tell me I can't have a blog roll if I have pages? I think I know what I have on my own website.
My pages are main information that have their purpose.
"Jovo below is trying to tell me I can't have a blog roll if I have pages" How on Earth did you come to such a conclusion?
All sites around have both pages and posts.
Because I have both pages and a blog roll.
I thought maybe with updates you didn't know we can have both.
Hi, because you said it. I copied your comment so you can see what I mean....
"If you have pages then you do not have a blog roll, it is reserved for posts. The post option remains in settings but you define a page as a home page and any trace of posts setting is gone."
It sounds that way? I do have pages and a blog roll....
Oh God.
Let me try again.
If you have created only pages then your blog roll will be empty and you will have "nothing found" written in the place of the nonexisting objects in the existing blog roll which is your home page by default. So in order not to have such an ugly detail, you would define a page as your home page and everything related to blog roll would vanish forever. The options in settings would remain though, and you would always be able to have the blog roll back.
Do I now sound like somebody who has "updated" his basic knowledge?
I assure you, all my sites have both pages and posts, and this has been so from 2014, so I have already been "updated" for some time.
Ok, I get it now. I never would have thought that if you don't use the blog roll, it would be that way. I've never seen or heard of it before.
Thanks for the explanation, the other way sounded different.
For someone like me who had no idea, it didn't make sense how you worded it at the beginning.
I'm sure you are updated..I was being sarcastic in a joking manner.
I see from your training etc..that you are well educated and experienced Jovo.
Hi Jovo no need to apologize. I didn't even notice that you lost patience.
It's easy to misunderstand while communicating this way.
We can write something out but another person can perceive it completely differently. This is why I get into detail hoping it will be understood properly.
This is tough. I think I would want to remove it, but physically it appears to be difficult with some themes. In one which I use it is just a click in settings.
But is it really good or bad is hard to say. My reason for wanting to remove them are my posts from almost 3 years ago. With the given date they look obsolete.
Comment on plugin; I tried a few in the past, no one worked properly, one would just leave an empty space instead of numbers while words would remain. It looked ugly. So what do you use?
Yes, that's how I feel really - with some of the older posts coming up to two years old.
The plugin I've used on a couple of my sites is called WP Date Remover - seems to work ok. I don't see anything it its place, it's just as though the date was never there to begin with. I guess could depend on your theme too. Nat
Do not remember if I tried it. OK, good to know that nothing remains when it works. Thank you.
Give it a go! Personally, I tried it on the websites I didn't use so much, in case it messed things up. But it's been on there for about a month now and it's been fine. :)
I like dates. If I am researching a computer issue and see many posts that are old, then I know it is not a new issue and I can probably find a fix. If it a medical or medicine issue, I will only look at the recent. I have the dates on my sites.
I think it depends on the industry. For me working primarily in renewables, I love dates because it is so fast moving I often get people calling up asking about outdated information. If it was a page rather than a post I'd be behind the 8 ball. WIth a post I can simply say the info is outdated now. I think the same goes for online marketing.
The other thing with dates I now do religiously - if I ever write something with a date in it, such as solar power prices in 2017, I set up a reminder in Evernote for the date my time specific content expires along with the url so I can keep my site up to date.
The most obvious point is, if you don't want a date, just publish it as a page rather than a post.
Pages cannot work. I had this in one site and had to convert all to posts. There is a limit for items in the menu.
Yes - wouldn't work for me anyway, I have a blogroll as my homepage and I'd want everything to go there.
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I like to see a date to a post so I can see if its outdated or not.
Good point!