Mastering WordPress get_posts: A Beginner’s Guide

The WordPress get_posts function is a powerful tool for retrieving posts, pages, and custom post types based on specific parameters.

What Is the WordPress get_posts Function?

The WordPress get_posts function allows developers to query posts using parameters like publication date, author, type, or meta key, enabling them to quickly find relevant posts. This function is especially useful for displaying lists of posts with common attributes, such as most views or similar categories.

How Does WordPress get_posts Work?

The get_posts function transforms PHP code into SQL queries that fetch post data from your WordPress database. The SQL queries are built using the WP_query class, which processes and returns an array of WP_post results. Each result represents an individual post object.

One advantage of using get_posts is that it automatically resets the WordPress loop after each query, preventing the potential issues that might arise if the loop is not properly reset.

WordPress get_posts Function Parameters

The get_posts function offers a variety of parameters that can be used to customize the query. Some of the most commonly used parameters include:

Numberposts: Sets the number of posts to retrieve, with a default value of five.
Category: Filters posts by category.
Include: Specifies post IDs to include in the query results.
Exclude: Specifies post IDs to exclude from the query results.
Post_type: Filters posts by type, such as posts, pages, or custom post types.
Post_status: Determines whether to include draft, private, or published posts.
Order: Sorts retrieved posts in ascending or descending order.
Orderby: Sets sorting criteria, like post date or number of comments.
Post_mime_type: Queries attachment post types based on mime type.
Suppress_filters: Suppresses query filters when set to TRUE.

To use these parameters, attach an array of objects to the function and specify the filtering arguments.

WP_Posts Objects

The get_posts function returns an array of post objects that include various details about your website’s posts, such as:

ID: The post ID number.
post_author: The post author’s numeric user ID.
post_title: The post title.
post_date: The publication date.
post_content: The content of the post.
post_status: The current status, such as published or draft.
post_modified: The last modification date.
comment_count: The number of comments on the post.

To display the post data, use the foreach loop and echo function.

How to Use the get_posts Function in WordPress

With its wide range of parameters, get_posts can be applied to many use cases. Below are some common examples.

How to Get the Most Popular Posts

WordPress sites often showcase popular posts in widgets. You can use get_posts to query an array of post IDs based on comment count:

 "comment_count",
      "posts_per_page" => 10
   );
   $posts_array = get_posts($arguments);
   foreach($posts_array as $post) {
      echo "" . $post->post_title . "

";
      echo "" . $post->post_ID . "

";
   }
?>

Use the orderby parameter to sort posts by the number of comments, and posts_per_page to limit the number of displayed posts.

How to Get Posts by Author

For websites with multiple contributors, finding posts by a specific author can be made easier using the author parameter:

 -1,
      "author" => 2
   );
   $sample_array = get_posts($arguments);
   foreach($sample_array as $post) {
      echo " " . $post->post_title . "";
      echo "" . $post->post_date . "";
   }
?>

The author ID is specified in the query to filter results.

How to Get Posts in the Same Category

Retrieve posts based on category using parameters like category and category_name:

 -1,
      "category" => 1,
      "orderby" => "date",
      "order" => "DESC"
   );
   $category_array = get_posts($arguments);
   foreach($sample_array as $post) {
      echo " " . $post->post_title . "";
      echo "" . $post->post_ID . "";
   }
?>

By setting the category ID, you can display posts from specific categories.

How to Get Posts With Matching Meta Keys and Values

Retrieve posts using custom fields with the meta_key and meta_value parameters:

 -1,
      "meta_key" => "color",
      "meta_value" => "blue",
      "orderby" => "date",
      "order" => "ASC"
   );
   $category_array = get_posts($arguments);
   foreach($sample_array as $post) {
      echo " " . $post->post_title . "";
      echo "" . $post->post_date . "";
   }
?>

Filter posts by matching meta key and value, useful for custom fields.

How to Get Custom Post Type With Custom Taxonomy

Use custom taxonomies to categorize content more specifically:

 -1,
      "post_type" => "movie",
      "genre" => "review",
      "orderby" => "date",
      "order" => "ASC"
   );
   $category_array = get_posts($arguments);
   foreach($sample_array as $post) {
      echo " " . $post->post_title . "";
      echo "" . $post->post_date . "";
   }
?>

Custom taxonomies and post types can be queried similarly to categories.

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WordPress get_posts FAQ

To further assist you, here are some frequently asked questions about get_posts.

What’s the Difference Between get_posts and WP_query?

While both methods query posts, WP_query alters the WordPress loop, requiring a reset afterward. The get_posts function, however, resets the loop automatically, minimizing potential errors.

What Is the Difference Between the get_posts and get_pages Functions?

Unlike get_posts, get_pages directly queries the database without using the WP_query class. It lacks some parameters like meta key and value and is limited to pages and hierarchical post types.

Conclusion

The WordPress get_posts function is a versatile tool for retrieving posts, pages, and custom post types using specific parameters. It simplifies displaying posts based on various criteria, such as comment count, authorship, or custom taxonomies.

By leveraging the WP_query class, get_posts constructs efficient SQL queries to interact with the WordPress database and return post objects with relevant information.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, understanding and using the get_posts function can greatly enhance your WordPress site’s functionality and customization options.