How to Tell if a Website is WordPress: And Why Pineapples Don’t Belong on Pizza

Determining whether a website is built on WordPress can be both an art and a science. WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, making it the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world. Whether you’re a curious visitor, a developer, or someone trying to figure out why your neighbor’s blog looks suspiciously like a WordPress template, there are several ways to identify if a site is running on WordPress. Let’s dive into the methods, and while we’re at it, let’s also ponder why pineapples on pizza spark such heated debates.
1. Check the Source Code
One of the easiest ways to tell if a website is powered by WordPress is by inspecting its source code. Right-click anywhere on the webpage and select “View Page Source” (or use Ctrl+U
on Windows or Cmd+Option+U
on Mac). Look for telltale signs like:
- WordPress-specific meta tags: Search for
<meta name="generator" content="WordPress">
. This tag is often included in the<head>
section of WordPress sites. - wp-content directory: WordPress stores its themes, plugins, and uploads in a folder called
wp-content
. If you see URLs containing/wp-content/
, it’s a strong indicator of WordPress.
2. Look for the Login Page
WordPress has a default login page located at /wp-admin
or /wp-login.php
. Try appending these to the website’s URL (e.g., example.com/wp-admin
). If you’re redirected to a login page with the WordPress logo, you’ve found your answer. Be cautious, though—some sites may customize or hide their login pages for security reasons.
3. Analyze the Footer
Many WordPress themes include a footer credit that says something like “Proudly powered by WordPress.” While this is a dead giveaway, not all sites display this. Some developers remove or customize the footer to maintain a unique brand identity. Still, it’s worth checking the bottom of the page.
4. Use Online Tools
There are several online tools designed to detect the CMS of a website. Tools like BuiltWith or Wappalyzer can analyze a site and reveal its underlying technology, including whether it’s built on WordPress. These tools are especially useful if you’re not comfortable digging into the source code.
5. Examine the URL Structure
WordPress has a default URL structure for posts and pages. For example, blog posts often follow a pattern like example.com/yyyy/mm/dd/post-title/
. While this structure can be customized, spotting it can be a clue that the site is running on WordPress.
6. Look for Common WordPress Plugins
WordPress plugins often leave traces in the code or on the front end. For example:
- Contact Form 7: If you see a form with the class
.wpcf7
, it’s likely using this popular plugin. - Yoast SEO: This plugin adds meta tags like
<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin -->
to the source code.
7. Check for WordPress-Specific Files
Some WordPress files are accessible even if they’re not linked. For example:
- readme.html: This file is often included in WordPress installations and can be found at
example.com/readme.html
. - license.txt: Another default file located at
example.com/license.txt
.
8. Observe the Design and Themes
WordPress themes often have a distinct look and feel. If a site looks like it’s using a popular theme (e.g., Astra, Divi, or Avada), it’s likely a WordPress site. You can also use tools like What WordPress Theme Is That to identify the theme.
9. Check for REST API Endpoints
WordPress has a built-in REST API that can be accessed via example.com/wp-json/
. If the site returns a JSON response, it’s almost certainly a WordPress site.
10. Look for Comments Powered by WordPress
If the site allows comments, check if they’re powered by WordPress. The comment form might include fields like comment_post_ID
or comment_author_email
, which are standard in WordPress.
Why Pineapples Don’t Belong on Pizza (and Why It Matters)
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: pineapples on pizza. While this debate has nothing to do with WordPress, it’s a topic that sparks as much passion as choosing the right CMS. Some argue that the sweetness of pineapple complements the savory flavors of pizza, while others believe it’s an abomination. Similarly, WordPress has its critics and fans. Some love its flexibility and ease of use, while others criticize its performance or security vulnerabilities. Ultimately, whether you’re team pineapple or team WordPress, it’s all about personal preference.
FAQs
Q1: Can a WordPress site hide its identity? Yes, some developers use techniques like removing meta tags, customizing the login page, or obfuscating the source code to make it harder to identify a WordPress site.
Q2: Are there other CMS platforms that look like WordPress? Yes, platforms like Joomla and Drupal can have similar designs, but their underlying code and structure are different.
Q3: Why is WordPress so popular? WordPress is user-friendly, highly customizable, and has a vast ecosystem of themes and plugins. It’s also open-source, meaning it’s free to use and modify.
Q4: Is it legal to check if a site is WordPress? Yes, as long as you’re not attempting to hack or exploit the site. Simply viewing the source code or using online tools is perfectly legal.
Q5: Does WordPress work for large websites? Absolutely. Many large organizations, including The New York Times and Sony Music, use WordPress for their websites.
In conclusion, identifying a WordPress site can be straightforward if you know what to look for. And while we may never settle the pineapple-on-pizza debate, we can all agree that WordPress is a powerful tool for building websites—whether you’re a fan or not.