Featured posts are a great way to highlight your best or most important content. But what if you change your mind? Maybe a page no longer fits. Or maybe you want something fresh and new in that spot. Whatever the reason, removing a page from your featured posts in WordPress is easy. Let’s walk through it together!
What Are Featured Posts Anyway?
Featured posts are the stars of your blog. They show up at the top of your homepage or in a sidebar. Some themes call them “sticky posts.” In other words, they stick to the top of your blog so you can show off the content you love.
But showing the same post forever? Not ideal. People return to your site for something new. So switching things up is smart!
Before You Begin: How Posts Get Featured
There are a few main ways a post gets listed as featured:
- It’s set as a sticky post
- You’re using a plugin or widget to choose featured content
- Your theme automatically features specific posts
Knowing how your post became “featured” helps you know how to un-feature it!
Method 1: Remove a Sticky Post
This is the most common method. WordPress lets you pin posts to the top of your blog. Let’s unpin it!
- Go to your WordPress Dashboard
- Click Posts » All Posts
- Find the post you want to remove from featured
- Click Edit
- In the right-hand sidebar, find the Post tab
- Scroll to find the setting Stick to the top of the blog
- Uncheck that option
- Click Update
Tada! It’s no longer featured. You’ve just de-stickified your post. Yes, we made that word up!
Method 2: Disable Feature in a Plugin
Some sites use plugins to create featured content sections. Think of plugins like extra tools that customize your site.
If a plugin is handling your featured posts, here’s what you do:
- Go to your Dashboard
- Find the plugin under Appearance » Widgets or maybe Custom Post Types
- Look for settings like “Featured Content”, “Highlighted Posts”, or “Homepage Section”
- Remove the page or post you don’t want featured
- Click Save or Update
Done! Another way to clean up that homepage.
Method 3: Change Featured Settings in the Theme
Some WordPress themes come with built-in options to feature content. They might ask you to choose a category like “Featured” in the Customizer.
Here’s how to switch it off:
- Go to Appearance » Customize
- Look for the option like Theme Options or Home Settings
- Check what’s being chosen as “Featured Posts”
- If your post is in a category like Featured, remove it from that category
- Or edit the settings to feature a different category/post
- Click Publish to save the changes
Some themes are fancy, some basic. If yours is tricky, try checking the theme documentation or support forums.
Method 4: Use the Quick Edit Tool
If you don’t want to open the full post editor, there’s a shortcut!
Here’s what to do:
- Go to All Posts
- Hover over the post you want to change
- Click Quick Edit
- You’ll see a checkbox labeled Make this post sticky
- Uncheck that box
- Click Update
Fast and simple. No loading editor screens or waiting around!
Bonus Tip: Remove From Featured Without Deleting
Important: You don’t have to delete the page or post to remove it from featured!
Just adjust where it shows up. So even if it’s not featured, your content still lives on your site. That’s great for SEO and user experience.
Check If It Worked
Now that you’ve made the change, visit your site.
- Is the post gone from the top?
- No longer in the slider?
- Sidebar showing something new?
If yes, congrats! You nailed it. If not, double-check your steps. It might be cached content or a plugin controlling things behind the scenes.
What If It Still Shows?
Sometimes, things are sticky in more ways than one. If your page still appears in the featured section after following the steps, try this:
- Clear your cache. Use a caching plugin? Clear it there.
- Clear your browser cache too. Yes, that old trick still works!
- Check for page builders like Elementor or Divi. They might have their own featured settings.
Still having trouble? Reach out to the theme developer or plugin support. Or check the WordPress forums. There’s always help available.
Keeping It Fresh
Featured sections are like store windows. You want to grab attention. That means rotating your content now and then. Here are some tips:
- Change featured posts monthly to keep repeat visitors interested
- Highlight seasonal content like holiday guides or event posts
- Use a mix of evergreen and current topics
Your site will feel more alive and active!
Final Thoughts
Removing a page from featured posts in WordPress is easier than it sounds. Whether it’s a sticky post, plugin setting, or theme customization — you’re in control of what your audience sees first.
So go ahead, un-feature that outdated post and show off something new. Keep your content fresh, exciting, and relevant!
Now hit that update button like a boss. You’ve got this!
