So, you've got a Shopify store, and you're pouring your heart and soul into creating blog content to engage your audience. But sometimes, there's a need to keep a particular post under wraps, maybe because it's not quite ready for prime time or it's time-sensitive. Whatever your reason might be, learning how to hide a blog post on Shopify is a handy skill.
In this article, we'll walk through the steps to do just that. We'll cover everything from using Shopify's built-in features to some creative workarounds. By the end, you'll have several methods at your disposal to manage your blog content visibility effectively.
Understanding Shopify's Blog Post Settings
Before we jump into hiding posts, let’s start with a little background. Shopify is a popular platform for ecommerce, and it offers a built-in blogging feature. This is great for keeping your customers engaged and boosting SEO. But what if you need to hide a post temporarily?
Shopify allows you to draft and publish blog posts, but it doesn't offer a direct "hide" button. This can be a little confusing, especially if you're used to other platforms that make it easy to toggle visibility. However, Shopify's simplicity can be a blessing in disguise. It forces us to get creative with how we manage our content.
Using the Draft Feature
One straightforward way to hide a blog post is by reverting it to a draft. This method is perfect if the post isn't finished or needs major editing. Here's how you do it:
- Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
- Navigate to Online Store > Blog Posts.
- Find the post you want to hide and click on its title to edit.
- On the right-hand side, you'll see a Visibility section. Change it from Visible to Hidden.
- Save your changes.
And voilà! Your blog post is now hidden from public view. Keep in mind that this method is more about unpublishing than hiding, but it gets the job done.
Adjusting the Publication Date
Another clever trick to hide a blog post is by manipulating its publication date. By setting the date to a future time, you can effectively "schedule" the post to appear later. Here's how:
- Go to the Online Store > Blog Posts section in your Shopify admin.
- Select the post you want to hide.
- In the Visibility section, change the publication date to a future date.
- Save your changes.
This approach is perfect for posts that you're planning to release later but accidentally published too soon. Just remember to reset the date when you're ready for it to go live.
Using Tags to Manage Visibility
Tags can be a great way to organize your blog content. But did you know they can also help control visibility? By applying a specific tag, you can create conditions in your theme's code to hide posts with that tag.
Here's a basic idea of how it works:
- Add a unique tag to the posts you want to hide, like
hidden. - Modify your theme's code to exclude posts with the
hiddentag from the blog listing.
To do this, you'll need to be comfortable editing your theme's Liquid code. It's always a good idea to back up your theme before making any changes.
{% for article in blog.articles %}
{% unless article.tags contains 'hidden' %}
{% endunless %}
{% endfor %}
This snippet checks each blog post for the hidden tag and excludes it from the display. It's a bit technical, but if you're up for it, this method offers a lot of control.
Customizing Your Theme's Code
Sometimes, the best way to hide a post is by diving into the theme's code. This method offers the most flexibility, albeit requiring some technical know-how. If you're comfortable with editing HTML and Liquid, you can create custom conditions to control visibility.
For instance, you might choose to hide posts based on specific criteria, like a tag or a custom field. Here's a basic example:
{% for article in blog.articles %}
{% if article.published_at < now %}
{% endif %}
{% endfor %}
This snippet checks if a post's publication date is in the past and only displays it if true. You can customize the condition to suit your needs, such as checking for a specific tag or author.
Creating a Private Blog
If you have a lot of posts you'd like to keep hidden, consider creating a private blog. This involves setting up a separate blog within Shopify and keeping it unpublished. Only those with the link can access it, making it perfect for internal use or private sharing.
Here's how you set it up:
- Create a new blog in Online Store > Blog Posts.
- Give it a name that reflects its private nature, like "Internal Only".
- Don't link it to your main navigation or any public-facing areas.
- Share the link only with those who need access.
This method keeps your public blog clean and organized while still allowing you to maintain a separate space for hidden content.
Using Apps for Advanced Features
Shopify's app ecosystem is vast, and there are several apps designed to enhance your store's blog capabilities. Some apps offer advanced features like password protection or custom content restrictions, which can be a lifesaver if you need more robust control over visibility.
Apps like Locksmith or Bold Memberships can offer more nuanced options for controlling who sees your posts. While these typically require a subscription, they might be worth the investment if you need advanced functionality.
- Locksmith: Provides robust access control features, allowing you to restrict content based on various rules.
- Bold Memberships: Offers membership-based content access, perfect for exclusive blog posts.
When choosing an app, consider your specific needs and budget. Many apps offer free trials, so take advantage of that to find the right fit.
Considering SEO Implications
While hiding a post might seem straightforward, it's worth considering the SEO implications. Search engines value fresh, relevant content, and an unpublished post won't contribute to your site's visibility. If SEO is a concern, think about how hiding posts fits into your broader strategy.
Consider using redirects if you're removing content that was previously live. A 301 redirect can guide visitors (and search engines) to relevant content, preserving some of the SEO value.
Redirect 301 /old-blog-post-url /new-destination-url
It's a small step, but it can help maintain your site's SEO health while managing hidden content effectively.
Balancing Privacy and Engagement
Ultimately, the decision to hide a blog post should balance privacy with engagement. Consider why you're hiding the post and how it fits into your overall content strategy. Is it a temporary move, or part of a larger plan to segment your audience?
Your blog is a powerful tool for connecting with your audience. Use it thoughtfully, and always weigh the pros and cons of hiding content. Sometimes, transparency and authenticity can be more valuable than keeping things under wraps.
Final Thoughts
Hiding a blog post on Shopify requires a bit of creativity, but with these strategies, you can manage your content effectively. Whether you're using drafts, publication dates, or custom code, there's a method that suits your needs.
That said, if you're looking for ways to drive more traffic to your Shopify store and turn that traffic into paying customers, I recommend reaching out to Pattern. As an SEO agency, we specialize in helping ecommerce brands and SaaS startups grow. We focus on results, not just rankings, by creating programmatic landing pages that attract ready-to-buy customers. And we don't believe in long waits for SEO results. Our approach views SEO as part of a broader growth strategy, ensuring every dollar delivers real ROI. Check out Pattern's services to see how we can turn SEO into a growth channel for your business.