🗑️ How to Bulk Delete Posts in WordPress
Managing content efficiently is essential for maintaining a clean and well-organised website. If you have many outdated, demo, or irrelevant posts cluttering your WordPress site, bulk deleting them is the fastest solution. This guide explains how to delete multiple posts at once using built-in WordPress tools and advanced options.
✅ Method 1: Bulk Delete from the WordPress Dashboard
This is the most straightforward method for most users.
Step 1: Log in to Your Dashboard
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Go to your login page (usually yourdomain.com/wp-admin)
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Enter your username and password
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Click Log In
Step 2: Go to All Posts
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From the dashboard, click Posts
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Then click All Posts
Step 3: Select Posts to Delete
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Use the checkboxes next to each post title to select the posts you want to delete
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You can select all visible posts by checking the top checkbox in the table header
Step 4: Use the Bulk Actions Menu
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Above the list of posts, find the Bulk Actions dropdown
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Select Move to Trash
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Click Apply
Step 5: Empty the Trash (Optional)
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Click on the Trash tab to view deleted posts
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Select Empty Trash to permanently delete all of them
🔁 Method 2: Filter Posts Before Bulk Deleting
To narrow down your selection:
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Use the date dropdown to filter posts by month
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Use the category filter to target specific topics
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Apply filters, then follow the same bulk delete process
🧹 Method 3: Use a Plugin for Advanced Deletion
If you need more control, such as deleting posts by author, keyword, or custom post type, use a plugin like Bulk Delete or WP Bulk Delete.
Steps
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Install and activate the plugin from Plugins then Add New
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Configure deletion filters such as post status, category, tags, or date range
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Run the deletion task
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Review the results in your post list
Note: Some plugins allow scheduled or automated deletion tasks. Always back up your site before using these tools.
🧰 Method 4: Use WP-CLI (For Developers and Power Users)
If you have SSH access and WP-CLI installed:
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Log into your server via SSH
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Use the following command:
This command deletes all posts. You can customise it by adding filters such as post status or category.
🔎 Additional Tips
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Review your Trash folder before emptying it
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Use a staging site to test bulk deletions before applying them on a live site
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Always back up your database before performing large-scale content changes
✅ Conclusion
Bulk deleting posts in WordPress is a simple and powerful way to clean up your content, especially when managing legacy content, demo content, or test posts. Whether you use the built-in dashboard tools, a plugin, or WP-CLI, you can quickly regain control over your post library.
