How To Remove Woocommerce Review Date

How to Remove WooCommerce Review Date: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction:

WooCommerce product reviews are invaluable for building trust and driving sales. They offer social proof, helping potential customers make informed purchasing decisions. However, there might be instances where you want to remove the date from WooCommerce reviews. Perhaps you want to declutter the review section, present a more timeless look, or avoid showcasing how old reviews are. This article will guide you through different methods on how to remove the WooCommerce review date, catering to various skill levels, from using simple CSS to leveraging more advanced PHP customization. Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Reasons for Removing the Review Date

Before we begin, let’s briefly touch upon why someone might want to remove the date from their WooCommerce reviews:

• Focus on Content: By removing the date, the focus shifts solely to the content of the review itself, emphasizing the customer’s feedback.
• Timeless Presentation: Older reviews can sometimes deter potential customers, even if the product’s quality remains consistent. Removing the date can help present a more timeless image.
• Simplified Design: In some cases, the date format might not align with the overall website design. Removing it can contribute to a cleaner, more streamlined aesthetic.
• Irrelevant Information: For products where the review date is deemed irrelevant (e.g., evergreen products with consistent quality), it might be best to remove it.

Methods for Removing the WooCommerce Review Date

There are several ways to achieve this, ranging from simple CSS solutions to more advanced PHP modifications. Choose the method that best suits your comfort level and technical expertise.

1. Using CSS to Hide the Review Date

This is the simplest method and requires no code editing. It involves using CSS to hide the date element within the review section.

Steps:

1. Identify the CSS Class: Inspect the review section on your product page using your browser’s developer tools (right-click and select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element”). Look for the CSS class associated with the date element within the review. Common classes include `.comment-metadata` or `.comment-date`.

2. Add Custom CSS: Add the following CSS code to your theme’s `style.css` file or, preferably, through the WordPress Customizer (Appearance -> Customize -> Additional CSS). Replace `YOUR_CSS_CLASS` with the actual CSS class you identified in step 1.

.YOUR_CSS_CLASS {

display: none;

}

For example, if the date is within `.comment-metadata`, the code Explore this article on How To Add Payment Method To Woocommerce would be:

.comment-metadata {

display: none;

}

3. Save Changes: Save your changes and refresh the product page to see the date disappear from the reviews.

Pros:

• Easy to Implement: Requires no code editing.
• Quick Solution: Changes take effect immediately.

Cons:

• Hides, Doesn’t Remove: The date element is Check out this post: How To Connect Ups To Woocommerce still present in the HTML source code, just hidden from view.
• Limited Customization: Only allows you to hide the element entirely.

2. Using PHP to Remove the Review Date

This method involves modifying the WooCommerce template files directly using PHP. It’s a more permanent and robust solution.

Steps:

1. Child Theme: Crucially, create a child theme before making any changes to your theme’s files. This ensures that your modifications won’t be overwritten when your main theme is updated.

2. Locate the Template File: The template file responsible for displaying the reviews is usually located in `woocommerce/templates/single-product/review.php`. You can find the exact location within your theme’s `woocommerce` folder (or in the main WooCommerce plugin folder if your theme hasn’t overridden the template).

3. Copy the Template File: Copy the `review.php` file from the WooCommerce plugin directory (or your parent theme’s `woocommerce` directory) into your child theme’s `woocommerce/single-product/` directory. If the folders don’t exist, create them. The file path in your child theme should mirror the original path.

4. Edit the Template File: Open the `review.php` file in your child theme and look for the code that outputs the date. It typically looks something like this:

 comment_ID ); ?> 

To remove the date, simply delete or comment out this line:

 comment_ID ); ?> 

5. Save Changes: Save the modified `review.php` file in your child theme.

Pros:

• Permanent Solution: The date is completely removed from the HTML source code.
• More Control: Allows for more advanced customization of the review section.

Cons:

• Requires Code Editing: Involves editing PHP code, which can be daunting for beginners.
• Child Theme Required: Necessary to prevent modifications from being overwritten during theme updates.
• Template Updates: You will be responsible for keeping the template file in your child theme up-to-date with changes in the WooCommerce core template.

3. Using a Code Snippet (Recommended)

Using a code snippet via the `functions.php` file in your child theme or a code snippet plugin is generally preferred over directly editing template files as it reduces the risk of template update conflicts and offers a more maintainable solution.

Steps:

1. Child Theme or Code Snippet Plugin: Ensure you’re using a child theme or have a code snippet plugin installed and activated. It’s crucial to never directly edit your theme’s `functions.php` file.

2. Add the Code Snippet: Add the following code snippet to your `functions.php` file (within your child theme) or through your code snippet plugin:

 <?php /** 
Remove WooCommerce review date.
 */ function kia_remove_review_date( $comment_date ) { return ''; } add_filter( 'woocommerce_comment_date', 'kia_remove_review_date', 10, 2 ); ?> 

3. Save Changes: Save the `functions.php` file or activate the code snippet. The review date should now be removed.

Pros:

• More Flexible: Easily enabled and disabled.
• No Template Editing: Avoids the need to directly modify template files, reducing the risk of future conflicts.
• Maintainable: Code is in one place, easier to manage.

Cons:

• Requires a Child Theme/Plugin: Necessary to prevent modifications from being overwritten during theme updates.
• PHP Knowledge: Still involves understanding the basics of PHP filters.