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A Detailed Guide On User Role Management in WordPress

If you're reading this content, then you must be familiar with the term WordPress. As you know WordPress is the most commonly used CMS system by users across the world. Here we give you full information related to user role management.


It comes with user-friendly and high-scalable tools as well as functionalities which enables users to build professional and good-looking websites via Scratch within few clicks.


Wordpress is highly versatile, it gives users complete power on their wordpress websites so that they can seamlessly build a website.


There are some most popular sites like CNN, New York Times as well as TechCrunch, which are powered on Wordpress. Most of the sites are news and technical content websites where tons of writers apply to be the contributor.


To be honest, it's not that simple to add features and maintain things individually on a WordPress website. In case, you are running a news portal website a multi-author blog, then you must be familiar with the basics and fundamentals of WordPress user roles. Also, how to manage them and how to add more capabilities to it.


WordPress User Roles and Capabilities


Every WordPress site has a section named " User role management" which is popularly called " WordPress User roles and capabilities'.


This user role defines the specific work that a WordPress user can perform and could not perform on a WordPress website.


Having a good understanding of these things is very important as this is very essential for the growth of a business. This is focused on two major concepts which are the capabilities and the user roles.


In this context, we have discussed each WordPress user roles, capabilities and permissions. also, we will teach you how to customize their capability.


Role: this represents the ability of more than one user who gets access to do the same work on a site.


Capability: Capability refers to the access or permission given to perform a specific task that is appointed to a specific role.


WordPress comes with around 6 user roles. Different user roles have their own permission and roles.


Following is the list of all 6 WordPress user roles:

  • Super Admin

  • Administrator

  • Editor

  • Author

  • Contributor

  • Subscriber

Here, we will discuss each WordPress user role in detail. Also, we will teach you what user permissions are given to each WordPress role.


1. Super Admin


Super Admin is one of the user roles that have the biggest level of permission or access and is accessible on a dual-site network. It may sound like an Administrator however it has high power as compared to normal Administrator


This can not just control or change a single site but even has the power to control who can have access to a particular website in a network.


This WordPress user role works specifically on a multisite network.


2. Administrator


The Administrator user role has a high controlling WordPress user role. users with this role have the ability to add new WordPress users to the site, modify existing user's details like their username and passwords and could also remove any administrators and users' accounts.


They even have access to edit any posts, add new posts written by any website user. They can also delete the posts of any users on the site.


They have the power to edit, delete and install themes and plugins.


3. Editor


Users with editor tole have entire control over the content selections.


They can edit, add, delete and publish any posts written by any user on the website.


The editor role has the ability to edit, moderate and remove any comments as well.


Also, they have the power to modify the site settings, install themes and plugins and add new users.


4. Author


Users with the Author role have the power to edit, publish and write their posts. this role is not as powerful as compared to other WordPress user roles. It comes with the limits of the permission to delete the posts.


Author role users do not get permission to make categories while writing the posts however they are permitted to select from existing categories.


They are also permitted to add tags to the posts.


Author role users are permitted to see a comment. they can amend, delete or approve these comments.


Wordpress users with author roles do not get the power to change plugins and themes and settings.


5. Contributor


Users with contributor roles get access to edit and add new posts, however, they are not banned to post any posts.


They are permitted to build new categories while writing content however they can select from the old categories.


Contributors are also permitted to add tags and edit them.


They are banned to upload files. means they are not allowed to add images files to their posts.


The contributors are permitted to see comments but are not supposed to edit, approve or delete them.


They do not get permission to access themes, plugins and WordPress settings.


6. Subscriber


Subscriber is one of the most useful WordPress user roles. if you want your users to log in first before getting access to your post, then it plays a very important role.


They get permission to log in to a site and make changes to their profiles.


The users with the role of a subscriber have permission to change their passwords.


Subscribers are not permitted to create posts, perform several tasks, view comments and make changes in the WordPress admin section.


How to Create New WordPress Custom User Roles?


Are you looking for ways How to create a new user role, then Capability manager enhanced plugin is there to perform the task.


Simply install and activate the plugin. Upon activation, navigate to the Users> Capabilities and then from there fill a name of a new user role and then press on the Create button.

And you’re done!


WordPress is the king of the CMS forest. The power and ease of use it offers are really incomparable. Furthermore, WordPress comes with fully customizable options which makes it easy for both experts and beginners to customize their website the way they want.


There is a boatload of WordPress plugins and themes available in the market which can help you take your website to a whole new level. Additionally, the user-friendliness and the user management system is a great thing worth showing.


I hope, this guide on WordPress user roles would help you understand WordPress user roles and about the access, they have been given

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