Using WordPress ‘in_the_loop()’ PHP function

by

The in_the_loop() WordPress PHP function determines whether the caller is in the Loop.

Usage

if (in_the_loop()) {
  // Your custom code
}

Parameters

  • None

More information

See WordPress Developer Resources: in_the_loop()

Examples

Modify Single Post Entry Titles

This code enables you to modify the default output of your entry titles in the Loop.

function wpdocs_modify_single_post_entry_titles($title) {
  if (is_singular('post') && in_the_loop()) {
    // Modify $title
  }
  return $title;
}
add_filter('the_title', 'wpdocs_modify_single_post_entry_titles');

Display Custom Content for Single Post

This example displays custom content only for single posts in the Loop.

function wpdocs_custom_content_single_post($content) {
  if (is_singular('post') && in_the_loop()) {
    // Add custom content
    $content .= '<p>Custom content for single posts.</p>';
  }
  return $content;
}
add_filter('the_content', 'wpdocs_custom_content_single_post');

Add Post Views Counter

This code adds a post views counter to single posts in the Loop.

function wpdocs_post_views_counter($content) {
  if (is_singular('post') && in_the_loop()) {
    $post_views = get_post_meta(get_the_ID(), 'post_views', true);
    $content .= '<p>Post Views: ' . $post_views . '</p>';
  }
  return $content;
}
add_filter('the_content', 'wpdocs_post_views_counter');

Display Category Information

This example displays the current post’s category information in the Loop.

function wpdocs_display_category_information() {
  if (in_the_loop()) {
    $categories = get_the_category();
    if (!empty($categories)) {
      echo 'Categories: ';
      foreach ($categories as $category) {
        echo $category->name . ', ';
      }
    }
  }
}
add_action('loop_start', 'wpdocs_display_category_information');

Add Comment Count to Post Meta

This code adds the comment count to post meta information in the Loop.

function wpdocs_add_comment_count_to_post_meta($post_meta) {
  if (in_the_loop()) {
    $comment_count = get_comments_number();
    $post_meta .= ' | ' . $comment_count . ' comments';
  }
  return $post_meta;
}
add_filter('the_meta', 'wpdocs_add_comment_count_to_post_meta');