Are you worried that disabling Google AMP will make your website lose traffic? In this blog, we will provide you with a detailed guide to help you properly disable Google AMP in WordPress without losing traffic. Now, let’s check it out.
What is Google AMP?
Google AMP stands for Accelerated Mobile Pages. This tool plays an essential role in speeding up access for mobile devices. When users click on any website that supports Google AMP, they will get the results in a jiffy. AMP is also an open-source project that was originally backed by technology companies including Google and Twitter.
Should everybody disable Google AMP in WordPress?
That said, Google AMP is really valuable in boosting your site speed and improving the experience of your site’s visitors on mobile devices. Nevertheless, you need to determine whether it is suitable for you or not.
The answer depends on your purpose. If the majority of your site visitors are mobile users, you should keep using this tool to increase traffic.
In contrast, if you have used Google AMP and it has caused negative effects on your website, such as lower conversion rates, then disabling Google AMP is a great idea for you.
How to disable Google AMP in WordPress?
In order to disable Google AMP in WordPress, you can follow the steps below:
Step 1: Disable Google AMP in WordPress
Simply go to Plugins > Installed Plugins. Then, locate the AMP plugin and click on the “Deactivate” link displayed below the AMP plugin.
After the plugin is deactivated, click on the “Delete” link to remove it from WordPress. This also keeps your site clean.
Step 2: Set up redirects
You have just completed half of the process. Now, you need to redirect traffic from AMP pages to your non-AMP pages. If you don’t create a redirect, users who visit your pages labeled “AMP” from mobile devices will get a 404 error screen. For this reason, it’s time for you to set up a 301 redirect in WordPress.
Method 1: Using a plugin to create a redirect in WordPress
The plugin we would like to recommend is the Redirection plugin. It is one of the remarkable WordPress Redirect Plugins on the market. This tool helps you easily manage 301 redirects and keep track of 404 errors. In addition, it can help you reduce errors and improve your site ranking.
First of all, you need to install and activate the plugin. For more support, visit our detailed tutorial on how to install the WordPress plugin for beginners.
After activating the plugin, let’s navigate to the Tools > Redirection page.
Now, you need to enter the following code in the Source URL field
/(.*)\/amp
Then, add your website’s URL, similar to the URL below, in the Target URL field.
http://yourwebsite.com/$1
Remember to replace “yourwebsite” in our example with your own domain name.
In the “Group” section, you need to click on the drop-down menu and choose the “Redirections” option.
Finally, click on the “Add Redirect” button to finalize the process.
Now, whenever users visit an AMP page, they will be redirected to your actual web page.
Method 2: Manually set up redirects in .htaccess
Another way to create a redirect without installing any additional plugin is to use the .htaccess file on your WordPress hosting account.
First of all, in order to connect to your website, you can use an FTP client or File Manager in cPanel. After connecting, you have to find the .htaccess file in your website’s root folder and edit it.
You need to add the following code to the bottom of your .htaccess file.
// Redirect AMP to non-AMP
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} (.+)/amp(.*)$
RewriteRule ^ %1/ [R=301,L
Don’t forget to click on “Save Changes” to complete your redirect.
Final thoughts
We have provided a step-by-step guide to help you disable Google AMP in WordPress easily. If you run into any trouble during the process, don’t hesitate to tell us by leaving a comment below. We will support you as soon as possible.
Moreover, you can visit our Free WordPress themes where we offer a list of charming, responsive, modern designs for your website. They will give your website a new appearance and better performance.
