Rename the Uncategorized Category

When you install a fresh copy of WordPress, it comes with 1 default post, 1 default comment, and 1 default category. This category is named Uncategorized. Unlike the post and the comment this category cannot be deleted because it serves a very special purpose. That very special purpose is to show the carelessnes of an editor.

When an editor forgets to select a category which is a common mistake, WordPress automatically selects Uncategorized category for that article before it is published. So not only that it shows in the URL Structure, but it also adds a category among your other category.

Consider running a professional site and have an uncategorized category pop up due to a small human error. In our opinion, this causes a slight taint in reputation of the editor of the blog. Often times this happen due to an error, and some people take it as the editor was careless.

This also occurs if an editor saved the post without choosing a category. WordPress will then automatically select uncategorized category and later if the editor did not unselect this category, the post is published in two categories resulting your uncategorized category to show up.

Humans make mistake, but what can we do to resolve it. Sometimes first time users can get carried away and leave your website due to a small error. Therefore we propose a simple solution. That is to rename your category to Other.

Other sounds more professional then uncategorized, and it just shows the reader that the articles did not belong in any other category so it is in Other.

To rename the uncategorized category to other, head over to WordPress Admin Panel.

Click on the tab Posts > Categories

Bring your mouse over to Uncategorized and an Edit option will appear. Click edit and change your category name and slug to Other.

Hit Save and you are done.