Gravatar is an online service that lets you set up a custom avatar you can use every time you register for a Gravatar-enabled website. It also gives you an opportunity to stand out from the crowd when you want to comment on a WordPress blog post. There are many other benefits of using Gravatar for regular users, bloggers, and online businesses.
How is a Gravatar Typically Used?
Gravatar stands for “globally recognized avatar.” Simply put, Gravatar is a website that lets users create their avatars, which can be used across a variety of websites. After it was created, Gravatar was integrated into WordPress, so you’ll see many Gravatar users on WordPress websites.
When you make a Gravatar account, your unique avatar will be linked to your email address. So, every time you comment on a WordPress web page using your email, your Gravatar will be automatically used as your profile picture. Your Gravatar will follow you around different WordPress pages and websites, as it will be immediately recognized every time you sign up for an account with your email address. A Gravatar can be an avatar, a regular photo of you or something else, or a logo.
Keep in mind that in most cases, you aren’t required to register on a blog if you want to comment. Your profile picture will most likely be a generic gray icon. This is where Gravatar comes in. Whenever you post a comment on a WordPress website that you’re registered on, Gravatar automatically adds your unique avatar as your profile picture, giving you an online identity.
Benefits of Having a Gravatar
There are several advantages to having a Gravatar. The most important one is that it saves you a lot of time from having to add a new profile picture to every account you make.
If you’re reading a blog post and scroll down to see the comments, there will be users with and without profile pictures. People tend to trust users with profile pictures and usernames more than those who just have the generic “Mystery Person” profile pictures and automated usernames with a series of numbers. Simply put, having a Gravatar allows you to stand out from the crowd and makes you more trustworthy.
Gravatar isn’t only a popular platform for individuals, but businesses as well. Businesses can use a logo as their Gravatar, making them easier to remember. Not only can a Gravatar help a business establish a connection with its target audience, but it can also increase brand awareness.
Website owners can also benefit from Gravatar. By enabling Gravatar on their website, they can see who leaves comments on their posts or interacts with the website in another way. If you use WordPress to make your website, you can enable Gravatar and allow your visitors to use it.
Not only is Gravatar completely free and easy to set up, but it’s also easy to use. To be more specific, you don’t need to do anything to use it. Once you create your Gravatar, it will be automatically added to every website you interact with.
How to Create a Gravatar Account
To sign up for Gravatar, you only need your email address, username, and password. You can also sign up for a Gravatar account using your WordPress account. No matter your choice, you’ll have to give Gravatar permission to use data from your WordPress account. Creating a Gravatar account is completely free, and it will only take you a few minutes.
This is what you need to do to create your Gravatar:
- Sign in to your Gravatar account.
- Go to “My Gravatars” in the top-left corner of the screen.
- Click on the “Add a New Image” button.
- Upload a photo from your computer.
Note: The image for your Gravatar must be 80 x 80 pixels. If you choose a larger image, you will have to crop it.
- Choose the rating for your photo (G, PG, R, or X). It’s best to choose G (general audience) because it means that your Gravatar is appropriate for all audiences and websites.
- Select a personality (e.g., Mystery Person, Blank, Gravatar Logo, Monster ID, etc.).
- Complete the “About Me” section.
- Add the email address you want your Gravatar to be associated with.
You won’t need to take any additional steps to save the changes you made. All the WordPress websites you use or interact with will be automatically updated, and you’ll see your new Gravatar instead of a generic profile photo.
When it comes to using your Gravatar, there isn’t anything you need to do. The next time you create an account using your email address or make a comment on someone’s WordPress blog post, your Gravatar will be there.
There are only two requirements for your Gravatar to be integrated into a new web page. Firstly, you will need to use the same email that’s associated with your Gravatar account. Secondly, the website or service you want to use or interact with must support Gravatar.
If you noticed that your Gravatar didn’t show up when you commented on a WordPress blog post, check if you’re using the same email address for your Gravatar and WordPress accounts. If you registered for a Gravatar account with a different email address, don’t worry. It’s possible to use the same Gravatar for multiple email addresses.
When setting up your Gravatar profile, you have the option to add some personal information. For example, you can add your location and description apart from your display name. However, since other users will only be able to see your Gravatar and your display name, you don’t have to add this information if you don’t want to.
How to Enable Gravatar on Your WordPress Website
If you used WordPress to build your website and you want to allow others to use Gravatar, this is what you need to do to enable it:
- Visit WordPress and sign in to your account as the administrator.
- Navigate to the “Settings” tab on the left sidebar.
- Proceed to “Discussion.”
- Go down to “Avatars.”
- Check “Show Avatars” next to the “Avatar Display” section.
- Choose the maximum rating you will allow on your website.
- Check “Gravatar Logo” next to “Default Avatar.”
- Select the “Save Changes” button.
That’s all there is to it. Now the people who interact with your website can use their Gravatars. Be careful about the maximum rating field. It’s best to choose the G rating to avoid inappropriate comments or something similar on your website. Regarding the default avatar section, this only applies to users who don’t have a Gravatar account.
Take Advantage of Gravatar
Gravatar is a useful tool that lets you create a unique avatar that you’ll be able to use across various websites. It’s easy to set up and use, and it’s completely free. Every time you register for a website or comment on a post, your Gravatar will follow you.
Do you have a Gravatar account? On which websites does your Gravatar appear? Let us know in the comments section below.
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