Gravatar
Quick Definition
Gravatar (Globally Recognized Avatar) is a free service by Automattic that links your email address to a profile photo. WordPress uses it to display avatars next to comments and author bios.
What Is Gravatar?
Globally Recognized Avatar — free service by Automattic. Link email to photo, appears everywhere: WordPress comments, forums, GitHub. WordPress has it built in.
Settings: Settings → Discussion → Avatar Display, Maximum Rating, Default Avatar (Mystery Person, Identicon, etc.).
Setup: gravatar.com → sign up → upload photo → done.
Why It Matters
Adds personal touch to comments, builds credibility, encourages engagement. See our dashboard guide and blogging guide.
Related Terms
BlogA blog (short for "weblog") is a website or section of a website with articles displayed in reverse chronological order — newest first. WordPress was originally built as a blogging platform.PostA post is a piece of content in WordPress that appears in reverse chronological order — newest first. Posts are used for blog articles, news, tutorials, and any content that has a publish date.WordPressWordPress is a free, open-source content management system (CMS) that powers 42.4% of all websites on the internet. It lets you create and manage a website without writing code.
Related Articles
How to Make a WordPress Website (Complete Guide)The complete step-by-step guide to building your first WordPress website — from choosing a domain to going live.How to Make a WordPress Website (Complete Guide)The complete step-by-step guide to building your first WordPress website — from choosing a domain to going live.How to Start a Blog with WordPress (Complete 2026 Guide)Starting a blog has never been easier or more rewarding. I've launched over a dozen blogs since 2006, and I'll walk you through the exact 7-step process to go from zero to your first published post — plus how to get your first 1,000 visitors and actually make money from your blog.The WordPress Dashboard Explained — A Complete Beginner's TourJust logged into WordPress for the first time and feeling overwhelmed? I walk you through every menu, every screen, and every button in the WordPress dashboard so you know exactly where everything lives.How to Make a WordPress Website — Complete Beginner's Guide (2026)Learn how to build a WordPress website from scratch in 2026. I walk through every step with screenshots — hosting, setup, themes, plugins, and your first content.