/ Plugin Category

/ Site Administration & Utilities

/ URL Redirects & 301 Management

/ Disable Author Archives

Disable Author Archives

By freemp

Site Administration & Utilities / URL Redirects & 301 Management

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Disable Author Archives Review - In-Depth Analysis

Disable Author Archives removes author archives and returns a 404 status code. It is a simple and lightweight plugin.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.97/10

User Rating

4.4/5 (based on 7+ reviews)

Active Installations

10,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

This plugin is designed to completely disable author archives and pages on your WordPress site. It ensures that even if an author exists, their archive page will return a 404 'Not Found' status code.

Once activated, the plugin requires no further configuration. It automatically disables or removes related links, ensuring a clean experience for your visitors.

Comparing to Alternatives

Disable Author Archives is a focused plugin with a clear purpose, and it has a couple of direct alternatives that offer similar functionality.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple and effective at disabling author archives
Lightweight with elegant, sleek code
Good communication from the developer
Works reliably as stated
No known security vulnerabilities

Weaknesses

Limited to disabling author archives only
No advanced customization options
No pro version with extended features
One reported case of site issues after activation

User Sentiment Analysis

The plugin enjoys a high rating with most users praising its simplicity and effectiveness, though there is a single negative review highlighting a significant issue.

Positive highlights

'Great plugin. It works as stated.' — alkerprivate
'Just like the title says!' — flwpfan
'Elegant, sleek code. The author archive is unnecessary for a single blog.' — schoefl
'Does the job. Thanks for sharing!' — dichternebel
'A simple and effective plugin. Excellent communication with the developer.' — net

Common complaints

Caused major site issues for one user with no clear recovery

Weaknesses

No advanced features beyond disabling author archives
Limited support for complex site setups
No pro version for additional functionality

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who want a straightforward, no-frills solution to disable author archives on their WordPress site without extra features or complexity.

Not ideal for

Users who need advanced customization, multi-author site support, or who are concerned about potential site conflicts should consider alternatives or proceed with caution.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version fully disables author archives with no limitations, providing good value for users needing this specific feature.

Final Verdict

Disable Author Archives is a reliable and simple plugin that effectively disables author archive pages, backed by positive user feedback and no known security issues. It is well-suited for users seeking a lightweight solution without extra features.

However, the plugin has limited functionality and one reported case of site disruption, so users should ensure compatibility with their setup and consider alternatives if they need more advanced options or multi-author support.