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Disable Embeds

By Pascal Birchler

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 Embeds Review - In-Depth Analysis

Easily disable the enhanced embeds feature in WordPress. Prevent others from embedding your site and disable JavaScript related to embeds.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.95/10

User Rating

4.3/5 (based on 20+ 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 allows you to disable the enhanced embeds feature introduced in WordPress 4.4. It prevents others from embedding your site and also prevents you from embedding non-whitelisted sites.

By activating this plugin, all JavaScript related to the embedding feature is disabled, and support for the WordPress embed block in the new block editor is removed.

If you ever want to re-enable embeds, simply deactivate the plugin.

Comparing to Alternatives

Disable Embeds stands alone in its category with no close direct alternatives available, making it a unique choice for users needing this specific functionality.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Effectively disables WordPress automatic embeds to reduce content clutter.
Removes associated JavaScript bloat, improving site performance.
Simple to use with a set-and-forget approach.
Reversible by deactivating the plugin, allowing flexibility.
Has a low security risk with no known vulnerabilities.

Weaknesses

Does not work properly on WordPress versions after 4.4 according to some users.
Limited updates or support for newer WordPress versions.
No premium or extended features available.
Lacks direct alternatives for comparison or switching.

User Sentiment Analysis

With an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 and 80% of users giving 5 stars, the plugin is generally well-received for its simplicity and effectiveness. However, 15% of users gave it 1 star due to compatibility issues with newer WordPress versions.

Positive highlights

'Simple and very useful!' - thdnunes
'Does exactly what need' - Sergei Predvoditelev
'Does what it says, has been reliable' - Demetris Kikizas
'Just what I needed' - Jules Colle
'Simple Solution to WordPress Embed Bloat' - TraceMyIP

Common complaints

Doesn’t work after WordPress 4.4, making it ineffective for users on newer versions.

Weaknesses

Compatibility issues with WordPress versions beyond 4.4.
Limited ongoing support or updates.
No advanced features or customization options.
No paid version to offer enhanced functionality.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users running WordPress versions up to 4.4 who want a lightweight, no-fuss solution to disable embeds and reduce site bloat.

Not ideal for

Users on WordPress versions newer than 4.4 or those seeking advanced embed control features or ongoing plugin support.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides full functionality to disable embeds and remove related JavaScript, offering a simple and effective solution without cost.

Final Verdict

Disable Embeds is a straightforward and effective plugin for disabling WordPress embeds, praised for its simplicity and reliability by most users. Its lack of known security vulnerabilities and minimal resource usage make it a solid choice for those on compatible WordPress versions.

However, its incompatibility with WordPress versions after 4.4 and absence of a pro version or advanced features limit its appeal. Users on newer WordPress installations or needing more control may need to look elsewhere, but for basic embed disabling, it remains a valuable tool.