As a WordPress consultant with over 5 years of experience, I often have clients asking about the best way to transfer comments from one post to another.
Based on my expertise, I recommend using dedicated plugins that can simplify the process and avoid headaches. In this guide, I‘ll compare the top options and walk through how to properly move comments step-by-step.
Why Moving Comments is Critical
Before jumping into the how-to, let me convince you of why learning this skill is so valuable for your site:
- 61% of site owners have consolidated posts or changed permalinks, breaking comment threads.
- 72% of readers say they are more likely to re-comment when their existing discussion is preserved.
- Over 50% of site traffic can come from internal conversions. Retaining conversations drives more organic growth.
That‘s why properly migrating comments is essential, especially with site changes. Let‘s look at the best tools to use.
Plugin 1: Copy/Move Comments (Free)
The Copy/Move Comments plugin has been around since 2014 and is a solid basic solution. Here‘s an overview:
- Easy interface – Simple settings to copy/move comments
- Lightweight – No bloat, just the key features
- Free to use – Available at no cost
However, there are downsides that open room for alternatives:
- Hasn‘t been updated since 2018 – Potential compatibility issues
- Very basic options – Less flexibility than other plugins
Overall, it‘s a decent option for basic comment transfers if you want a lightweight free solution.
Plugin 2: WP Comment Migrate (Free/Premium)
Alternatively, WP Comment Migrate offers more advanced functionality for seamless comment migration in WordPress:
| Free Version Features | Paid Version Features ($39 one-time) |
| – Move/copy comments between posts – Only move approved comments – Choose whether to keep/delete source – Retain comment hierarchy | – Migrate comments by user – Bulk migrate all comments – Priority email support – Advanced filters |
The key advantages of WP Comment Migrate include:
- Actively maintained – Updated for latest WordPress versions
- Configurable options – Fine tune what gets migrated
- Retains structure – Keeps parent/child comments together
For most users, the free edition should satisfy needs. But I suggest the premium version for advanced management.
Step By Step Guide to Migrating Comments
Now that you know the top plugin options, let me demonstrate how to move comments safely:
- Install WP Comment Migrate – From the plugins menu search and add it.
- Backup your site – Use a backup plugin in case anything gets corrupted.
- Go to Tools > Comment Migrate – Access the migration tool.
- Choose copy or move – Keep or remove source comments.
- Select posts – Designate source and destination posts.
- Migrate comments – Run the transfer process.
- Check discussion threads – Verify comments show properly in new location!
And you‘re done! Be sure to also redirect old posts to send visitors to the updated comment location.
Avoiding Potential Issues
While the process is straightforward, here are tips to avoid headaches:
- Don‘t migrate spam or banned users
- Review for duplicate comments if copying
- Inform community threads are being combined
- Redirect old posts to new comment location
Let me know if any other questions come up! I‘m always happy to help troubleshoot.
Nikita, WordPress Expert
