What is Jetpack?


Jetpack is a plugin from the makers of WordPress which adds some interesting additional functionality to your site.


We're going to show you how to set it up and include 3 features we like. These are:


  • Related Posts - This adds similar posts to the one you are currently reading, encouraging visitors to further explore. See why.
  • Social icons - This adds social buttons to posts (and pages if you wish), encouraging visitors to share your content.
  • Tiled Galleries - Our demo posts include a beautiful example of this in action.

 

Of course, Jetpack includes many more options. We encourage you to explore what's possible within Jetpack > Settings.




1. Install Jetpack


First install the Jetpack plugin. Go to Plugins > Add New - Search for Jetpack and install it.







2. Connect to WordPress.com


You'll need to create a free account with WordPress.com to use Jetpack. Or, if you have one already, just login at the bottom of the page.





Once connected, you can choose the free plan.







3. Enable the modules



Once we're connected, we can enable and disable some Jetpack modules.


Go to Jetpack > Settings - look for 'Related Posts' and click the 'Activate' link when you hover over it.




Do the same for 'Sharing' and 'Tiled Galleries'





4. Disable some modules



If you're using Jetpack you should deactivate any features you are not using. Having too many active can slow down your WordPress instance. 



5. Setup: Enable Sharing



Go to Settings > Sharing


Drag any sharing services you would like to use into the 'Enabled Services' row.


I've also chosen 'Icon only' within the Button style option and am showing the sharing buttons on posts only.








6. Setup: Related Posts



We need to activate the related posts. So go to Settings > Reading


Tick the first two checkboxes as seen in the screenshot below. You will need to have a number of blog posts on your site within the same category for these related posts to begin appearing.


More information on this module is available here:

https://jetpack.com/support/related-posts/


Customization documentation concerning this module is available here:

https://jetpack.com/support/related-posts/customize-related-posts/