Introduction : How to Export All WordPress URLs in Plain Text

In the dynamic world of WordPress website management, exporting all WordPress URLs in plain text can be an essential task for webmasters, developers, and SEO professionals. Whether you need to perform an SEO audit, migrate your website, check for broken links, or organize content, extracting URLs efficiently is crucial. Please read the full article about How to Export All WordPress URLs in Plain Text

In this detailed guide, we will explore multiple methods to export all WordPress URLs in plain text. From using plugins to running SQL queries and executing WP-CLI commands, we will cover step-by-step instructions, best practices, troubleshooting tips, and advanced optimization techniques.

Why Export WordPress URLs in Plain Text?

  • SEO Audits: Helps in analyzing indexed pages and identifying errors.
  • Website Migration: Ensures seamless URL redirections and structure maintenance.
  • Broken Link Checks: Quickly spot and fix broken links.
  • Content Organization: Helps in tracking published pages and posts.

Now, let’s dive into the methods to export all WordPress URLs in plain text.

Method 1: How to Export All WordPress URLs in Plain Text Using Plugins

Recommended Plugins:

  • Export All URLs
  • Yoast SEO XML Sitemap
  • Better Search Replace

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Install and Activate the Plugin:
    • Navigate to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
    • Search for “Export All URLs” and click Install Now.
    • Activate the plugin.
  2. Exporting URLs:
    • Go to Tools > Export All URLs.
    • Choose post types (posts, pages, custom post types).
    • Select Export as Plain Text.
    • Click Download.

Pros & Cons

✅ Easy to use ✅ No coding required ❌ Plugin compatibility issues ❌ Might not work well with very large sites

Method 2: How to Export All WordPress URLs in Plain Text Using SQL Queries

Prerequisites:

  • Access to phpMyAdmin or a database management tool.
  • Basic knowledge of SQL commands.

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Log into phpMyAdmin.
  2. Select Your WordPress Database.
  3. Run the Following Query:SELECT post_title, post_name, guid FROM wp_posts WHERE post_status = 'publish';
  4. Export as Plain Text:
    • Click Export > Custom > Format: Plain Text.
    • Download the exported file.

Pros & Cons

✅ Efficient for large databases ✅ No need for plugins ❌ Requires database access ❌ Risk of errors if queries are incorrect

Method 3: How to Export All WordPress URLs in Plain Text Using WP-CLI

Prerequisites:

  • SSH access to your WordPress server.
  • WP-CLI installed.

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Connect to Your Server via SSH:ssh user@yourserver.com
  2. Run the WP-CLI Command:wp post list --post_status=publish --post_type=post,page --fields=guid > urls.txt
  3. Download the urls.txt file to your local system.

Pros & Cons

✅ Fast execution ✅ Ideal for large WordPress sites ❌ Requires SSH access ❌ Not beginner-friendly

Method 4: How to Export All WordPress URLs in Plain Text from XML Sitemap

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Locate Your XML Sitemap:
  2. Extract URLs Using a Simple Script:curl -s https://yoursite.com/sitemap.xml | grep -oP '(?<=<loc>).*?(?=</loc>)' > urls.txt
  3. Download urls.txt and use it as needed.

Pros & Cons

✅ Simple and effective ✅ No need for database access ❌ Sitemap plugins must be enabled

Method 5: How to Export All WordPress URLs in Plain Text Using a Custom PHP Script

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Create a PHP File:<?php require('wp-load.php'); $query = new WP_Query(['post_type' => 'any', 'posts_per_page' => -1]); header("Content-Type: text/plain"); while ($query->have_posts()) { $query->the_post(); echo get_permalink() . "\n"; } wp_reset_postdata(); ?>
  2. Upload and Run the Script:
    • Save the file as export-urls.php.
    • Upload it to your WordPress root directory.
    • Visit https://yoursite.com/export-urls.php to generate the list.

Pros & Cons

✅ Fully customizable ✅ Works for any post type ❌ Requires PHP file upload access

Advanced Tips & Best Practices

  • Optimize URLs for SEO: Ensure URLs follow SEO-friendly structures.
  • Automate the Process: Schedule regular exports using cron jobs.
  • Handle Large Websites Efficiently: Break down exports into batches.
  • Avoid Duplicates: Use unique constraints in SQL queries.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to back up the database before running queries.
  • Not checking for plugin conflicts.
  • Ignoring security measures while using custom scripts.

FAQs

  1. Can I export URLs without a plugin? Yes, use SQL queries, WP-CLI, or a PHP script.
  2. What’s the easiest method for beginners? Using a plugin like “Export All URLs.”
  3. How can I automate URL exports? Use WP-CLI in a cron job.
  4. Will this work for WooCommerce products? Yes, select product post type.
  5. How do I avoid duplicates? Use DISTINCT in SQL queries.
  6. Can I extract URLs only for published posts? Yes, modify the SQL or WP-CLI query.
  7. Do I need admin access? Yes, especially for database queries and WP-CLI.
  8. How can I convert XML sitemap URLs to plain text? Use the curl command.

Conclusion

Exporting all WordPress URLs in plain text is a valuable task for SEO, website management, and development. Depending on your technical skills and requirements, you can choose from plugins, SQL queries, WP-CLI commands, XML sitemap extraction, or PHP scripts. Each method has its pros and cons, so pick the one that best suits your needs.

For further learning, check out the WordPress Codex. If you found this guide helpful, share it with others and subscribe for more WordPress tips!