How to Tell If Website Is WordPress- 15 Super Ways

Introduction

Imagine you’re walking into a bakery. Before even seeing the sign, you recognize the smell of fresh bread, the sound of a humming oven, and the neatly stacked pastries in the display. That’s because every bakery has telltale signs that give it away. Websites are no different. If you know what to look for, spotting a WordPress site becomes quite easy and possible.

WordPress powers over 43.6% of all websites on the internet (WPZOOM, 2025)—from personal blogs to major brands like The New York Times and TechCrunch. That means nearly 1 in 2 websites you visit could be running on WordPress. But how can you tell if a website is WordPress-based?

Whether you’re an SEO expert conducting a competitor analysis, a developer researching site structures, or just plain curious, knowing how to tell if website is WordPress is a valuable skill. Fortunately, WordPress leaves behind footprints—like secret handshakes in the coding world.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through some easiest and most reliable ways to detect a WordPress site, from checking the source code to using online tools. Let’s dive into clear, actionable steps to know if a website is WordPress. Let’s dive in.

How to tell if Website is WordPress-Based?

1. Check the Page Source for WordPress Directories

What & Why?

The page source of a website is like its DNA – it reveals the underlying structure and technology used to build it. WordPress websites have unique directories such as wp-content, wp-includes, and wp-admin. These folders are essential for WordPress to function and are almost always present in the source code with a few exceptions.

By identifying these directories, you can confidently determine if a site is powered by WordPress. This method works because these paths are hardcoded into WordPress core files and are less likely to be hidden unless the site owner takes advanced security measures.

How to Do It?

1. Right-click anywhere on the website.
2. Select “View Page Source” (or press Ctrl + U on Windows or Cmd + Option + U on Mac).
3. Press Ctrl + F (or Cmd + F on Mac) to open the search bar.
4. Search for the following keywords:
   • wp-content
   • wp-includes
   • wp-admin
5. If you find any of these terms in the source code, the site is almost certainly built with WordPress.

Insights

• Some websites may rename or hide wp-content for security reasons. If you don’t find it, try checking the /wp-json/ endpoint (https://yourwebsite.com/wp-json/) or other methods about how to tell if website is WordPress.
• Look for URLs like example.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image.jpg – these are clear indicators of WordPress.

Common Issues

• Not all websites with /wp-admin/ are WordPress-based. Some non-WordPress sites might mimic this structure for compatibility or security reasons.
• If the site uses a caching plugin, the source code might be minified, making it harder to spot WordPress directories.

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2. Look for “Powered by WordPress” in the Footer

What & Why?

WordPress themes might automatically add a “Powered by WordPress” credit in the footer. This is a quick and easy way to identify WordPress sites. While some site owners remove this credit, it’s still a common feature, especially on smaller or less customized websites.

This method works because WordPress is open-source software, and many theme developers include this credit as a way to acknowledge the platform.

How to Do It?

1. Scroll to the bottom of the website.
2. Look for text like:
   • “Powered by WordPress”
   • “Proudly powered by WordPress”
   • Theme credits like “Theme by XYZ”
3. If you find any of these, the site is built with WordPress.

Insights

• Some premium themes or custom-built sites remove this credit for branding purposes. If you don’t see it, don’t rule out WordPress just yet.
• Use browser extensions like Wappalyzer to automatically detect WordPress without manually checking the footer.

Common Issues

• Not all websites with a “Powered by WordPress” credit are using WordPress. Some non-WordPress sites might use this text as a placeholder or for SEO purposes.
• The footer might be hidden or require scrolling horizontally, especially on mobile-responsive sites.

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3. Check the Meta Generator Tag

What & Why?

WordPress automatically adds a <meta name=”generator” content=”WordPress”> tag in the <head> section of the source code. This tag explicitly states that the site is built with WordPress.

This method is reliable to see a website is WordPress because the meta generator tag is added by default, although some site owners might remove it for security or branding reasons.

How to Do It?

1. Right-click on the website and select “View Page Source”.
2. Press Ctrl + F (or Cmd + F on Mac) to open the search bar.
3. Search for the term “generator”.
4. If you find <meta name=”generator” content=”WordPress”>, the site is built with WordPress.

Insights

Some plugins or themes might override or remove the meta generator tag. If you don’t find it, try other methods discussed about how to tell if website is WordPress.

• Use browser extensions like BuiltWith to find out what the website is built with.

Common Issues

• Some non-WordPress platforms might use similar meta tags, so double-check with other methods.
• The meta generator tag might be missing if the site uses a custom theme or security plugin.

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4. Visit the WordPress Login Page

What & Why?

WordPress sites have a default login page located at /wp-admin/ or /wp-login.php. You can confirm if the site is built with WordPress by visiting these URLs.

This method works because the WordPress login page has a distinct design and structure that’s hard to replicate on non-WordPress platforms.

How to Do It?

1. Open the website in your browser.
2. Append /wp-admin/ or /wp-login.php to the end of the URL. For example:
   • example.com/wp-admin/
   • example.com/wp-login.php
3. If you see the WordPress login screen, the site is built with WordPress.

Insights

• Some sites hide or rename the login page for security reasons. If you don’t see the login screen, try another method like checking the /wp-json/ endpoint.

Common Issues

• Not all websites with /wp-admin/ are WordPress-based. Some non-WordPress sites might mimic this structure for compatibility or security reasons.
• The login page might be blocked by a firewall or IP restriction, making it inaccessible.

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5. Inspect the REST API Endpoint

What & Why?

WordPress has a built-in REST API that allows developers to interact with the site programmatically. The API endpoint is located at /wp-json/ or /wp-json/wp/v2/. If the site is built with WordPress, visiting this URL will return a JSON response.

This method is highly reliable and one of the great methods about how to tell if website is WordPress because the REST API is a core feature of WordPress and is less likely disabled or hidden.

How to Do It?

1. Open the website in your browser.
2. Append /wp-json/ or /wp-json/wp/v2/ to the end of the URL. For example:
3. example.com/wp-json/
4. example.com/wp-json/wp/v2/
5. If you see a JSON response with WordPress-related data, the site is built with WordPress.

Insights

• Some sites might disable the REST API for security reasons. If you don’t see a JSON response, try another method like checking the /xmlrpc.php file.
• Use tools like Postman to interact with the REST API and explore its endpoints.

Open Postman and enter the API URL, such as:

• https://example.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts

Set the request type to GET and click Send.

• If the API is enabled, you will receive a JSON response with blog posts.

Common Issues

• Some non-WordPress platforms might use similar API structures, so double-check with other methods.
• The REST API might return an error if the site is under maintenance or has restricted access.

6. Check for WordPress-Specific Cookies

What & Why?

WordPress sets specific cookies when users interact with the site, such as logging in or leaving comments. These cookies often include names like wp-settings-{user} or wordpress_logged_in_. By inspecting the cookies, you can confirm if the site is built with WordPress.

This method works because WordPress uses these cookies to manage user sessions and preferences, and they’re unique to the platform.

How to Do It?

1. Open the website in your browser.
2. Use Developer Tools (press F12 or right-click and select “Inspect”).
3. Go to the “Application” tab (in Chrome) or “Storage” tab (in Firefox).
4. Look for cookies with names like:
   • wp-settings-{user}
   • comment_author_{hash}
   • wordpress_logged_in_{hash}
   • wordpress_sec_{hash}
   • wp-settings-time-{user}
5. If you find these cookies, the site is built with WordPress.

Insights

• Some caching plugins or security measures might obscure cookie names, so this method isn’t foolproof.
• Use browser extensions like EditThisCookie to easily inspect and manage cookies.

Common Issues

• Not all WordPress sites set these cookies, especially if the site doesn’t allow user logins or comments.
• Some non-WordPress platforms might use similar cookie naming conventions, so double-check with other methods.

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7. Look for Emoji Scripts in the Source Code

What & Why?

WordPress automatically adds emoji support to websites, even if the site doesn’t use emojis. This results in a script called wp-emoji-release.min.js being added to the source code. Finding this script is a strong indicator that the site is built with WordPress.

This method works because the emoji script is a default WordPress feature and is less likely to be removed unless the site owner actively disables it.

How to Do It?

1. Right-click on the website and select “View Page Source”.
2. Press Ctrl + F (or Cmd + F on Mac) to open the search bar.
3. Search for the term “wp-emoji”.
4. If you find a script like wp-emoji-release.min.js, the site is built with WordPress.

Insights

• Some themes or plugins might remove the emoji script for performance reasons. If you don’t find it, try another method like checking the /wp-json/ endpoint.
• Use tools like GTmetrix or Pingdom to analyze the site’s scripts (json,etc) and identify some clues about WordPress-specific files.

Common Issues

• Not all WordPress sites include the emoji script, especially if the site owner has disabled it.
• Some non-WordPress platforms might use similar scripts, so double-check with other methods.

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8. Test the XML-RPC.php File

What & Why?

WordPress uses the xmlrpc.php file to enable remote connections to the site, such as posting from a mobile app or using third-party tools. Visiting this file will return a message like “XML-RPC server accepts POST requests only” if the site is built with WordPress.

This method works to know if a website is WordPress because the xmlrpc.php file is a core WordPress feature, although some site owners disable it for security reasons.

How to Do It?

1. Open the website in your browser.
2. Append /xmlrpc.php to the end of the URL. For example:
3. example.com/xmlrpc.php
4. If you see a message like “XML-RPC server accepts POST requests only,” the site is built with WordPress.

Insights

• Some security plugins or hosting providers might block access to xmlrpc.php. If you don’t see the message, try another method like checking the /wp-json/ endpoint.

Common Issues

• Security-conscious site owners or hosting providers may disable xmlrpc.php because it can be a common target for brute-force attacks and DDoS amplification attacks.
• Some non-WordPress platforms might use similar files, so double-check with other methods.

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9. Check for Author ID Exposure

What & Why?

WordPress assigns a unique ID to each user, often exposed in URLs when you append ?author=1 to the homepage. If the site redirects to a URL like /author/[username]/, it’s a strong indicator that the site is built with WordPress.

This method is one of our ways to tell if website is WordPress because WordPress uses author IDs to manage user profiles, and this feature is rarely disabled unless the site owner takes advanced security measures.

How to Do It?

To check if website is WordPress using this method:

1. Open the website in your browser.
2. Append ?author=1 to the end of the homepage URL. For example:
   • example.com/?author=1
3. If the URL redirects to something like /author/[username]/, the site is built with WordPress.

Common Issues

• Not all WordPress sites expose author IDs, especially if the site owner has disabled this feature.

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10. Inspect the Body Class in the Source Code

What & Why?

WordPress themes add specific classes to the <body> tag, such as .page-id-123 or .post-456. These classes are unique to WordPress and can help you confirm if the site is built with the platform.

This method works because WordPress uses these classes to apply specific styles or functionality to different pages and posts.

How to Do It?

To know if website is WordPress:

1. Right-click on the website and select “View Page Source”.
2. Search for the <body> tag.
3. Look for classes like:
   • .page-id-123
   • .post-456
   • .home or .blog
4. If you find these classes, the site is built with WordPress.

Insights

• Some themes might use custom class names, so this method isn’t foolproof.
• Use browser extensions like Web Developer.

Common Issues

• Not all WordPress themes add these classes, especially if the site uses a custom theme.
• Some non-WordPress platforms might use similar class naming conventions, so double-check with other methods.

11. Check for WordPress-Specific Media URLs

What & Why?

WordPress organizes uploaded media files (images, videos, etc.) in a specific folder structure under /wp-content/uploads/. These URLs often follow a pattern like /wp-content/uploads/YYYY/MM/, where YYYY is the year and MM is the month.

This method works to know if a website is WordPress because WordPress automatically organizes media files in this way, and these URLs are hardcoded into the platform.

How to Do It?

1. Open the website in your browser.
2. Right-click on any image or media file and select “Open Image in New Tab” or “Copy Image Address”.
3. Look at the URL of the image. If it contains /wp-content/uploads/ followed by a year and month (e.g., /wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image.jpg), the site is built with WordPress.

Insights

• Some plugins or custom code might change the default media folder structure. If you don’t find the pattern, try another method like checking the /wp-json/ endpoint.
• Tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider can help to crawl the site and get some clues from URLs.

Common Issues

• Not all WordPress sites use the default media folder structure, especially if the site owner has customized it.
• Some non-WordPress platforms might use similar folder structures, so continue with me to learn more methods about how to tell if website is WordPress.

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12. Monitor Network Requests for Admin-Ajax Calls

What & Why?

WordPress uses a file called admin-ajax.php to handle AJAX requests for plugins and themes. These requests are visible in the browser’s developer tools under the Network tab.

This method is great to see if a website is WordPress because admin-ajax.php is a core WordPress file, and its presence in network requests is a strong indicator of WordPress.

How to Do It?

1. Open the website in your browser.
2. Use Developer Tools (press F12 or right-click and select “Inspect”).
3. Go to the “Network” tab.
4. Reload the page or interact with the site (e.g., click a button or submit a form).
5. Look for requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. If you find them, the site is built with WordPress.

Insights

• Some caching plugins might minimize or obscure AJAX requests. If you don’t see admin-ajax.php, try another method like checking the /wp-json/ endpoint.
• Tools like Charles Proxy or Fiddler may help to monitor network traffic in more detail.

Common Issues

• Not all WordPress sites use admin-ajax.php, especially if the site doesn’t rely on AJAX functionality.
• Some non-WordPress platforms might use similar AJAX handling mechanisms, so double-check with our other methods of how to tell if website is WordPress.

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13. Check for Password-Protected Post Cookies

What & Why?

When a WordPress post or page is password-protected, the site sets a cookie named wp-postpass_ to manage access. This cookie is quite unique to WordPress and can help you confirm if the site is built with the platform.

This method is crucial because WordPress uses this cookie to handle password-protected content, and it’s hardcoded into the platform.

How to Do It?

1. Find a password-protected post or page on the website.
2. Enter a password (even an incorrect one).
3. Use Developer Tools (press F12 or right-click and select “Inspect”).
4. Go to the “Application” tab (in Chrome) or “Storage” tab (in Firefox).
5. Look for a cookie named wp-postpass_, etc. If you find it, the site is built with WordPress.

Insights

• Some security plugins might obscure or rename this cookie. If you don’t find it, try another method like checking the /wp-json/ endpoint.
• Use browser extensions like EditThisCookie to easily inspect and manage cookies.

Common Issues

• Not all WordPress sites use password-protected content, so this method might not always be applicable.
• Some non-WordPress platforms might use similar cookie naming conventions, so double-check with other methods

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14. Look for WordPress-Specific Error Pages

What & Why?

WordPress has default error pages (e.g., 404 Not Found) that can include phrases like “Oops! That page can’t be found.” These pages are quite unique to WordPress and can help you confirm if the site is built with the platform.

This method to good because WordPress uses these default error messages unless the site owner customizes them.

How to Do It?

1. Open the website in your browser.
2. Append a random string to the URL to trigger a 404 error. For example:
3. example.com/randomstring
4. Look for phrases like:
   • “Oops! That page can’t be found.”
   • “It looks like nothing was found at this location.”
   • “This page doesn’t seem to exist.”
   • “Try searching for what you need.”
5. If you see these messages, the site is built with WordPress.

Insights

• Some themes or plugins might customize the error page. If you don’t see the default messages, try another method like checking the /wp-json/ endpoint.
• Use tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider to crawl the site and analyze error pages.

Common Issues

• Not all WordPress sites use the default error messages, especially if the site owner has customized them.
• Some non-WordPress platforms might use similar error messages, so double-check with other methods about how to tell if website is WordPress.

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15. Check for WordPress-Specific Hosting Clues

What & Why?

Many WordPress sites are hosted on platforms specifically optimized for WordPress, such as WP Engine, Hostinger, Kinsta, or Flywheel. These hosting providers may leave clues in the server headers or DNS records. Some examples are:

This method works to tell if a website is WordPress because WordPress-specific hosts may add unique identifiers to their server configurations.

How to Do It?

1. Use a DNS lookup tool like Whois Lookup or DNS Checker to check the site’s DNS records.
2. Look for hosting providers, such as:
   • WP Engine
   • Hostinger
   • Kinsta
   • Flywheel
   • SiteGround
3. If the site is hosted on one of these platforms, it’s likely built with WordPress.

Insights

• Some hosting providers support multiple platforms, so this method isn’t foolproof.
• Use tools like SecurityHeaders.io to analyze server headers for WordPress-specific clues.

Common Issues

• Not all WordPress sites are hosted on WordPress-specific platforms, so this method might not always be applicable.
• Some non-WordPress platforms might use similar hosting providers, so double-check with other methods about how to tell if website is WordPress.

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Conclusion

Learning how to tell if website is WordPress is a useful skill that can save time and provide valuable insights. Whether you’re checking the source code, looking at file structures, or using online tools, WordPress leaves clear signs that make identification easy. Whether for development, competitor research, or simple curiosity, knowing these methods helps you better understand the websites you interact with every day.

Happy exploring!