Performing a search and replace operation in WordPress allows you to update multiple instances of text or phrases across your website’s database. This is useful when:

• Updating URLs after moving to a new domain or switching to HTTPS
• Fixing broken links by replacing outdated URLs
• Optimizing SEO by updating meta titles, descriptions, and keywords
• Making bulk content updates like changing product names or prices

Here are five methods to perform search and replace in WordPress:

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1. Using WP-CLI

WP-CLI is a command-line tool that offers flexibility and speed for developers and those comfortable with the command line.

Pros	Cons
Fast and efficient	Requires command-line knowledge
Flexible query syntax	Not suitable for complex operations
Suitable for large databases	May require additional setup

2. Using a Plugin

Plugins like Better Search Replace provide a user-friendly interface for search and replace operations, suitable for non-technical users.

Pros	Cons
Easy to use	May not work well with large databases
Fast	May require some setup
Offers extra options like dry runs	Not as flexible as other methods
	Not ideal for complex operations

3. Using phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin is a popular database management tool that allows for manual queries, suitable for those familiar with SQL and database management.

Pros	Cons
Direct access to database	Requires technical knowledge
Fast and efficient	Risk of data corruption if not careful
Flexible query syntax	Not ideal for large databases
	Not suitable for complex operations

4. Using the interconnect/it Script

The interconnect/it Search Replace DB PHP script provides a simple and efficient way to search and replace data, suitable for those who prefer a script-based approach.

Pros	Cons
Actively maintained	Insecure if not used properly
Can catch things other methods miss	Requires technical knowledge and caution
Fast and efficient	Not ideal for large databases or complex operations
	Must be deleted after use for security

5. Using the MyKinsta Tool

The MyKinsta search and replace tool is a convenient option for Kinsta customers, offering a user-friendly interface and automatic database backups.

Pros	Cons
Easy to use	Only available to Kinsta customers
Automatically backs up your database	Limited to simple string replacements
Can automatically clear your site’s cache	May not work for complex database operations
Fast and efficient

When choosing a method, consider the complexity of your search and replace operation, your technical expertise, and the size of your database. It’s essential to backup your database before making any changes to ensure data integrity.

Method 1: Using WP-CLI

Setting Up WP-CLI

To use WP-CLI, you need to install it on your server. Run this command:

curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wp-cli/builds/gh-pages/phar/wp-cli.phar

After installing, verify it by running wp --info. This shows details about your WordPress installation.

Test Run

Before making changes, do a "dry run" to preview them without applying them:

wp search-replace 'old-domain' 'new-domain' --dry-run

This shows a list of changes that would be made.

Running Search and Replace

Once you’re ready, run the actual search and replace command:

wp search-replace 'old-domain' 'new-domain'

This updates all instances of old-domain to new-domain in your WordPress database.

Multisite Networks

For a WordPress Multisite installation, use the --network flag to update all sites:

wp search-replace 'old-domain' 'new-domain' --network

This updates old-domain to new-domain across all sites in the network.

Troubleshooting

If you have issues with serialized data or image paths not updating correctly, use the --precise flag:

wp search-replace 'old-domain' 'new-domain' --precise

This forces the use of PHP (instead of SQL) for the search and replace operation, updating serialized data and image paths.

Method 2: Using a Plugin

Installing a Search and Replace Plugin

Using a plugin is a straightforward way to perform search and replace operations in WordPress. Here’s how to install one:

1. Log into your WordPress admin area.
2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for a search and replace plugin like "Better Search Replace."
4. Click Install Now, then Activate.

Configuring the Plugin

Once installed, you’ll need to configure the plugin:

1. Go to Tools > Better Search Replace.
2. Enter the text you want to replace in the "Search for" field.
3. Enter the new text in the "Replace with" field.
4. Select the tables you want to update from the dropdown.
5. Choose any other options you need, like case sensitivity.

Running the Search and Replace

Before running the operation, create a database backup in case anything goes wrong. When ready, click Run Search/Replace to update your selected tables.

Pros and Cons

Here’s a quick overview of using a plugin for search and replace:

Pros	Cons
Easy to use	May not work well with large databases
Fast	May require some setup
Offers extra options like dry runs	Not as flexible as other methods
	Not ideal for complex operations

Method 3: Using phpMyAdmin

Accessing phpMyAdmin

To access phpMyAdmin, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel).
2. Go to the Databases section.
3. Click on phpMyAdmin.
4. Select the database you want to modify from the left-hand menu.

Writing the Query

Craft a MySQL query with the correct syntax to perform the search and replace operation. For example:

UPDATE wp_posts SET post_content = REPLACE(post_content, 'old-text', 'new-text');

Replace:

• wp_posts with the table name
• post_content with the field name
• old-text with the text to search for
• new-text with the replacement text

Running the Query

Before running the query, create a database backup in case something goes wrong. When ready:

1. Click on the SQL tab in phpMyAdmin.
2. Enter the query in the text box.
3. Click Go to execute the query.

Verifying Changes

After running the query, verify that the search and replace operation was successful:

1. Check the affected rows count displayed by phpMyAdmin.
2. Review the updated data in the targeted table.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Direct access to database	Requires technical knowledge
Fast and efficient	Risk of data corruption if not careful
Flexible query syntax	Not ideal for large databases
	Not suitable for complex operations

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Method 4: Using the interconnect/it Script

Getting the Script

1. Download the interconnect/it Search Replace DB PHP script zip file from their website.
2. Extract the folder called "search-replace-db-master" and rename it (e.g., "update-db-1551").
3. Upload the folder via FTP or SFTP to your web server’s public directory, typically the same directory as your /wp-content folder.

Security Note: For safety, place the script in a hidden subdirectory that can’t be easily accessed from the front end. Also, consider setting up HTTP authentication for the folder to prevent unauthorized access.

Configuring the Script

1. In your browser, navigate to your secret folder (e.g., "https://domain.com/update-db-1551").
2. The script will try to find and populate the database details. Ensure the details match the database you want to update.

Running the Script

1. Click dry run to see what the script will update or replace.
2. When ready, select live run to perform the database updates and WordPress search and replace.
3. Be careful when running the script, as it can potentially damage your database if used incorrectly.

Verifying Results

1. After running the script, check the affected rows count displayed.
2. Review the updated data in the targeted table to ensure the desired changes were made.

Pros	Cons
Actively maintained	Insecure if not used properly
Can catch things other methods miss	Requires technical knowledge and caution
Fast and efficient	Not ideal for large databases or complex operations
	Must be deleted after use for security

Method 5: Using the MyKinsta Tool

Accessing the Tool

To use the MyKinsta search and replace tool:

1. Log in to your MyKinsta dashboard.
2. Go to the Sites section.
3. Click on the website you want to update.
4. Select Tools > Search and Replace.

Setting Up the Search and Replace

1. In the search field, enter the value you want to find in the database (e.g., an old URL or text).
2. Click Search to see how many times the value appears.
3. Check the Replace box to continue.
4. In the Replace with field, enter the new value.
5. Leave the Clear cache when ready box checked to automatically clear your site’s cache after the update.

Running the Search and Replace

1. Click Replace to start the process.
2. The tool will automatically create a database backup before making changes.
3. Once complete, review the updated data to ensure the desired changes were made.

Verifying the Changes

1. Check the number of affected rows displayed.
2. Review the updated data in the targeted tables.
3. Test your website to ensure everything is working correctly.

Pros	Cons
Easy to use	Only available to Kinsta customers
Automatically backs up your database	Limited to simple string replacements
Can automatically clear your site’s cache	May not work for complex database operations
Fast and efficient

Note: The MyKinsta tool is convenient for Kinsta customers, but it may not be suitable for complex database operations or replacing serialized data.

A Simple Guide to Search and Replace in WordPress

Performing a search and replace operation in WordPress allows you to update multiple instances of text or phrases across your website’s database. This handy tool comes in useful when you need to make bulk changes to your content, such as:

• Updating URLs: Change URLs after moving your website to a new domain or switching to HTTPS.
• Fixing broken links: Replace outdated or broken links with new ones.
• Optimizing SEO: Update meta titles, descriptions, and keywords on multiple pages or posts.
• Bulk content updates: Replace specific text or phrases across multiple pieces of content, like updating product names or prices.

Here’s a quick overview of five methods to perform search and replace operations in WordPress:

1. Using WP-CLI

WP-CLI is a command-line tool that offers flexibility and speed. It’s ideal for developers and those comfortable with the command line.

Pros	Cons
Fast and efficient	Requires command-line knowledge
Flexible query syntax	Not suitable for complex operations
Suitable for large databases	May require additional setup

2. Using a Plugin

Plugins like Better Search Replace and Search & Replace provide a user-friendly interface for search and replace operations. This method is suitable for non-technical users.

Pros	Cons
Easy to use	May not work well with large databases
Fast	May require some setup
Offers extra options like dry runs	Not as flexible as other methods
	Not ideal for complex operations

3. Using phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin is a popular database management tool that allows for manual queries. It’s a good option for those familiar with SQL and database management.

Pros	Cons
Direct access to database	Requires technical knowledge
Fast and efficient	Risk of data corruption if not careful
Flexible query syntax	Not ideal for large databases
	Not suitable for complex operations

4. Using the interconnect/it Script

The interconnect/it Search Replace DB PHP script provides a simple and efficient way to search and replace data. It’s a good choice for those who prefer a script-based approach.

Pros	Cons
Actively maintained	Insecure if not used properly
Can catch things other methods miss	Requires technical knowledge and caution
Fast and efficient	Not ideal for large databases or complex operations
	Must be deleted after use for security

5. Using the MyKinsta Tool

The MyKinsta search and replace tool is a convenient option for Kinsta customers, offering a user-friendly interface and automatic database backups.

Pros	Cons
Easy to use	Only available to Kinsta customers
Automatically backs up your database	Limited to simple string replacements
Can automatically clear your site’s cache	May not work for complex database operations
Fast and efficient

When choosing a method, consider the complexity of your search and replace operation, your technical expertise, and the size of your database. It’s essential to backup your database before making any changes to ensure data integrity.

FAQs

What is the WP-CLI search and replace command?

The WP-CLI search-replace command allows you to find and replace text strings in your WordPress database tables. This is useful when you need to update post content, options, and other data, especially when changing URLs for sites on a WordPress multisite network.

How do I search and replace SQL query in WordPress?

To run a search and replace SQL query in WordPress, follow these steps:

1. Go to your database management tool (e.g., phpMyAdmin).
2. Enter the following code snippet, replacing the placeholders with your specific details:

UPDATE TABLE_NAME SET FIELD_NAME = REPLACE(FIELD_NAME, 'Text to search', 'Text to replace it with');

3. Click "Go" to execute the query.

The process will display a success message indicating the number of instances that were changed.

How do I find and replace database content in WordPress?

There are a few ways to search and replace content in your WordPress database:

1. Use a plugin: Install a search and replace plugin like "Better Search Replace" or "Search & Replace." These plugins provide a user-friendly interface to find and replace text or code across your site’s database.
2. Use a text editor: If you’re comfortable with code, you can directly edit your WordPress files using a text editor and perform find and replace operations.
3. Use the WordPress code editor: WordPress includes a built-in code editor where you can search and replace text within your theme and plugin files.

How do you find and replace code in WordPress?

You can find and replace code in WordPress using one of these five methods:

1. Use MyKinsta’s Search and Replace Tool (if you’re a Kinsta customer).
2. Install a WordPress Search and Replace Plugin.
3. Use the interconnect/it Search Replace DB PHP Script.
4. Perform the Search and Replace Directly With WP-CLI (command-line tool).
5. Run a Find and Replace MySQL Query With phpMyAdmin (database management tool).

What does the Better Search Replace plugin do?

The Better Search Replace plugin is a simple tool that allows you to update URLs or other text in your WordPress database. It’s particularly useful when moving your WordPress site to a new domain or server, as you’ll need to update the database to ensure everything works correctly with the new URL.

Method	Pros	Cons
WP-CLI	– Fast and efficient – Flexible query syntax – Suitable for large databases	– Requires command-line knowledge – Not suitable for complex operations – May require additional setup
Plugin	– Easy to use – Fast – Offers extra options like dry runs	– May not work well with large databases – May require some setup – Not as flexible as other methods – Not ideal for complex operations
phpMyAdmin	– Direct access to database – Fast and efficient – Flexible query syntax	– Requires technical knowledge – Risk of data corruption if not careful – Not ideal for large databases – Not suitable for complex operations
interconnect/it Script	– Actively maintained – Can catch things other methods miss – Fast and efficient	– Insecure if not used properly – Requires technical knowledge and caution – Not ideal for large databases or complex operations – Must be deleted after use for security
MyKinsta Tool	– Easy to use – Automatically backs up your database – Can automatically clear your site’s cache – Fast and efficient	– Only available to Kinsta customers – Limited to simple string replacements – May not work for complex database operations

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