How to Create a Gravatar Account

Step 1: Sign up for a Gravatar Account

If you already have a WordPress website established, first navigate to the Gravatar website and sign in with the same credentials you use to sign into your WordPress dashboard.

Step 2: Manage Gravatars

Once you are successfully inside of your Gravatar account, the email address that is associated with your WordPress website links your website to your Gravatar account.

In this section add or delete any Gravatar image you wish to represent you in the online world.  In addition, add additional emails to reflect the Gravatar image you have uploaded.

Step 3: Create a Gravatar Profile

The Gravatar service offers a profile section for others to access by clicking on your Gravatar image wherever it appears.

For starters, in the Name and Details, section add basic information about yourself:

• Your full name.
• Gravatar display name.
• Your location.
• A small excerpt about yourself.

In addition, there are several other profile sections to fill in so people can learn more about you.  This is especially useful if you are looking to grow your website’s traffic or promote your business.

• Photo Gallery.  Upload multiple images for future Gravatars or display a gallery.
• Websites.  Link to your WordPress website, specific blog posts, or other websites.
• Background.  Upload a background image to your profile.
• Contact Information.  Include other ways visitors can contact you.
• Verified Services.  Verify other accounts to prove you are really you.
• Crypto-Currencies.  Add crypto-currency wallet addresses.

Once you have a Gravatar account, leaving a comment on another website will look something like this:

Just remember to input the email address associated with your Gravatar account so your Gravatar appears.

If you leave a different email address than the one used to sign in to both your WordPress dashboard and Gravatar account, a default avatar will appear.

Managing Your Website’s Gravatars

As mentioned above, if a site visitor attempts to leave a comment on your blog post and does not enter the email that is associated with their respective Gravatar, regardless of whether they have a Gravatar account or not, a default avatar appears.

As a website owner, you have complete control over which default avatar displays on your website.

To control your website’s Gravatars, navigate to Settings > Discussion.  Next, select the Avatars section.

Here there are several setting options to configure

• Avatar Display.  Toggle Gravatars on and off on your website.
• Gravatar Hovercards.  Allow users to view profiles of those with Gravatar accounts.
• Maximum Rating.  Decide which Gravatar rating level you would like displayed on your website.
• Default Avatar.  Choose which default avatar to display when a site visitor does not have a custom avatar, or a Gravatar, associated with their email address.

Here are the typical default avatar options you have built into your WordPress website.

In the end, Gravatars are very useful for adding a visual representation of yourself across the internet.  Adding a face to a name, or associating a product to a business, Gravatars are great brand builders.  They also increase your brand’s credibility when you use your own photograph.

With millions of users and websites alike supporting the use of Gravatars, it is time you sign up for a Gravatar account now if you haven’t done so already.  Besides being a reliable identifier of your brand across multiple platforms, they are just fun to use!

Have you signed up for your free Gravatar account yet?  Leave a comment and show us what image represents you.  I would love to see everyone’s Gravatars in use!