3 Easy Ways to Duplicate Pages in WordPress

Have you ever spent time crafting the perfect page in WordPress—only to wish you could duplicate it quickly for similar content? Whether you’re designing landing pages, case studies, or services, duplicating pages can save time and keep formatting consistent. Luckily, WordPress offers several simple methods for copying pages without having to rebuild everything from scratch.

TL;DR: If you’re looking for the fastest ways to duplicate a page in WordPress, you’re in the right place. You can use a plugin, clone pages manually, or utilize the built-in Block Editor features depending on your comfort level and needs. Each method has its pros and cons, but all can help you streamline your development workflow. Keep reading to find the solution that fits you best.

1. Use a Plugin to Duplicate Pages

If you’re not interested in manually copying and pasting content every time, the easiest and most popular method is using a plugin. WordPress has several plugins specifically designed for this task. The most commonly used are:

• Duplicate Post by Yoast
• Post Duplicator
• Duplicate Page

Let’s go through how to do this using the Duplicate Page plugin, as it’s highly rated and beginner-friendly.

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New.
2. Search for “Duplicate Page” and install the plugin by mndpsingh287.
3. Activate the plugin once it’s installed.
4. Visit Pages > All Pages. Hover over the page you want to duplicate and click “Duplicate This”.
5. The copy will appear in your list of pages as a draft. You can edit and publish it whenever you’re ready.

Why Use a Plugin?

• User-friendly – No technical skills needed.
• Fast – Clone a page with just one click.
• Customizable – Some plugins let you choose what elements to copy, like featured images or metadata.

This method is best for users who want a hassle-free way to manage duplicates without touching code or format settings every time.

2. Duplicate Pages Manually Using the Block Editor

If you prefer the hands-on approach or want more control, you can duplicate a page manually using the Gutenberg Block Editor. This method doesn’t require any plugins and works well for simpler pages or one-time copies.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the page you want to duplicate in the Block Editor.
2. Click the three-dot menu (More Options) in the top-right corner of the editor.
3. Select “Copy All Content”.
4. Go to Pages > Add New in your dashboard.
5. Paste the copied content into the new page using Ctrl + V (or Cmd + V on Mac).
6. Edit the title and make any other changes you need.
7. Click Publish when you’re ready to go live.

Benefits of Manual Duplication:

• Full control over what content is transferred.
• No need to install third-party plugins.
• Ideal for one-off cases where duplication isn’t a frequent task.

However, this method doesn’t copy metadata, SEO settings, featured images, or advanced configurations, so you may need to reconfigure those manually.

3. Clone Pages Programmatically with Custom Code

For developers or advanced users, creating a custom solution to duplicate pages via PHP is another option. This method lets you automate duplication through functions, making it ideal for theme or plugin development.

Disclaimer: Make sure to back up your site and use a child theme when editing core files.

Here’s an example of a simple function that will clone a page when called:

<?php
function duplicate_post_as_draft($post_id) {
    $post = get_post($post_id);

    if ($post) {
        $new_post = array(
            'post_title'     => $post->post_title . ' Copy',
            'post_content'   => $post->post_content,
            'post_status'    => 'draft',
            'post_type'      => $post->post_type,
            'post_author'    => get_current_user_id(),
        );

        $new_post_id = wp_insert_post($new_post);

        return $new_post_id;
    }

    return false;
}
?>

You can tie this function to a custom admin button or trigger it based on a specific action within your theme or plugin.

Advantages of Using Code:

• Highly customizable – Configure it to copy custom fields, taxonomies, or ACF data.
• Efficient – Great for bulk duplication or complex workflows.
• No reliance on plugins – Keeps the site lean and efficient.

Downside? You’ll need to know your way around WordPress coding standards and PHP. For developers, though, this method is invaluable for custom functionality.

Best Practices When Duplicating Pages

While duplicating pages saves time, here are some best practices to make sure your site stays clean, organized, and optimized:

• Rename Your Duplicates: Always change the title and permalink to prevent confusion and SEO penalties.
• Update Metadata: Be sure to revise SEO tags, featured images, and any specific widgets or shortcodes.
• Avoid Duplicate Content: Google may de-rank you for identical pages, so make sure each duplicated page serves a unique purpose.

Which Method is Right for You?

Still not sure which route to take? Here’s a quick comparison:

Final Thoughts

Duplicating pages in WordPress doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you choose a plugin, go manual, or dive into custom coding, there’s a method for everyone. Using these simple techniques, you can streamline your content creation process, maintain brand consistency, and even scale faster.

Just remember: always keep your duplicates clean, optimized, and purposeful. After all, efficiency is only as valuable as the clarity it creates.

Happy cloning!