Enjoy A Shiny New, Simplified Admin Bar
Remember your old admin bar (displayed at the top of your screen while you’re logged in to WordPress.com)? Up until today, it’s looked something like this while viewing an individual post:
But we wanted to make it easier for your visitors to interact with you via Likes and Follows, so we’ve cleaned it up a bit. Now it looks like this:
Better, right!? Now on the right hand side of the admin bar where your Gravatar is displayed, you have easy access to your user profile, all the blogs you can contribute to, and all the comments you’ve made across WordPress.com:
In the blog menu on the left side of the admin bar, you’ll see all the stuff related to the blog you’re currently viewing. If you’re looking at a post on your own blog, the menu will display links to your dashboard, post editor, comment moderation panel, custom menus, and widgets. Next to the blog menu are the Follow and Like buttons, along with a sparkline, which reflects the last 48 hours of page views on the blog:
When viewing posts on other blogs on WordPress.com, the blog menu on the left side of the admin bar will display the following options, as well as the shortlink and theme information:
If you hover over the WordPress.com logo in the left corner, you’ll see the following quick links:
Lastly, you may have noticed that you’re no longer able to reblog a post after clicking the Like button. Don’t worry — we’re cooking up some reblogging improvements that you’ll have access to very soon. Stay tuned!
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:46 am
I did notice the clutter-free look. Thanks!!
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:47 am
Great update! It feels much cleaner and sophisticated! <3
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:50 am
Very nice. It is good to have quicker access to the comments section.
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:51 am
Thanks for the info…I was a bit concerned that something was amiss when I logged on this evening. Thanks for clearing things up.
September 23rd, 2011 at 2:06 am
Very handy and smart addition. It helps save time. Love the comment counter in dropdown. Thank you guys!
September 23rd, 2011 at 2:10 am
Love the new, streamlined look. Well done.
September 23rd, 2011 at 2:11 am
Please give back the My Blogs drop-down. It just became a total hassle to go between my sites.
September 23rd, 2011 at 2:50 am
Look under your name in the upper right corner — you’ll find the complete list of your blogs along with your account-related links.
September 23rd, 2011 at 2:15 am
I noticed the changes earlier right away, but am glad I just now read your explanation, too – now I know to click on my gravatar to find access to BOTh my blogs (not just the one I’m working on). I was confused there for a while…..
THANKS!
September 23rd, 2011 at 2:16 am
Beatrice reblogged this from bckh and commented:
Actually, I am new to wordpress.com and I hate the change because I was getting used to checking what I blogged and being to easily edit posts and pages — Change–why doesn’t someone ask if WE want it changed?
September 23rd, 2011 at 2:52 am
If you want to edit the page you’re currently on, you’ll find the Edit link under the blog menu on the left side of the admin bar.
September 23rd, 2011 at 2:28 am
Oh, I like this very much. Good show!
September 23rd, 2011 at 2:44 am
Clean. Clean. Clean.
As always WordPress….well done.
September 23rd, 2011 at 2:48 am
How do you search for other wordpress blogs? I can’t find that function.
September 23rd, 2011 at 2:56 am
We’re looking at coming up with a better way to replace the multiple button search form we previously had in the admin bar. In the mean time you can go to http://en.search.wordpress.com/
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:06 am
I liked the way the old bar was as it worked better for me. I find this one hard to navigate with and when I go to another WordPress Blog site I cannot get back to my one easily as before and even when I’m in my site I cannot get back to my main page if I leave it to go to another area of my site. It is very frustrating. Simplified is not always best. Isn’t there someway to put it back the way it was?
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:06 am
Matt Thomas reblogged this from Matt Thomas and commented:
I made it special just for you.
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:07 am
Yuck! It is horrible. I appreciate the work that was put into it, but it is too dark to navigate and is miserable on my eyes. If it were grey it would be much better.
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:10 am
I tried to use the support contact form but could not find it. I really do not like the new Admin Bar. I liked everything in one spot and not all over the place. It did not look cluttered to me at all.
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:36 am
On the right side, in the menu with your name and Gravatar is a Help link.
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:15 am
I love the new toolbar!! Lean, clean, fighting machine!! Now, if you figure how why all the fonts in all my dashboards are so teeeny tiny the past 10 days but weren’t previously, I would sure appreciate it. WordPress is great. I wouldn’t have online journals anywhere else now, and we all did when we dropped by here and moved right on in.
Thank you, WordPress.
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:42 am
Sounds like you’ve changed the text size of the browser. Most browsers will have a menu similar to View->Zoom->Reset.
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:25 am
Very clean and a perfect match for our theme. Nice work!
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:29 am
I’m glad you plan to return the reblog feature.
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:37 am
I only wish this would have been posted BEFORE it was released. I didn’t know what to do for awhile, but I figured it out on my own.
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:38 am
How interestingly similar to Google+ now. The jury’s still out whether I like/don’t like. But then again, I admit to being slow to accept change.
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:41 am
Love it! Thanks for all the ongoing efforts to improve our blogging site! =)
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:47 am
Hi…really, really, REALLY don’t like that you think this is simplified. Please give us the choice…mine is to leave it as it was. Tried it, and I don’t like it.
September 23rd, 2011 at 4:13 am
Short Link and News button are harder to use from now on … please move them back to the first tier. The other things look ok.
September 23rd, 2011 at 4:14 am
This seems to be a step forward to betterment. We’ll see.
September 23rd, 2011 at 4:20 am
The worst improvement WordPress ever made. Just in time when Facebook had their worst too.
September 23rd, 2011 at 4:24 am
Facebook changing, Pandora changing, and now this.
It’s all for the better, right?
September 23rd, 2011 at 4:29 am
How do I access my blog stats now? I hope it’s just one click away like it used tobe.
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:20 pm
When viewing the blog, click on the Stats sparkline on the admin bar. If you want to view stats for a different blog, you can use the My account menu and submenus on the right side under your name and Gravatar.
September 23rd, 2011 at 4:37 am
Love the new admin bar! Very Google like
September 23rd, 2011 at 4:38 am
I would actually prefer an option to restore mine to the way it was. This is too simplified and I miss the Site Statistics on the drop-down menu.
September 23rd, 2011 at 4:42 am
I thought my blog or theme was hacked lol. Anyway, the simpler the better. Thanks.
September 23rd, 2011 at 4:53 am
How do I bring up just my stats on a page?
September 23rd, 2011 at 5:07 am
Cleaner, yes. But I’d like to continue to see the “New” dropdown, which is much quicker to go to a new post, media, page. I have never liked the multiple dropdown, mouseover, to a new dropdown that has replaced it.
The former “New” dropdown menu was much more intuitive than this current setup.
September 23rd, 2011 at 5:19 am
Neat! I’m always excited by the improvements made by WordPress, knowing that it will all lead to something more beautiful.
September 23rd, 2011 at 5:20 am
I like the old one better. It was much easier to watch my stats and dashboard. Not impressed.
September 23rd, 2011 at 5:29 am
Super cool. Congrats and thanks again.
I’m a bit worried about your re-blog feature? I hope it’s not like “tumbling” because I precisely chose WordPress over Tumbler because of that. I know it’s a big hit but I personally dislike it. My fingers are crossed in hopes we will have the choice to disable it? Pretty please?
September 23rd, 2011 at 5:34 am
I really like it, but I miss being able to see how many bloggers liked my post at the top. Now I only see Like or Unlike. That was one of my favorite features. :/
September 23rd, 2011 at 5:35 am
I like it, even though it surprised me.
September 23rd, 2011 at 5:47 am
I’m a content over form kind of person. I liked my dashboard right there. No clicking around to get to it. I like clean. But it can’t be at the expense of function. I firmly believe that when you look after content, or function, then form, or appearance takes care of itself or needs little effort. But, everything is customizable these days, including browsers. I simply added a link to my dashboard on my bookmark toolbar.
September 23rd, 2011 at 5:49 am
I wish you folks would send out some kind of warning. I thought you’d deleted my other blog, and I kept searching around for it; and the right-hand side is the side we’re least programmed to see. If my mouse hadn’t happened to slip up there by accident when I was closing the blog in resignation, I never would have seen this “wonderful new feature”. Bleh.
Also, quit with the cryptic icon stuff.
Also, who the heck actually “interacts” with “Like”? When Facebook has followed MySpace into oblivion in a year or two, will this crud still be littering the Internet for the next twenty years?
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:11 am
Hmmm… I feel this is a lot of getting used to.
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:13 am
I don’t like it. Please reconsider the tiny edit button. For users in need of accessibility tools it is a real punishment there has to be activated a drop down to go to the edit function. It’s not simplified but impoverished this way.
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:15 am
I like new top bar and I have posted on my blog specially for this change.
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:16 am
Everything is perfect but I had really liked the shortlink in easy access – now that is moved to two more clicks.
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:27 pm
It should be the same number of click, just in a submenu instead of the top menu.
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:23 am
Simplified? Oh really, before the change it was much easier to either blog a new post or to check the comments etc. Now I have to use two drop-downs -.- And I don’t use the “Follow” and “Like” option, so now I have the two things I don’t use getting the most attention. Great.
I want the old bar back………
Der Point.
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:32 am
Very perfect!!!
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:32 am
its a good update, keep up the good work
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:35 am
I do wish you wouldn’t keep changing things like this, suddenly without warning. I log on and have to fiddle about finding where everything is. It’s a blasted nuisance. The name of the game is stability not pointless changes because soon time-waster in your office hasn’t got enough to do.
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:36 am
Okay, now it looks different, for some reason I didn’t have the left drop and down menu, where it says “New” and “Comments” and stuff. I had to go to the right.
I’m satisfied, nothing to complain anymore
Der Point.
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:37 am
Thank you, it is much tidier. It’s nice to see positive comments about change. Change is good when it improves on something. Facebook should learn from this!!!!!!!
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:38 am
Please put the stats back on the drop down, I know it’s not all about stats but I like to see that people are visiting and where they have come from, making me do this in several clicks is a little frustrating!
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Stats is right on the top. When viewing your blog you can click on the sparkline.
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:38 am
I love this move. Thanks WordPress.
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:54 am
This time I am not really enjoying the change. I find it a bit awkward having to click through the drop-down menu to access the “Edit” button when I want to make a change to something I am viewing. The rest is okay, this one feature annoys me a bit but, well, I shall get used to it somehow.
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:31 pm
You shouldn’t have to click through any of the menus to get to Edit, If you are viewing a post or page you want to edit, hover over the Blog menu on the left side and then click on Edit in the list.
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:00 am
This is a very pragmatic enhancement for newcomers like me. Thank you WordPress.
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:01 am
Good job WordPress.com! The new admin bar is not only looking great but is also a great help in navigating through important admin tasks.
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:25 am
I guess I’ll get used to it. More than any specific complaints about where to find specific tabs and dropdowns, is that I think it makes things a lot more difficult to navigate if the admin bar is different depending on where/ what page I’m on.
My learning curve will be a lot slower this way! I would really prefer one consistent display of tabs/options in that bar (even if they are hidden and hard to find in order to look “sleeker”), rather than a different set depending on what page/ post I’m on.
Just a side question–who are we trying to look sleeker for? I mean, presumably it’s only people who already blog on WordPress who see the admin bar, right? Has anyone ever left WordPress or complained because that bar didn’t look sleek enough?
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:40 am
Looking good! It’s clean and fresh!
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:52 am
I really hate this change – might leave WordPress. It is much more trouble when writing than it was before.
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:54 am
It is much more functional and beautiful. Thank you!
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:00 am
This is great. Thanks WordPress!
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:12 am
That’s the way, aha aha, i like it.
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:20 am
Good move, very good move. You are definitely going into the right direction. However, I do not like that there is more space below the letters than there is above… (in Safari).
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:21 am
Think the before dashboard was better…
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:42 am
Where can I track the comments I’ve left on other blogs?
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:37 pm
On the right side of the menu under your name and Gravatar is an option labeled Track My Comments.
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:54 am
You will get a thousand points for this! This is really perfect – I would have done the same (if I could -.-).
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:55 am
Yes it looks very simple. The older was easier/quicker to use…
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:06 am
I like this very much.
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:07 am
So nice and lovely.
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:10 am
Why o why there is no choice? I like it the old way :/ and plenty of people likes it the old way and they would never ever change to this. Facebook changing things all the time, always for worse, now you, and never giving us a choice other than accept what we dislike or bugger off and use other sites. Why? I did that already – moved here from other blog site because of all the changes all the time and now you’re doing the same.
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:18 am
Great ! It feels much cleaner and sophisticated!
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:22 am
Now I know what this reminds me of: Google Plus.
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:27 am
Looks great WordPress, however, I did like the old one better.
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:27 am
Yeah, a good change. It becomes convenient. I like that.
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:28 am
LOVE IT! Great Job!
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:33 am
I’m all for clean and crisp layouts..
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:48 am
Ok, I’ve just been playing around with this new ‘simplified’ admin bar. And IMO there is nothing simple about it. It’s really quite annoying that one must click on the right, or the left to access blogs, comments, dashboard … etc. The old admin bar had everything there and was simple, this new admin bar, there is nothing simple about it. But maybe that’s just me and my learning curve.
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:04 am
Much better!
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:09 am
The older bar was MUCH better – gave easier and more direct access to both editing and posting. ‘New’ (post, page etc) is now at the second level in a shaky drop down instead of being a very easily accesible button on the bar. I’ve no problems endorsing (and enjoying) novelty, but I definitely think this change is for the worse. I’d like the choice – and I’d take functional over sleek and shiny anytime!
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:13 am
Sorry, but I don’t like the new layout
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:13 am
Cool! Many thanks!
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:20 am
I loathe the new bar. It is NOT simplified.
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:25 am
Thank you! I like this update.
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:26 am
Do not like it. Miss the “read blogg” option.
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:03 pm
If you want to jump to a specific blog on your account those options are now on the right side under your name and Gravatar.
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:31 am
Nice one!
Had already seen it last night before I got your newsletter and I think it is a definite improvement.
Thanks!
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:06 am
Why did you have to change it? Now I can’t get my site stats any more. How am I supposed to get site stats? Please advise thanks.
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:02 pm
When viewing your site click on the Stats sparkline on the admin bar.
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:10 am
I love it! Thanks.
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:11 am
New looks to admin bar very nice
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:20 am
Looks like it will be great, but it doesn’t seem to display correctly in IE 9.
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:29 am
I don’t see any advantage. The changes are just a distraction. It’s irritating to have to take time from writing to learn a new set-up that really doesn’t help in any way.
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:30 am
Bad move, really bad move.
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:31 am
Not digging this change at the moment. Get used to it i guess.
Is there a link thing happening to Google plus ??
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:43 am
Thank you. I was worried I had brain damage when nothing was where I remembered it being!
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:54 am
that’s a great change, Erica! I wish we had for WordPress.org users
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:58 am
Very nice, and less cluttered
September 23rd, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I am glad you sent an email concerning this. I was wondering if you guys were in cahoots with Facebook!
I do hope we will be able to soon “like” and repost blogs as that is a great way of sharing bloggy love around. Thanks for the information—would have been better if we had a heads up maybe the day before the changes happened—just saying. The info in the email was helpful. Thanks!
September 23rd, 2011 at 12:26 pm
You know….I thought I was going CRAZY!!!!! You can’t sneak that in there like that on a 59 year old. I was about to make an appointment with a neurologist.
September 23rd, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Thank you for your efforts to simplify things. My problem is that i can’t copy shortlink.
September 23rd, 2011 at 12:31 pm
An announcement before it was done would have been appreciated. I thought I had lost my stuff. It looks too much like Google +.
September 23rd, 2011 at 12:32 pm
But I forgot to say it looks nice.