> ## Documentation Index
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> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Updating the copyright date in WordPress automatically

> Learn how to update WordPress site copyright date using a simple code snippet

The copyright date on [WordPress](https://hosting.com/hosting/platforms/wordpress-hosting/managed-wordpress-hosting/) site is important for showing users that the information on the site is up to date. If done manually, there is a good chance that the copyright date will be missed. This article demonstrates how to use a simple code snippet to automatically update the copyright date on WordPress site when the calendar year changes.

To update site copyright date automatically  in WordPress, follow these steps:

1. Log in to WordPress as the administrator.

2. On the **Dashboard** in the left sidebar, click **Appearance**, and then click **Editor**:\
   ![](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb_wp_themeeditor.jpg)

3. On the **Theme Editor**, select the **Theme** you want to edit from the dropdown:\
   ![](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb_wp_selectthemes.png)

4. The files for this selected theme are listed on the right column under **Theme Files**. Click on the file named "**functions.php**":\
   ![](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-wp-themefiles-function.png)

5. Insert the following code to the end of functions.php file and click Update File Button to save the changes:

```javascript theme={null}
function copyright($start_year, $site_name) {
  $year = date('Y');
  echo "© Copyright ";
  echo $start_year;
  if($start_year!= $year) echo "-$year";
  echo ", $site_name, All Rights Reserved.";
}
```

6. Click on the file named "footer.php" and insert the following code in the file:

```
<div class='copyright'>
<?php copyright(2021, "Your Site Name Goes Here");?>
</div>
```

<Note>
  In the above code, "2021" refers to the start year of your site which is going to be hardcoded.
</Note>

## Related articles

* [Copyright statement in WordPress](/docs/copyright-statement-in-wordpress)