Are your WordPress users constantly changing or updating pages, plugins, and posts?
If so, then you can check the changes made to WordPress with one simple plugin.
The Simple History plugin keeps track of user actions and modifications to content.
It displays an overview of user history changes from the dashboard while also allowing for a more complete record from the plugin page.
So, to use this plugin, simply follow the steps below.
Why Track User History in WordPress?
As a website owner, it’s important to track changes that are made in WordPress. If any change has an impact on website performance or security, then it might cause serious issues. This is especially true if you manage a website with a large number of users completing a variety of tasks.
Tracking all recent modifications allows you to see who performed which functions. If something goes wrong, you can investigate the history to determine what happened.
Furthermore, with a reliable plugin that records user history, you can monitor almost everything that happens on the site, not only when users log in and exit.
Install and Activate the Simple History Plugin
To track user history in WordPress, you first need to install and then activate the Simple History plugin.
Then, you can do this by accessing the plugins section on your admin dashboard.
After successfully installing and activating the plugin, go to Settings > Simple History in the left menu of your dashboard.
This will direct you to the plugin’s settings page, where you can adjust its configurations.
Track WordPress User History
Now that you are on the settings page let’s take a quick look at the setup. You will see three main tabs on this page. They are:
- Settings
- Export
- Debug
Settings
There are a few simple things to choose from on the settings tab. Go ahead and run through these and configure the plugin settings how you would like.
Click on the “Save Changes” button to save all your configuration choices.
Export
The “Export” tab simply allows you to export a full WordPress user history. You can do this in either a JSON or CSV format.
For example, you could create a spreadsheet of your own using the history data in the CSV file.
Debug
The “Debug” tab shows you everything that is going on with the plugin and will give you suggestions for debugging situations that may arise.
In other words, this can be greatly helpful when troubleshooting the plugin.
View User History in WordPress
To view the history in WordPress, you need to go to WordPress Dashboard > Simple History.
There, you can select the Date Containing words, Log levels, and Message types for advanced search.
And that’s it! Now, you can track users’ history with ease.
Final Say
Tracking user history in WordPress can offer valuable insights into how users interact with your site, allowing you to monitor activities and enhance security.
Using a plugin like Simple History, you can easily review user actions, export history data for analysis, and debug issues when they arise. By following the steps outlined, you should be able to set up user history tracking in WordPress and customize the plugin’s settings to suit your needs.
This capability can play a key role in maintaining the security and smooth operation of your WordPress site.
FAQs on History in WordPress
How can I resolve problems with the Simple History plugin?
Go to the “Debug” tab in the Simple History plugin’s settings if you’re having issues with it. This tab gives you information about what the plugin is doing and offers recommendations to help you fix frequent problems. Try contacting the plugin’s support staff or community forums if you need any extra help.
Does Simple History work with every theme and plugin available for WordPress?
Many of WordPress themes and plugins are compatible with Simple History by design. If you run into any issues, though, check out the support page for the plugin or get in touch with the developer for help.
