How to exclude ‘search box’ from a blog ‘category’ page on WordPress [Blocksy]

This article will show you how to remove search box from middle of a category page on WordPress. This method is primarily applicable to the Blocksy theme. However, you may also test it on other themes to see if they work similarly.

Background

We’ve recently launched our blog and do not have posts available for all intended categories. While reviewing our recent updates, we noticed that a search box has automatically appeared on our empty category pages.

The problem

Further investigation revealed that these search boxes were retrieving both restricted and unrestricted pages and posts in the search results. For example, when searching for ‘ne,’ our ‘Newsletter Confirmation’ page appeared in the search results, even though it should only be visible to users as a subscription confirmation page. See the example below in red.

However, this was not the case for our header search bar. It worked as expected, retrieving search results only from ‘posts’ and not from ‘pages.’ See the example below.

The Choices

After researching online, I found that I had two options:

1. Installing a plugin
2. Using custom CSS

I initially took the easier route and installed the ‘Search Exclude’ plugin. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me, as those pages still appeared in the general search.

Therefore, I decided to take the “more technical’ approach — using custom CSS.”

The Solution

The solution was easier than I expected.

Follow these steps:

1. Go to Customize option from the top menu.
2. Scroll down to the Core module near the bottom of the page.
3. Select Additional CSS.
4. Enter the following code and click Publish.

.ct-search-form {
	display: none;
}

For Visual Learners

For those who prefer visual learning, here’s how it looks:

Step 1: Go to Customize option from top.

Step 2: Scroll down to “Core” module toward the bottom of the page & Choose “Additional CSS”.

Step 3: Then input below code and press “Publish”

.ct-search-form {
	display: none;
}

Result

And just like that, peace got restored in life!

Conclusion

I hope you liked this tutorial and it was helpful to you.

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Search terms: WordPress, technical solution, blocksy theme, Fahim Aziz