Connect your WordPress site

Ranknera saves articles to your site through WordPress's built-in REST API, signed in with an application password. You need WordPress 5.6 or later, an https:// address, and a user who can write posts.

Create an application password

1. Sign in to your WordPress admin.
2. Open Users → Profile and scroll to Application Passwords.
3. Type "Ranknera" as the name and choose Add New Application Password.
4. Copy the password WordPress shows (four-letter groups with spaces). It is shown only once.

You can revoke it on the same screen at any time; Ranknera then can't sign in until you give it a new one. WordPress explains more in how application passwords work.

Add the site in Ranknera

1. In the dashboard, go to Sites and choose Add a site.
2. Fill in a name you'll recognise, the site address (https://, the address of the WordPress install itself), your WordPress username and the application password.
3. Optionally describe your brand voice: tone, reading level, formatting habits. Leave it blank and Ranknera works it out from your published posts.
4. Save. Ranknera signs in straight away and shows the result on the site's card.

Use Test connection on the site's card (Test in the phone app) whenever you change something in WordPress.

Which WordPress user to use

An Author, Editor or Administrator. Ranknera needs to create posts and upload images; Contributors and Subscribers can't do both.

If the connection fails

"WordPress rejected the username or application password"

Check the username (not the display name or email) and that you pasted the application password, not your login password. Spaces in it are fine.

"Couldn't reach …" or "doesn't resolve"

Check the address for a typo and that the site loads in your browser.

"Use the site's https:// address"

Ranknera never sends your password over plain http. Turn on HTTPS at your host (most offer a free certificate), then use the https:// address.

"The site redirects to …"

Use the address it names, for example with or without www.

"No WordPress REST API answered at this address"

Use the address of the WordPress install itself. If WordPress lives in a folder such as /blog, include it.

"The site refused the connection (HTTP 403)" or "blocked the request"

A firewall or security plugin (for example Wordfence, iThemes Security or your host's firewall) is blocking the REST API. Allow REST API access for signed-in users, or allow Ranknera's requests, then test again.

"Signed in, but this user can't write posts or upload images"

Use an Author, Editor or Administrator, or raise this user's role.

"That address points to a private network"

Ranknera can only reach sites on the public internet. Use the site's public address.