A scheduled post is a post that you write now and set to publish automatically at a future date and time. WordPress keeps it with the Scheduled status and makes it live on its own when the time comes.
This comes handy when you want a steady publishing routine, or when you are traveling and still want fresh content on your blog.
Why should you schedule posts?
Readers and search engines like consistency. With scheduling, you can write five articles over the weekend and spread them across the week. I always schedule my posts for the hour when most of my readers are online.
It is just like setting an alarm. You set it once, and it rings on time without you watching the clock.
How to schedule a post in WordPress
- First, open your post in the block editor.
- Now, in the settings sidebar, click the value next to Publish. By default, it says Immediately.
- Next, pick the date and time from the calendar.
- Here, notice that the blue Publish button changes to Schedule.
- Finally, click Schedule and confirm.
You can see all your upcoming posts under Posts → All Posts by clicking the Scheduled link at the top.
Check your timezone in Settings → General first. If it is wrong, your post will go live at the wrong hour.
How does WordPress publish scheduled posts?
WordPress uses a system called WP-Cron to run timed tasks. WP-Cron doesn't watch a real clock. Instead, it checks for due tasks when someone visits your site.
So on a quiet site, a post may go live a little late. If WP-Cron fails to run, for example because of server or caching issues, the post can even show a "Missed schedule" status.
For a walkthrough with more detail, read our guide on how to schedule WordPress posts. If a post ever misses its time, here is how to fix the missed scheduled post error.
Scheduling lets you publish on time without sitting at your desk. That's it for scheduled posts. Questions? Leave them in the comment box below.