How can I alter the WordPress query without “overriding” it?

2 comments

1. You can use the pre_get_posts filter to access/alter the $query object. In functions.php:

   function search_filter($query) {
     if ( !is_admin() && $query->is_main_query() ) {
       if ($query->is_search) {
         $query->set('posts_per_page', 6);
       }
     }
   }
   add_action('pre_get_posts', 'search_filter');
   

2. Never ever use query_posts, it breaks the main query object ($wp_query) and all functionality that relies on the main query object. It also breaks page functionality. Apart from that, it is slow and reruns queries. query_posts should be on top of your most evil list together with functions like create_function(), eval() and extract().

   If you need to alter the main query, always use pre_get_posts to do so. Never change the main query with a custom one, it might solve one problem, but it creates many other.

   The following will work

   add_action( 'pre_get_posts', function ( $q )
   {
       if (    !is_admin()
            && $q->is_main_query()
            && $q->is_search()
       ) {
           $q->set( 'posts_per_page', 6 );
       }
   });
   

Comments are closed.