Essential December Blog Housekeeping to Keep Your Site Safe and Functional!

Over the past few years, I’ve published a post around this time of year outlining some jobs all bloggers can do to ensure their blog not only looks good but also functions correctly.

If you’re interested in what some of those crucial jobs are, my post from this time last year, ‘7 Essential, Easy Ways to Help You Blog Through December‘ gives full details.

One thing bloggers who never do any blog housekeeping refuse to believe is that many problems on their blogs originate from a lack of maintenance. They’ll blame WordPress, instead of themselves. Continuing to use an outdated theme can also cause issues and create a security risk.

One job all bloggers are recommended to do

One important task I am currently working on in the housekeeping aspect of my blog is reviewing posts and removing any images that I cannot be certain are entirely free to use. But why am I doing this?

If you have read my recent posts, ‘Where To Legally Source Amazing Images For Your Blog Posts‘ and ‘The Latest Blogging and Publishing Scams You Need to Be Aware Of Now‘, you’ll understand why.

The comments sections of both posts offer interesting reading, so I recommend taking a look.

I’m a personal blogger, so this won’t affect me!

Wrong! Just because you are a personal blogger, don’t think you are exempt from being fined for copyright infringement. Downloading and using copyrighted images, photos, song lyrics, and some GIFs in your blog posts is illegal; therefore, nobody should encourage bloggers to download or publish any copyrighted material.

Most of the images I deleted are from flash fiction challenges I used to participate in. However, I have also found some images in other posts where I either failed to give proper attribution to the source or used images from the host blogger that I could not guarantee were free to use when taking part in their link-up.

And don’t forget to delete those images and photos from your media library, too. Not only are they proof that you downloaded them illegally, but deleting them will free up valuable storage space.

Unless you are completely certain that images, photos, song lyrics and GIFs are not copyrighted and free to use, avoid using them. Sure, you might get away with it, but why risk a hefty fine?

Back to why December is the ideal time for some blog housekeeping

I’ve already had the pleasure of seeing bloggers bid farewell to their blogs and followers for the festive season, joyfully extending warm wishes to their readers for a Merry Christmas while eagerly expressing their intention to return promptly in the New Year.

An image of a festive sign that says 'back in 2026
Image created using the WordPress AI image generator.

Some have published their final posts of 2025, while others have happily shared their anticipated dates for a well-earned blogging break.

And who can blame them? Blogging is enjoyable, but all bloggers need a break from the blogging world. I’m taking a blogging break during the last few weeks of December.

For those who do not celebrate Christmas, December still provides a valuable opportunity to focus on blog maintenance and security. This can include reviewing and updating posts, auditing existing content for accuracy and relevance, fixing broken links, and improving website speed and SEO.

Furthermore, it’s an excellent time to review your blog’s design and user experience, making necessary adjustments to improve accessibility and engagement. By investing time in these areas, bloggers can keep a polished, secure platform ready to impress their audience in the upcoming year.

As December rolls in and its days dwindle, you’ll probably witness how much of the blogging world falls into a hush. So why let your blog languish in neglect? This is your golden opportunity to roll up your sleeves and give it the fierce love and attention it deserves, ensuring it runs flawlessly for another year.

Let’s wrap it up!

  • At least once a year, focus on housekeeping tasks to enhance your blog’s appearance and functionality.
  • Many blog issues stem from a lack of maintenance; outdated themes can pose security risks.
  • One essential task is reviewing and removing any images from posts and your blog’s media library that may not be free to use to avoid copyright infringement.
  • Personal bloggers are not exempt from potential copyright-related legal issues when downloading or using copyrighted materials.
  • December is an ideal time for blog maintenance as many bloggers take breaks. It’s an opportunity for bloggers to give their blogs the attention they deserve before the New Year.

Are you excited about some upcoming blog housekeeping or maintenance? If so, what fantastic plans do you have in store? Perhaps you’ve already tackled some blog maintenance—if that’s the case, I’d love to hear about the wonderful jobs you accomplished!

The featured image in this post was created using the WordPress AI Image Generator block. AI was also used for checking spelling and grammar mistakes.

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61 responses to “Essential December Blog Housekeeping to Keep Your Site Safe and Functional!”

  1. dgkaye avatar

    Excellent tips Hugh. I’ll be sharing for my year-end writer’s tips. Happy holidays. 🥰

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thank you, Debby. Season’s Greetings to you.

      1. dgkaye avatar

        Thank you Hugh. 😁

  2. Marsha avatar

    Hi Hugh, Great advice! There are so many ways to get free, uncopyrighted photos now, that I hope most people are not doing what I did at first, and downloading pictures from Google. This is a good reminder that we need to go through and maintain our blogs. I never did finish with all the broken links, but I keep working on it. I am working on the page and posts for next year’s Story Chat, which will go up soon! I’ll be off the last week of Dec.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I used to download what I thought were free images from Google, Marsha. Even though my search was ‘free images’, of course, I had no idea that what Google was showing me was actually free to use. All those images have long gone not only from my posts but also from my media library. Some people forget to delete images from their media library as well as from their posts.

      Broken links are a pain, especially when doing it for the first time or when it’s been a long time since it was last done. Deleting old, outdated posts that have no value also helps get rid of them.

      Good to hear that you are working on Story Chat 2026. What a success it has been. Some brilliant stories this year.

      1. Marsha avatar

        Thanks for all you do, tips and stories, and just being you and being real. Every time I read one of your posts, I’m busy for the few hours or days following through. Your advice is so helpful for maintaining a blog.

        Your service to Story Chat is beyond words. It wouldn’t have happened without you. Two books so far, four years of stories, So many dear friends.

        Thanks, Hugh. Have a Merry Christmas. xxxxx

  3. Jacqueline Lambert @WorldWideWalkies avatar

    Thanks for the reminder, Hugh. I’ve been through and deleted all my royalty free images! I’m in the process of replacing those that were header images, but will consider deleting old posts which will now have empty image attributes in them. I feel attached to them, because of the work that went into creating them, but as you say, they hurt your SEO if they’re not active. Do you save them anywhere?

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Hi Jacqueline, I delete any old posts that are no longer relevant or are outdated, especially if they are getting no views. I’ve been blogging for almost 12 years and must have published over 2,000 posts in that time, but currently I only have 402 active posts. I don’t save them as I know I’ll never go back to them. Once they are gone, they’re gone.

      The header images I use are either my own images or free ones that come with the WordPress theme I use. I tend to use my own photos now for headers. However, the current header is one I created using Canva. I only use the free version of Canva, and the image comes as part of that package. I may change it and use one of my festive photos.

      1. Jacqueline Lambert @WorldWideWalkies avatar

        I probably should part with all those old posts… :-)

        I use the paid version of Canva because I love it and use it a lot to create blog and book advertising images. Canva owns Pixabay I get royalty free images through Canva, and hope I don’t get the same issues with Canva, as there’s no attribution for the images! Thanks again for all your wonderful advice, and have a happy and restful festive period. xx

  4. Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader) avatar

    I’ve always been very careful about images, Hugh. But your comment about song lyrics caught my eye. From time to time, I have quoted snippets of song lyrics if they support what I’m writing about. Hmm.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Hi Michelle, it is not illegal to publish song lyrics on your blog as long as you have permission from the copyright holder. Publishing entire lyrics without permission is a copyright infringement, though using very short excerpts may be permissible under fair use. However, what ‘fair use’ means is something I would recommend you look into.

    2. Jacqueline Lambert @WorldWideWalkies avatar

      I’m always wary of song lyrics because fair use of even a small snippet comprises quite a lot of the song. Titles are not copyright, and a parody seems to be okay, but as Hugh says, I would look into it. It has always stayed with me that the humorous Viz comic was sued by Blondie for using the Tide is High lyrics in their story about Captain Morgan and his Hammond Organ!

      1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

        I think it’s best not to use any song lyrics at all, Jacqueline. That way, at least we know that we are not doing anything wrong.

        1. Jacqueline Lambert @WorldWideWalkies avatar

          I agree. I never do, because it’s just too risky. Artists have a lot of legal backup and funding to pursue infringements!

  5. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar

    Oooh, it’s that time of the year again. Yes, I should do some housekeeping and maintenance on my Roaming About blog, but I really need a break from all things internet and social media soon! Let’s see if I find the energy later this month…

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Good luck with your blog maintenance, Liesebet, but enjoy your blogging and social media break too.

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