This task can be undertaken by users with the following roles: OC Site Manager and OC System Administrator.
The Related Content module automatically compiles content lists to direct your community to content based on pages they're currently browsing. The lists can be based on filters such as content type, content labels, site structure, and can be automated site-wide or on individual pages.
Once the Related Content module has been turned on, it needs to be set up for each content type you want to use it with. Related content is best used on only some content types; if used everywhere on your site, it could become too crowded. We have seen the best effects for types like events, venues, projects, and parks, where you can use content labels to suggest similar events such as all events for seniors.
This article will discuss:
- Turning on Related Content for a content type
- Setting your Related Content filters for a content type
- Turning Related Content on or off for individual pages
This article covers Related Content on a site-wide level. If you are looking for information about individual content lists, see Build a content list.
Turn on Related Content for a content type
Before you get started, make sure the Related Content module is turned on for the site you're using. Once it has been turned on, you need to configure the settings for each content type before your related content will start appearing on pages.
- Go to More > Site Management > your site > Settings > content type > Related Content.
- Use the dropdown menu to select your default Related Content setting for that content type. We recommend using the 'Turn on but hide on pages by default' setting, which allows you to set up the module as you like and control how many pages it appears on.
- Save your changes.
Default Related Content settings
Your options for the Related Content settings are:
| Disabled |
Related content will not be shown for this content type. You can still build a content list for individual pages within that content type. |
| Turn on and use site-wide setting | Related content is turned on, and will be shown or hidden based on your site-wide settings for the related content module. |
| Turn on and show on pages by default | Related content is turned on and will always be shown for pages of this content type unless it is disabled at a page-level. |
| Turn on but hide on pages by default | Related content is turned on but will not be shown for pages of this content type unless it is enabled at a page-level. |
As long as the module is turned on, you can override the default setting for individual pages using the Engagement tab on the page.
Set up the related content list
Once the Related Content has been turned on for a content type, you can use the Set up button to configure how the related content list will source content and what the list will look like. Using this button will open a 3-page menu called Insert related content. This menu will cover:
- Options to filter which content appears in the list
- Templates
- Title and links to be added to the list
Options
This is where you set the filters by which your related content list will source content. Use these options to ensure your lists are relevant to the pages they're inserted into.
| Content types to include |
Use this setting to define which content types will be included in your related content list: All: source from all content types on your site Some: choose which content types to include. For example, when setting up the related content for your event pages, you might want to set it so that it only shows other OC Event pages. |
| Content labels to include |
Use this setting to filter your related content list using content labels: All: Related content will be drawn from pages with any content labels. This option is best used together with other filters, like choosing certain content types or 'Direct child pages only'. Has all content labels from current page: Related content will be drawn from pages with all of the labels of the currently viewed page. Used correctly, this option can create highly targeted lists, such as events for a specific audience at a particular venue. Has any content labels from current page: Related content will be drawn from pages with any of the labels of the currently viewed page. Some: Related content will be drawn from pages with the labels you specify. |
| Maximum number of items to display |
Use this setting to choose the maximum number of related content items to display. We recommend no more than 3 links per page, to keep your page from becoming too long and crowded. |
| Include content from |
Use this setting to choose where in your site your related content can be drawn from: Whole content tree: Related content can be sourced from anywhere in your site tree Direct child pages only: related content can only be sourced from direct child pages of the page the list appears on |
| Sort |
Use these dropdown options to define how related content is sorted. These options are contextual, so the options you'll see depend on the content type you're setting up. Most are self-explanatory, but 'sequence' can be a bit tricky. This refers to the order of pages in the site tree. |
Once you’ve set up your related content filters, select Next to go to the Templates menu.
Templates
This page of the menu is where you set up the layout of your content list.
This is a tabbed menu. Click through the options at the top of the menu to see a variety of Grid, Stream, List, and Container views. Each option is displayed as a preview so you can easily see how your lists will be laid out.
A popular choice is to use a grid option, which displays the image, title, and description of related content pages. Using this option allows users to see what the content is about, without taking up the screen space that a stream listing would.
Choose a template, then select Next.
Title and links
The last page of the Related Content menu is where you can add the final touches for your Related Content. Use the Related content title settings to add a styled heading to your content list, and the Related content more info link to add an additional link below your content list. These settings are all optional.
| Related content title | |
| Title | The heading displayed above Related content lists. Make sure this heading is relevant to all pages of the content type. |
| Title heading level | The styled heading level used for the title. |
| Related content more info link | |
| Link text | The text displayed below related content lists for an additional information link. This will not be shown if a URL is not entered. Make sure this link is relevant to all pages of the content type. |
| URL (start with http:// or https://) | The URL for an additional information link, below the related content lists. |
| Open in | Choose whether the link opens in the same browser window or a new browser window. |
| Show as | Choose whether the link appears as link text or as a Call-to-action button. |
Once you're happy with the content and layout of your related content list, select Insert to finish setting up related content for that content type.
Turn related content on or off for individual pages
Once your related content has been set up for a content type, pages will inherit the default setting you have chosen. As long as it is not Disabled, you can turn it on or off for individual pages.
- Go to the page you want to edit and select Update if it has been published.
- Go to the Engagement tab, and scroll down to the expandable Related content menu.
- Select the Show related content on this page checkbox to turn related content on for this page, or deselect it to turn it off for this page.
- Publish the page.
