BuddyPress Hashtags integrates with BuddyPress Profanity plugin to prevent inappropriate words from becoming clickable hashtags.
How It Works
When both plugins are active and the feature is enabled:
- User types a hashtag with a profanity word (e.g., #badword)
- The system checks the word against the profanity list
- If matched, the # is removed and the word appears as plain text
- The word is NOT converted to a clickable hashtag
- The word is NOT stored in the hashtag database
Benefits
- Keeps your community family-friendly
- Prevents abuse through offensive hashtags
- Works with your existing profanity filter
- Automatic – no manual moderation needed
- Inappropriate words appear as plain text, not clickable links
Requirements
- BuddyPress Profanity plugin installed and activated
- Profanity word list configured in BP Profanity settings
- Content Moderation enabled in BuddyPress Hashtags settings
Setup
Step 1: Install BuddyPress Profanity
- Install and activate the BuddyPress Profanity plugin
- Go to Settings > BuddyPress Profanity
- Add your profanity words (comma-separated)
- Configure case sensitivity if needed
- Save settings
Step 2: Enable in Hashtags Plugin
- Go to WB Plugins > BuddyPress Hashtag > General
- Find “Prevent Profanity Hashtags” option
- Toggle ON
- Save changes
What Gets Filtered
| Content | Filtered |
|---|---|
| BuddyPress activity updates | Yes |
| BuddyPress activity comments | Yes |
| bbPress topics | Yes |
| bbPress replies | Yes |
| WordPress posts/pages | Yes |
| WordPress comments | Yes |
Limitations
- Only works with BuddyPress Profanity plugin
- Does not filter partial matches (if “bad” is blocked, #badminton is still allowed)
- Does not retroactively filter existing hashtags
- Filtered words still appear in content, just not as clickable hashtags
Manual Hashtag Deletion
For hashtags that slip through or were created before moderation was enabled:
- Go to WB Plugins > BuddyPress Hashtag > Manage
- Search for the problematic hashtag
- Select and delete it
- The hashtag is removed from the database
Note: Deleting a hashtag from the database doesn’t modify existing posts – it just removes the hashtag index entry and prevents it from appearing in widgets/suggestions.