Why Does WordPress Use Gravatar for Avatars?
How Gravatar Integration Works
When a comment is submitted, WordPress checks Gravatar's service for an avatar registered to that commenter's email address and displays it if found, falling back to a generic default icon if the email has no registered Gravatar. This happens automatically without any site-specific configuration, since it's built into WordPress core's comment display logic.
Options If This Isn't Wanted
- Disabling avatars entirely under Settings → Discussion removes this feature sitewide, showing no avatar at all next to comments.
- Choosing a different default avatar style (also under Settings → Discussion) for commenters without a registered Gravatar, without disabling the feature for those who do have one.
- A privacy consideration worth being aware of: checking Gravatar involves sending the commenter's email (or a hash of it) to Gravatar's servers, which is relevant to disclose in a privacy policy if the site operates under GDPR or similar regulations.
- A plugin-based alternative avatar system exists for stores wanting locally uploaded avatars instead of relying on the external Gravatar service.
Configuring This to Your Preference
- Review Settings → Discussion to see and adjust the current avatar configuration.
- Disable avatars entirely if not wanted, or choose a preferred default style.
- Update the privacy policy to disclose Gravatar's use if comments are enabled and this data sharing applies.
Need comment/avatar behavior customized further? See WordPress bug fix.