Dynamically Insert Ads in WordPress Archive Templates Using Custom Scripts

As someone constantly experimenting with WordPress customization, I wanted to control how and where ads appeared on my archive pages. Instead of relying on ad plugins with bloated features, I took a more efficient route—writing a custom script to insert ads after every 3rd, 5th, and 7th post dynamically. Here’s how I did it and why this solution works like a charm.

The Idea Behind It

My goal was to keep things lightweight and flexible. I wanted the option to insert ad blocks automatically without manually placing them in each post. This meant using a combination of a custom PHP function and a simple shortcode.

The Custom Script

I created a function that counts posts in the loop and conditionally injects ads at specific positions. This way, when a visitor scrolls through the archive, they see non-intrusive, well-placed ads, seamlessly blending into the layout.

Here’s a simplified version of the code I used:

function kadence_insert_ad_after_posts($post_id) {
    global $post_count;

    // Initialize counter if not set
    if (!isset($post_count)) {
        $post_count = 0;
    }

    $post_count++;  // Increment counter with each post

    // Insert the ad after the 3rd and 5th posts
    if ($post_count == 3 || $post_count == 5 || $post_count == 7) {
        echo '<div class="custom-ad">
                <h4>Sponsored Ad</h4>
                <p>'. do_shortcode('[ADD YOUR SHORTCODE HERE]') .'</p>
            </div>';
    }
}
add_action('kadence_loop_entry', 'kadence_insert_ad_after_posts', 20);

If you have more than 10 post in your archive page ( this is per page) you can adjust this line to display more:

if ($post_count == 3 || $post_count == 5 || $post_count == 7) {
to
if ($post_count == 3 || $post_count == 5 || $post_count == 7 || $post_count == 10) {
So just add a higher number at the end. || $post_count == 12

function kadence_insert_ad_after_posts($post_id) {
    global $post_count;

    // Initialize counter if not set
    if (!isset($post_count)) {
        $post_count = 0;
    }

    $post_count++;  // Increment counter with each post

    // Insert the ad every 3rd post
    if ($post_count % 3 == 0) {
        echo '<div class="custom-ad">
                <h4>Sponsored Ad</h4>
                <p>' . do_shortcode('[ADD YOUR SHORTCODE HERE]') . '</p>
              </div>';
    }
}
add_action('kadence_loop_entry', 'kadence_insert_ad_after_posts', 20);

Please style the ad block to match your website!

*This is my CSS for the ad block.

.custom-ad {
    margin: 20px 0; 
    padding: 15px; 
    background: #F1F3F4; 
    text-align: center;
    border-top: 2px solid #595957!important;
    border-left: 1px solid #DCDCDE!important;
    border-right: 1px solid #DCDCDE!important;
    border-bottom: 1px solid #DCDCDE!important;
    box-shadow: 0px 0px 1px rgb(0 0 0 / 10%), 0px 4px 8px rgb(0 0 0 / 10%)!important;
    
}

Notes:

“These scripts, CSS styles, and plugins are designed to work best with minimal interference from themes or other plugins. If conflicts arise, adjustments may be needed.
Please note that they must be used as is.”

Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!

Wp Scriptly