Insert Content In Between Post Feed

I am a bit lost and looking for guidance. I have a homepage that lists blog posts. However after every 3rd post (we'll call this the "Main Feed") I want to add a section in between that looks different and calls a specific category. After that section I want the "Main Feed" to continue.

I've only ever had to call one section at a time and really looking for some guidance. I appreciate the help greatly!

Main Feed

<?php query_posts('cat=-20'); while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?> 
    <div>
      <h2><?php the_title(); ?></h2>
      <p><?php echo get_the_excerpt(); ?></p>
    </div>


<?php endwhile; ?>  
<?php wp_reset_query(); ?>

This Should Interrupt Main Feed Once Every 3 Posts

<?php query_posts(''cat=3&posts_per_page=2''); while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?> 
    <div>
      <h2><?php the_title(); ?></h2>
      <p><?php echo get_the_excerpt(); ?></p>
    </div>


<?php endwhile; ?>  
<?php wp_reset_query(); ?>

This Should Interrupt Main Feed Once Every 3 Posts

<?php query_posts(''cat=4&posts_per_page=2''); while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?> 
    <div>
      <h2><?php the_title(); ?></h2>
      <p><?php echo get_the_excerpt(); ?></p>
    </div>


<?php endwhile; ?>  
<?php wp_reset_query(); ?>

I'd like this repeating pattern where specific categories are inserted throughout the main feed every 3 posts.

I am a bit lost and looking for guidance. I have a homepage that lists blog posts. However after every 3rd post (we'll call this the "Main Feed") I want to add a section in between that looks different and calls a specific category. After that section I want the "Main Feed" to continue.

I've only ever had to call one section at a time and really looking for some guidance. I appreciate the help greatly!

Main Feed

<?php query_posts('cat=-20'); while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?> 
    <div>
      <h2><?php the_title(); ?></h2>
      <p><?php echo get_the_excerpt(); ?></p>
    </div>


<?php endwhile; ?>  
<?php wp_reset_query(); ?>

This Should Interrupt Main Feed Once Every 3 Posts

<?php query_posts(''cat=3&posts_per_page=2''); while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?> 
    <div>
      <h2><?php the_title(); ?></h2>
      <p><?php echo get_the_excerpt(); ?></p>
    </div>


<?php endwhile; ?>  
<?php wp_reset_query(); ?>

This Should Interrupt Main Feed Once Every 3 Posts

<?php query_posts(''cat=4&posts_per_page=2''); while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?> 
    <div>
      <h2><?php the_title(); ?></h2>
      <p><?php echo get_the_excerpt(); ?></p>
    </div>


<?php endwhile; ?>  
<?php wp_reset_query(); ?>

I'd like this repeating pattern where specific categories are inserted throughout the main feed every 3 posts.

• posts
• get-posts

Share Improve this question edited Dec 17, 2018 at 17:04 user5854648 asked Dec 17, 2018 at 16:51 user5854648user5854648 1631717 bronze badges 4

• show the code that displays your posts on the homepage – RiddleMeThis Commented Dec 17, 2018 at 16:56
• Sure thing, I've gone ahead and added the code with additional explanation, hope that helps. Thanks! – user5854648 Commented Dec 17, 2018 at 17:04
• Related: It's not a good idea to use query_posts(). – Pat J Commented Dec 17, 2018 at 19:20
• ...Though on second reading, I note you're using wp_reset_query(), which is good practice if you insist on using query_posts(). – Pat J Commented Dec 17, 2018 at 19:28

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1 Answer 1

Sorted by: Reset to default 0

I've found old pieces of code and joined it with yours. It could be more elegant, but you have the idea.

<?php
$args = array(
    'category__not_in' => array( 20 ),
);

$query = new WP_Query( $args );
$posts = $query->posts;
wp_reset_postdata();

$post_counter = 1;

// secondary posts' categories (ids)
$sec_categories = [2, 14, 56, 234];
$cat_counter = 0;


foreach( $posts as $post ) {
    echo '<h1>' . $post->post_title . '</h1>';
    echo '<p>' . $post->post_excerpt . '</p>';

    // after each 3rd post goes (two) secondary
    if( $post_counter % 3 == 0 ) {
        query_posts( 'cat=' . $sec_categories[$cat_counter] . '&posts_per_page=2' );
        while ( have_posts() ) {
            the_post();
            echo '<h2>' . get_the_title() . '</h2>';
            echo '<p>' . get_the_excerpt() . '</p>';
        }

        wp_reset_query();

        $cat_counter++;
    }

    $post_counter++;
}

You have to think out how to choose categories for secondary posts