Your WordPress site may be using Google Fonts without your awareness.
Many themes automatically load these fonts from Google’s servers, which can lead to slower website performance and privacy issues for visitors in certain areas.
The good news is that turning off Google Fonts is simpler than you might expect, and it can actually enhance your site’s performance.
Through our experience with WordPress sites, we’ve discovered that eliminating these external font requests often boosts loading speeds and provides greater control over your site’s visual style.
In this guide, we will walk you through two easy methods to disable Google Fonts on your WordPress site, whether you prefer to use system fonts or host your typography locally.
Reasons to Disable Google Fonts on Your WordPress Site
The font choices for your WordPress website significantly influence its design and brand identity. This is why many website owners opt to customize their typography using Google Fonts.
However, using too many fonts can negatively affect your WordPress site’s performance. Therefore, we recommend selecting just two fonts to use consistently throughout your website.
You can completely disable Google Fonts and opt for the system fonts available on the user’s computer. These fonts not only look appealing but also load significantly faster, particularly for users with slower internet connections.
This is why we chose to remove Google Fonts during the redesign of the CanadaCreate website. Our goal was to make learning WordPress accessible to everyone and help them grow their online presence, even with less reliable internet connections.
While disabling Google Fonts might not be suitable for every business website or blog, it can enhance the user experience for visitors from regions with poor internet connectivity.
Additionally, there are privacy concerns associated with Google Fonts that could lead to non-compliance with regulations such as GDPR. By disabling Google Fonts, you reduce the risk of your site violating international privacy laws.
Now, let’s explore the steps to disable Google Fonts in WordPress.
How to Disable Google Fonts in WordPress Using a Plugin
Begin by installing and activating the Disable and Remove Google Fonts plugin. For detailed instructions, refer to our step-by-step guide on installing a WordPress plugin.
Once activated, the plugin will automatically disable all Google Fonts utilized by your theme and plugins without requiring any additional configuration.
WordPress will now replace any previously used Google Fonts with a default font. Be sure to review your website to ensure you are satisfied with the new font selections.
If you wish to select different fonts, refer to our guide on changing fonts in your WordPress theme.
How to Disable Google Fonts in OptinMonster
OptinMonster is the leading lead-generation plugin for WordPress, currently used by over 1.2 million websites to enhance their email lists, boost sales, and generate more leads.
At CanadaCreate, we also utilize OptinMonster to create newsletter popups and have had a fantastic experience. Check out our OptinMonster review for more details.
However, this tool defaults to using Google Fonts. Fortunately, disabling them is a straightforward process.
How to Disable Google Fonts in Specific OptinMonster Campaigns
Start by visiting the OptinMonster website and logging into your Campaign Dashboard. Next, select a campaign and click the ‘Edit Campaign’ button.
This action will launch the OptinMonster Campaign Builder.
First, click on the ‘Settings’ icon located in the bottom left corner of the footer bar.
In the sidebar, select the ‘Advanced’ tab.
Scroll down to the ‘Display Settings’ section and switch ‘Enable web fonts?’ to the off position.
After clicking the ‘Save’ button at the top of the screen, third-party fonts will be disabled for that campaign.
You will need to repeat these steps for each campaign from which you want to remove Google Fonts.
Disabling Google Fonts for All OptinMonster Campaigns
If you are comfortable adding JavaScript code snippets to your site, you can disable Google Fonts across all OptinMonster campaigns simultaneously.
To disable Google Fonts in every campaign, add this snippet to your website’s header or footer:
<script type="text/javascript">
document.addEventListener('om.Scripts.init', function(event) {
event.detail.Scripts.enabled.fonts.googleFonts = false;
});
</script>
If you want to disable all web fonts, including Google Fonts and FontAwesome, add this code snippet:
<script type="text/javascript">
document.addEventListener('om.Scripts.init', function(event) {
event.detail.Scripts.enabled.fonts = false;
});
</script>
The simplest way to add code snippets is through WPCode, the most powerful code snippet plugin for WordPress. It allows you to effortlessly insert custom code throughout your site, and best of all, it’s completely free.
First, install and activate the free WPCode plugin. For detailed instructions, check out our step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
After activation, navigate to Code Snippets » Headers & Footers.
Just paste the code snippet into the Header field and click the ‘Save Changes’ button.
Frequently Asked Questions: Disabling Google Fonts in WordPress
Here are some common questions from our readers regarding the process of disabling Google Fonts in WordPress:
Is turning off Google Fonts beneficial for SEO or site performance?
Disabling Google Fonts can enhance your site’s performance by minimizing external requests, particularly on slower connections or mobile devices. A faster website typically leads to improved SEO.
The effect is generally minimal unless your website utilizes numerous font styles. If you’re prioritizing speed optimization or compliance with GDPR, it makes sense to disable them.
Will turning off Google Fonts disrupt my site’s design?
It may alter the appearance of your text, particularly if your theme depends significantly on custom fonts for its design. However, your site will not break or crash. To keep your design intact:
- Substitute Google Fonts with web-safe system fonts such as Arial, Georgia, or Helvetica.
- Alternatively, download and host the Google Fonts on your server to maintain the same typography without making requests to Google.
This approach allows you to preserve your design while enhancing privacy and loading speed.
How can I determine if my WordPress theme is utilizing Google Fonts?
To check if your theme is loading Google Fonts, you can use tools like:
- Developer Tools in your browser (search for
fonts.googleapis.comin the Network tab) - GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights (review the list of external requests)
- WordPress plugins such as Asset CleanUp or Query Monitor.
If you find a reference to fonts.googleapis.com or fonts.gstatic.com, then your site is indeed loading fonts from Google.
Comprehensive Guides on Fonts in WordPress
We hope this tutorial has helped you understand how to disable Google Fonts on your WordPress site. You may also find these related articles on WordPress fonts helpful:
- Making Google Fonts Compliant with Privacy Standards
- Incorporating Custom Fonts into Your WordPress Site
- Properly Integrating Google Web Fonts into WordPress Themes
- Modifying Fonts in Your WordPress Theme
- Hosting Local Fonts in WordPress for Improved Site Speed
- Easily Adjusting Font Size in WordPress
- Changing Text Color in WordPress
- Top WordPress Typography Plugins to Enhance Your Design
- Adding Stunning Typography to WordPress with Typekit
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