WordPress Dashboard: A Complete Tour for First-Time Users in 2025

Introduction

Congratulations on setting up your WordPress website! Whether you’re creating a blog, business site, online store, or portfolio, you’ve chosen the world’s most popular content management system (CMS). At the heart of your new WordPress website lies the Dashboard—your website’s control center where all the magic happens.

The WordPress Dashboard might seem overwhelming at first glance, with its numerous menus, settings, and options. However, once you understand its layout and functionality, you’ll discover that it’s designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, even for complete beginners.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every aspect of the WordPress Dashboard, explaining each section’s purpose, functionality, and how to use it effectively. By the end of this tour, you’ll feel confident navigating your WordPress admin area and ready to start building and managing your website with ease.

Whether you’re a blogger, business owner, designer, or content creator, mastering the WordPress Dashboard is your first step toward creating a successful online presence. Let’s begin our exploration of this powerful website management interface.

Accessing Your WordPress Dashboard

Before we dive into the details, let’s start with how to access your WordPress Dashboard:

Login Process

1. Navigate to your website’s login URL by adding “/wp-admin” or “/login” to your domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com/wp-admin)
2. Enter your username or email address and password
3. Click the “Log In” button

If this is your first time logging in after installation, you’ll use the credentials you set during the WordPress setup process. If someone else set up your site, they should have provided you with login details.

Login Security Best Practices

As you get started, keep these security tips in mind:

• Create a strong, unique password for your WordPress admin account
• Consider enabling two-factor authentication using a security plugin
• Avoid logging in on public or unsecured networks
• Log out when you’re finished, especially on shared computers
• Change your WordPress login URL using security plugins (advanced)

Common Login Issues and Solutions

If you’re having trouble accessing your Dashboard:

• Forgot password? Use the “Lost your password?” link on the login page
• Login redirect loop? Clear your browser cookies or try a different browser
• Locked out? Contact your hosting provider or use FTP to access files if you have technical knowledge

The Dashboard Home Screen: First Impressions

Once logged in, you’ll land on the main Dashboard screen, which serves as your website’s homepage control center.

Welcome Message and Overview

At the top of the screen, you’ll typically see a welcome message: “Welcome to WordPress!” This section often contains quick links to common setup tasks for new users.

At a Glance Widget

This section provides a snapshot of your content, showing:

• How many posts, pages, and comments your site has
• Which WordPress version you’re running
• Your current theme
• Quick status indicators for your site’s health

Activity Widget

The Activity section shows:

• Recently published content
• Recent comments requiring moderation or response
• Upcoming scheduled posts

Quick Draft Widget

This handy tool lets you quickly jot down ideas for future content without going through the full post editor:

• Add a title
• Write some brief content
• Save as a draft for later completion

WordPress News Widget

This section displays:

• Latest updates from the WordPress project
• News about WordPress features, security, and events
• Tips for getting more from your WordPress site

Customizing Your Dashboard Home

You can personalize your Dashboard home screen by:

• Clicking “Screen Options” in the upper right corner to show/hide widgets
• Dragging and dropping widgets to rearrange them
• Minimizing widgets by clicking the toggle arrow in their upper right corner
• Adding custom widgets through certain plugins

The Left Sidebar: Your Navigation Hub

The most important navigational element in the WordPress Dashboard is the left sidebar menu. This menu contains links to all major sections of your website’s admin area.

Dashboard Home Link

The first item in the menu returns you to the main Dashboard screen from anywhere in the admin area.

Updates Section

This critical section shows:

• Available WordPress core updates
• Theme update notifications
• Plugin update notifications
• Translation updates

Maintaining regular updates is essential for security and functionality. A red circle with a number indicates how many updates are available.

Posts Section

The Posts menu handles all aspects of blog content:

• All Posts: View, edit, and manage all existing posts
• Add New: Create a new blog post
• Categories: Organize posts into topic groups
• Tags: Add keyword labels to posts for better organization and SEO

Media Library

The Media section stores and manages all uploaded files:

• Images, photos, and graphics
• Documents (PDFs, spreadsheets, etc.)
• Audio files
• Video files
• Other downloadable content

Pages Section

Unlike chronological posts, Pages are for static, timeless content:

• All Pages: View and manage existing pages
• Add New: Create a new page
• Create parent-child relationships between pages for hierarchical structure

Comments Section

Manage visitor interactions through:

• Approving or rejecting comments
• Responding to comments
• Filtering comments by status
• Managing comment spam

Appearance Section

Control your website’s look and feel with:

• Themes: Install, activate, and customize WordPress themes
• Customize: Make visual changes to your active theme
• Widgets: Add functional content blocks to your sidebar, footer, and other widget areas
• Menus: Create and manage navigation menus
• Theme Editor: Direct access to theme files (use with caution)

Plugins Section

Extend WordPress functionality through:

• Installed Plugins: View, activate, deactivate, and delete existing plugins
• Add New: Find and install new plugins from the WordPress repository
• Plugin Editor: Direct access to plugin files (use with extreme caution)

Users Section

Manage website accounts and access:

• All Users: View and manage user accounts
• Add New: Create new user accounts
• Your Profile: Edit your personal user information and preferences

Tools Section

Access utility functions:

• Available Tools: Access built-in utilities
• Import: Bring content from other platforms
• Export: Back up your content
• Site Health: Check system status and issues
• Additional tools added by plugins

Settings Section

Configure your website’s core functionality:

• General: Site title, tagline, URL, date format, etc.
• Writing: Default post categories, formats, etc.
• Reading: Homepage display, blog pages, search engine visibility
• Discussion: Comment settings and moderation
• Media: Image sizes and uploading directories
• Permalinks: URL structure for your content
• Privacy: Privacy policy page settings

Collapse Menu Button

At the bottom of the sidebar, a small icon allows you to collapse the menu to icons only, giving you more screen space when working in the admin area.

Exploring the Posts Section in Detail

Since content creation is central to most WordPress websites, let’s explore the Posts section in greater detail.

All Posts Screen

The All Posts screen displays your existing blog posts with:

• Title
• Author
• Categories and tags
• Comments status
• Publication date

Key features of this screen include:

• Bulk selection for managing multiple posts at once
• Quick Edit for fast updates without opening the full editor
• Filter and search options to find specific posts
• List/excerpt view toggling
• Trash functionality for deleted posts

Creating a New Post

The Add New Post screen introduces you to the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg), featuring:

• Title field: Where you enter your post headline
• Block inserter (+): Add various content blocks
• Content area: Where you build your post using blocks
• Settings sidebar: Configure post settings and block properties
• Preview button: See how your post will look before publishing
• Publish options: Schedule, save drafts, or publish immediately

Understanding Post Blocks

The Block Editor uses a modular approach to content creation with blocks for:

• Paragraphs, headings, and lists
• Images, galleries, and media embeds
• Quotes and pullquotes
• Tables and columns
• Buttons and call-to-action elements
• Custom HTML and shortcodes
• Embeds from YouTube, Twitter, and other services

Each block has its own formatting options accessible through the block toolbar and sidebar.

Post Settings Sidebar

The right sidebar contains essential post settings:

• Status & Visibility: Public/private/password protected
• Permalinks: Custom URL structure
• Categories: Topic classification
• Tags: Keyword labeling
• Featured Image: Main visual for the post
• Excerpt: Summary of the post
• Discussion: Enable/disable comments
• Additional settings added by plugins

Categories and Tags Management

These organizational tools help structure your content:

• Categories: Broad topic groups, hierarchical (can have parent-child relationships)
• Tags: Specific keywords, non-hierarchical

Both help readers find related content and improve SEO by establishing topical relevance.

Working with Media Library

The Media Library stores all files uploaded to your WordPress site. Understanding this section is crucial for managing your site’s visual and downloadable assets.

Uploading New Media

Add files through:

• The Upload New button in the Media Library
• The Add Media button in post/page editors
• Drag-and-drop in compatible areas
• Media blocks in the Block Editor

Organizing Your Media

Keep your media organized with:

• Grid view: Visual thumbnail display
• List view: Detailed information in columns
• Search function: Find media by name
• Filter options: Sort by date, type, etc.
• Bulk selection: Select multiple items for actions

Editing Media Properties

For each media item, you can edit:

• Title: The name of the file in WordPress
• Caption: Short text displayed below media on the site
• Alt Text: Description for screen readers and SEO (important for accessibility)
• Description: Longer explanation of the media item
• URL: The direct link to the file

Image Editing Tools

Basic image manipulation is available within WordPress:

• Crop
• Rotate
• Scale
• Custom aspect ratios
• Undo/redo changes

Page Management

Pages differ from posts in important ways. Let’s explore the Pages section of your Dashboard.

Creating Basic Pages

Every website usually needs these standard pages:

• Home: Your website’s front door
• About: Information about you, your business, or organization
• Contact: How visitors can reach you
• Products/Services: What you offer
• Privacy Policy: Required legal information

Page Attributes and Templates

Pages have special attributes not available to posts:

• Parent Page: Create hierarchical relationships
• Template: Apply specific layouts from your theme
• Order: Control the display order in menus and listings

Page vs. Post: When to Use Each

Understanding the difference helps you structure your site correctly:

• Use pages for: Timeless, standalone content (About, Contact, Services)
• Use posts for: Chronological, date-based content (news, updates, blog entries)

Customizing Your Site’s Appearance

The Appearance section lets you control how your website looks to visitors.

Themes Management

Your theme determines your site’s visual design:

• Browse themes: Explore free themes in the WordPress repository
• Upload themes: Add premium themes purchased elsewhere
• Preview: See how a theme looks before activating
• Customize: Modify theme settings
• Theme details: View information about each theme

Using the Customizer

The WordPress Customizer provides a visual editing interface with live preview:

• Site Identity: Logo, title, tagline, favicon
• Colors: Custom color schemes
• Typography: Font styles and sizes
• Layout Options: Content arrangement
• Menus: Navigation structure
• Widgets: Sidebar and footer content
• Homepage Settings: Static page or recent posts
• Additional CSS: Custom styling code

Changes made in the Customizer don’t go live until you click “Publish.”

Creating Navigation Menus

Website navigation is crucial for user experience:

• Create multiple menus for different locations (header, footer, sidebar)
• Add pages, posts, categories, custom links
• Create dropdown sub-menus through nesting
• Assign menus to theme locations
• Add CSS classes for custom styling

Working with Widgets

Widgets add functionality to specific areas of your site:

• Common widget areas: Sidebar, footer, header
• Available widgets: Recent posts, categories, custom HTML, text
• Widget blocks: Modern block-based widget management
• Third-party widgets: Added by plugins for expanded functionality

Extending Functionality with Plugins

The Plugins section allows you to add new features to your WordPress site.

Finding and Installing Plugins

Discover plugins through:

• WordPress Plugin Repository: Free, vetted plugins
• Feature search: Find plugins by needed functionality
• Popular/Recommended tabs: Discover widely-used options
• Manual upload: Add premium plugins purchased elsewhere

Essential Plugins for Beginners

Consider these plugin categories for a well-rounded site:

• SEO: Yoast SEO, Rank Math, or All in One SEO
• Security: Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security
• Forms: WPForms, Contact Form 7, or Gravity Forms
• Backups: UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or Jetpack Backups
• Caching/Performance: WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache, or WP Rocket
• Analytics: MonsterInsights, Matomo, or Site Kit by Google

Managing Active Plugins

Keep your plugins healthy by:

• Regularly updating for security and features
• Deactivating and deleting unused plugins
• Checking compatibility when updating WordPress core
• Monitoring for conflicts with other plugins
• Reviewing performance impact

Plugin Settings

Most plugins add their own menu items to the Dashboard:

• Some appear as top-level menu items in the sidebar
• Others are found under existing menus like Settings or Tools
• More complex plugins may create entirely new Dashboard sections

Always configure plugin settings after installation to ensure optimal functionality.

Managing Users and Permissions

The Users section handles account management and access control.

WordPress User Roles

WordPress includes several predefined roles with different capabilities:

1. Administrator: Complete access to all features and settings
2. Editor: Can publish and manage all content, including others’ posts
3. Author: Can publish and manage their own posts
4. Contributor: Can write and manage posts but not publish them
5. Subscriber: Can only manage their own profile and leave comments

Choose roles carefully based on the level of access each user should have.

Creating and Managing User Accounts

When adding new users:

• Provide a valid email address
• Assign the appropriate user role
• Set a strong password or allow automatic generation
• Consider whether to send the new user a notification

Your Profile Settings

Customize your own user experience through:

• Personal Options: Interface preferences, color scheme
• Name Options: Display name format
• Contact Info: Email, website, social profiles
• About Yourself: Biographical information, profile picture
• Account Management: Password changes, personal data
• Additional settings added by plugins

Important Settings to Configure

The Settings section contains critical configuration options for your site.

General Settings

Basic website configuration:

• Site Title: Your website’s name (appears in browser tabs and search results)
• Tagline: Brief description of your site
• WordPress Address (URL): Technical URL of WordPress installation
• Site Address (URL): Public URL for your website
• Email Address: Admin email for notifications
• Membership: Allow/disallow user registration
• Default User Role: For new registrations
• Language: Admin interface language
• Timezone: Local time for scheduling and display
• Date and Time Format: How dates appear on your site

Reading Settings

Control how content is displayed:

• Your Homepage Displays: Latest posts or a static page
• Blog Pages Show at Most: Number of posts per page
• Syndication Feeds Show the Most Recent: Items in RSS feeds
• For Each Article in a Feed: Show full text or summary
• Search Engine Visibility: Discourage search engines from indexing (use with caution!)

Discussion Settings

Manage comments and notifications:

• Default Article Settings: Allow comments, trackbacks/pingbacks
• Other Comment Settings: Comment moderation rules, requirements
• Email Me Whenever: Notification preferences
• Before a Comment Appears: Moderation and approval settings
• Comment Moderation: Trigger words, links limits
• Disallowed Comment Keys: Automatic spam detection
• Avatars: Display settings for user images

Permalinks Settings

Define your URL structure:

• Plain: Basic query string (not recommended for SEO)
• Day and Name: Includes publication date
• Month and Name: Includes publication month
• Numeric: Based on post ID
• Post Name: Based on post title (most SEO-friendly)
• Custom Structure: Create your own URL pattern
• Category/Tag Base: Customize category and tag URL prefixes

Choosing an SEO-friendly permalink structure is crucial for search visibility and user experience. The “Post Name” option is generally recommended for most websites.

WordPress Toolbar

The black bar at the top of your screen when logged in is the WordPress Toolbar (formerly Admin Bar).

Key Toolbar Features

This persistent navigation element provides:

• Quick access to your site’s frontend
• New content creation shortcuts
• Updates notification
• Comments tracking
• User account menu
• Plugin-specific shortcuts

Customizing the Toolbar

You can control your Toolbar experience:

• Enable/disable in your profile settings
• Add/remove items through plugins
• Show/hide on the frontend

Maintaining Your WordPress Dashboard

Keeping your Dashboard running smoothly requires regular maintenance.

Regular Update Routine

Create a schedule to check and apply:

• WordPress core updates
• Theme updates
• Plugin updates

Consider setting automatic updates for minor releases and security patches.

Database Optimization

For better performance:

• Delete spam comments regularly
• Empty trash for posts, pages, and comments
• Consider database optimization plugins for larger sites
• Run regular database backups before major changes

Screen Options and Help Tabs

Don’t forget these useful features:

• Screen Options: Dropdown in the upper right of many Dashboard pages to customize what’s displayed
• Help tab: Contextual guidance for the current Dashboard section

Mobile Management

The WordPress mobile apps (iOS and Android) allow you to:

• Create and edit content on the go
• Moderate comments
• Check site stats
• Upload media from your mobile device
• Receive notifications

Helpful Dashboard Customizations

Make your WordPress admin experience more efficient with these customizations.

Admin Color Schemes

Personalize your visual experience:

1. Go to Users > Your Profile
2. Choose from available color schemes
3. Save your preferences

Dashboard Widgets

Streamline your main Dashboard by:

• Removing unnecessary widgets
• Adding custom welcome widgets for client sites
• Installing plugins that add useful Dashboard widgets (analytics, calendars, etc.)

Admin Menu Editor

For advanced users:

• Plugins like “Admin Menu Editor” allow rearranging the sidebar
• Hide menu items irrelevant to your workflow
• Group related items for easier access
• Customize menu permissions by user role

Troubleshooting Common Dashboard Issues

Even the best-maintained WordPress sites occasionally encounter issues.

White Screen of Death

If you see a blank white screen:

1. Check for plugin conflicts by deactivating all plugins
2. Switch to a default theme temporarily
3. Increase PHP memory limit if possible
4. Check server error logs
5. Restore from a backup if necessary

Lost Admin Access

If you can’t log in:

1. Use the password reset function
2. Check database connection
3. Verify admin user exists in the database
4. Reset credentials via phpMyAdmin (if you have technical knowledge)
5. Contact your hosting provider for assistance

Slow Dashboard

If your admin area is sluggish:

1. Deactivate and test plugins one by one
2. Clean up your database
3. Check with your host for server issues
4. Consider upgrading your hosting plan
5. Use a caching plugin

WordPress Dashboard in Different Contexts

The Dashboard experience varies based on your website’s purpose.

Business Website Dashboard

Key areas to focus on:

• Page management for your core business pages
• User management for staff access
• Contact form submissions
• SEO performance monitoring
• Analytics tracking

Blogging Dashboard

Prioritize these sections:

• Post management
• Categories and tags organization
• Comments moderation
• Media library for images
• Editorial calendar

E-commerce Dashboard

When running an online store:

• Product management
• Order processing
• Customer accounts
• Payment and shipping settings
• Inventory tracking

Membership Site Dashboard

Focus on these elements:

• Member management
• Content restriction settings
• Subscription levels
• Payment processing
• Member communication

Advanced Dashboard Features

As you become more comfortable with WordPress, explore these advanced capabilities.

REST API

The WordPress REST API allows:

• Headless WordPress implementations
• Custom application development
• Integration with external services
• Mobile app connections

Custom Post Types

Extend WordPress with specialized content types:

• Products
• Portfolio items
• Team members
• Testimonials
• Events
• Custom documentation

Multisite Network

For multiple related websites:

• Central dashboard for all sites
• Network-wide user management
• Shared themes and plugins
• Super admin capabilities

These advanced features allow WordPress to grow with your needs as your skills and requirements evolve.

Specialized Tools and Reports

Beyond basic content management, your Dashboard provides useful tools for site growth.

Site Health Tool

Located under Tools > Site Health, this feature:

• Checks for potential issues
• Verifies critical settings
• Provides server information
• Recommends improvements
• Monitors PHP version compatibility

Importer and Exporter Tools

Found under Tools, these utilities help you:

• Migrate content between WordPress sites
• Import from other platforms (Blogger, Tumblr, etc.)
• Create content backups
• Transfer categories, tags, and media

Custom Admin Reports

Enhance your Dashboard with reporting plugins for:

• User activity tracking
• Content production metrics
• SEO performance data
• E-commerce sales reporting
• Visitor behavior analytics

Platforms like CloudRank offer specialized WordPress analytics tools that integrate directly with your Dashboard, providing deeper insights into your website’s performance and optimization opportunities.

The Evolution of the WordPress Dashboard

The WordPress Dashboard continues to evolve with each new version. Recent and upcoming changes include:

Block Editor Integration

The Dashboard is increasingly aligned with the block editor experience, bringing:

• More consistent interfaces
• Visual editing capabilities throughout
• Drag-and-drop functionality in more areas
• Block patterns and templates

Performance Improvements

Recent updates focus on:

• Faster Dashboard loading
• Reduced server resource usage
• Better handling of large media libraries
• More efficient database queries

Accessibility Enhancements

WordPress is committed to making the Dashboard accessible to all users with:

• Improved screen reader compatibility
• Better keyboard navigation
• Enhanced color contrast
• Focus indicators for navigation

Staying updated with WordPress ensures you benefit from these ongoing improvements.

Best Practices for Dashboard Management

To get the most from your WordPress Dashboard:

Security Habits

Protect your admin area with:

• Strong passwords and two-factor authentication
• Limited login attempts
• Regular user audits
• Security plugins
• Careful plugin selection from reputable sources

Workflow Optimization

Improve your efficiency by:

• Learning keyboard shortcuts
• Creating templates for repeated content
• Using the Quick Draft widget
• Setting up content drafts in advance
• Mastering bulk actions for content management

Collaborative Management

When working with teams:

• Assign appropriate user roles
• Create editorial guidelines
• Establish publishing workflows
• Use editorial calendar plugins
• Implement content revision processes

Regular Maintenance Schedule

Keep your Dashboard running smoothly with:

• Weekly updates check
• Monthly content audit
• Quarterly user review
• Security scans on a regular schedule
• Database optimization when needed

Conclusion

The WordPress Dashboard is much more than a simple admin area—it’s a comprehensive website management system designed to grow with your needs. From creating your first post to managing complex e-commerce operations, the Dashboard provides the tools you need to succeed online.

As you spend more time working with the WordPress Dashboard, you’ll discover that its intuitive design hides powerful capabilities. The learning curve may seem steep at first, but each section is logically organized to help you manage your digital presence effectively.

Remember that the WordPress community offers extensive resources to help you master the Dashboard. From official documentation to tutorial videos, forums, and blogs, help is always available when you encounter challenges or want to learn new skills.

Whether you’re building a personal blog, business website, online store, or community platform, your journey begins with understanding the WordPress Dashboard. Take time to explore each section, experiment with different features, and customize your experience to match your workflow.

With the knowledge gained from this comprehensive tour, you’re well-equipped to begin creating and managing content, customizing your site’s appearance, extending functionality with plugins, and optimizing your website for your audience. Welcome to the world of WordPress—your digital canvas awaits!

FAQ: WordPress Dashboard for Beginners

How do I change the appearance of my WordPress Dashboard?

You can customize your Dashboard by adjusting the color scheme in Users > Your Profile, using the Screen Options tab to show/hide elements, and installing admin theme plugins for more dramatic changes. You can also collapse the left menu to create more workspace and rearrange Dashboard widgets by drag-and-drop.

Where can I find help if I get stuck while using the WordPress Dashboard?

WordPress provides contextual help through the Help tab in the upper right corner of each Dashboard screen. Additionally, the official WordPress.org forums, WordPress Codex, and support documentation are excellent resources. Many themes and plugins also offer their own documentation and support channels.

Can I access my WordPress Dashboard from my smartphone or tablet?

Yes, WordPress offers official mobile apps for iOS and Android that provide access to key Dashboard functions like content creation, comment moderation, and statistics. The web-based Dashboard is also mobile-responsive, allowing access from any device with a web browser, though some advanced functions work better on desktop devices.

How do I add new users to my WordPress site?

Navigate to Users > Add New in your Dashboard. Enter the new user’s username, email address, and other optional information. Assign an appropriate user role based on what permission level they should have. You can choose whether to send the new user a notification email with login information or set up their account silently.

What’s the difference between posts and pages in WordPress?

Posts are time-based content entries that appear in reverse chronological order on your blog page, can be categorized and tagged, and are included in your RSS feed. Pages are static, timeless content not tied to a specific date, often used for information that rarely changes like About or Contact pages. Pages can have parent-child relationships for hierarchical organization.

How do I install a new theme or plugin?

For themes, go to Appearance > Themes > Add New, then browse or search for themes and click Install followed by Activate. For plugins, navigate to Plugins > Add New, find your desired plugin, and click Install Now followed by Activate. Premium themes and plugins purchased elsewhere can be uploaded via the Upload Theme/Plugin button on the same pages.

What should I do if my WordPress Dashboard is loading very slowly?

Start by deactivating plugins one by one to identify if a specific plugin is causing the slowdown. Next, check with your hosting provider about server performance. Consider cleaning your database using a plugin like WP-Optimize, increasing your PHP memory limit if possible, and using a caching plugin to improve overall site performance.

Can I restrict access to certain parts of the Dashboard for different users?

Yes, WordPress’s built-in user roles (Administrator, Editor, Author, etc.) provide different levels of access to Dashboard features. For more granular control, plugins like User Role Editor or Members allow you to create custom roles and specify exactly which Dashboard components and functions each user can access.

How do I create a navigation menu for my website?

Go to Appearance > Menus in your Dashboard. Create a new menu by giving it a name and clicking Create Menu. Add pages, posts, custom links, or categories by checking items from the left panels and clicking Add to Menu. Arrange items by dragging them, and create dropdowns by dragging items slightly to the right to indent them. Finally, select a display location and save.

Is there a way to recover deleted content in WordPress?

Recently deleted posts and pages can be found in their respective Trash sections. In the All Posts or All Pages screens, click on the Trash link to view deleted items. You can then restore them individually or in bulk. Note that items remain in the Trash for 30 days by default before being permanently deleted. Comments have a similar Trash recovery system.