You update WooCommerce product prices, descriptions, or inventory. WP Last Modified Info still shows old date. Customers think products are outdated. That is frustrating because you actively manage your store.
A common issue is that WooCommerce updates products via AJAX or background processes. These updates may not trigger the post_modified field update. The plugin is not broken. WooCommerce updates differently than standard posts.
Why Product Modified Dates Do Not Update
WordPress stores post_modified date when you click “Update” button in editor. WooCommerce updates products in different ways: quick edit, bulk edit, import via CSV, API updates, inventory changes via AJAX. Some of these bypass the post_modified update. Product changes but date stays old.
This is not WP Last Modified Info being bad. WooCommerce update methods skip WordPress hooks.
The Most Common Product Date Update Failures
- Quick Edit (changing price or stock via inline edit)
- Bulk Edit (updating multiple products at once)
- WooCommerce CSV import (product import from file)
- Inventory changes via AJAX (when customer buys)
- REST API updates (external systems)
Each method may skip post_modified update.
How to Fix Product Modified Dates in WooCommerce
- Install Product Update Helper plugin
- Or add custom code to update post_modified on product save
- For existing products, bulk update using WP CLI
- Use manual edit for important products (click Update button)
- Disable WP Last Modified Info for products (show publish date instead)
Manual edit always updates date.
Custom Code to Force Product Date Update
Add to functions.php:
add_action('save_post_product', function($post_id) {
remove_action('save_post_product', 'update_post_modified');
wp_update_post(array('ID' => $post_id, 'post_modified' => current_time('mysql')));
add_action('save_post_product', 'update_post_modified');
});
This forces post_modified update on every product save.
Alternative: Show Publish Date Instead of Modified Date
For products, customers care about availability, not last edit. Show publish date or no date. Change WP Last Modified Info settings to show nothing for products. Use only for blog posts.
Go to settings → Post types → Disable for products.
People Also Ask About Product Modified Dates
Why does my WooCommerce product show old last modified date?
WooCommerce quick edit and bulk edit do not update post_modified. Use manual edit.
Should I stop using WP Last Modified Info for products?
Yes. Show publish date or no date. Modified date not useful for products.
Is WP Last Modified Info worse than Product Last Modified plugin?
All face same WooCommerce issue. Use publish date for products.
Final Thoughts
If WP Last Modified Info shows wrong product dates, use manual edit for important updates. Or disable plugin for products. Publish date is more relevant for store items.