Enormous .htaccess file with repetitive content

I’m pretty sure you are using other plugins writing to .htaccess, I’m using this plugin rules, plus W3 Total Cache rules, plus custom rewrite rules and I have only 500 lines, 19805 characters. Of course the rules could be parsed and rewritten into httpd.conf more concise and efficient directives, instead of .htaccess rules, but in shared hosting we have not that feature.

You really should check what’s going with your .htaccess, dude, this is the reason why this plugins recommends blocking the write permissions on wp-config and htaccess.

Hi Jesus,
Thanks for your help!

I did have another plugin, “Bulletproof Security” installed but found that it was too much hassle – everytime I changed anything I had to set up BPS again. And Better WP Security does most of the same things. After speaking with hostgator technical support and someone who knows about this stuff, I’ve deleted all but one set of the lines and all seems well so far! I’m still baffled how it got like that and I have blocked write permissions on wp-config and htaccess as you suggested.
Would it have been slowing down my site ?
BWs
James

Good job James!

Of course, there is a performance hit for every directive on .htaccess, and every .htaccess file. But some directives can help you gain a bit of performance for your site, like instructing browsers to cache static files, or redirect requests for pages prerendered to cached versions rather than processing every time the same request through all the code of you WP site.

I’d recommend you try W3 Total Cache and CloudFlare, these things properly configured can be a real boost to the performance of your site. Also, I don’t know if hostgator supports fastcgi, but if your site has a lot of traffic, it can be a real easy boost. CloudFlare is very easy to set up, and maybe hostgator is already partnering with them, then the set up is just a matter of registering your account, then make some clicks in your CPanel.

Finally, don’t forget mark this thread as resolved, please.

Good luck with your site!

Hi Jesus,
Thanks for your help, here. I’ve found some advice on setting up W3 Total Cache (all those settings had always put me off) and the lines for browser caching.

BWs
James