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Custom Query Blocks

By Ronald Huereca

Site Structure & Navigation / Menu Management & Mega Menus

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Custom Query Blocks Review - In-Depth Analysis

Map your archives to pages with this plugin. Customize 404 and term archives easily. Works with Gutenberg blocks.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.64/10

User Rating

4.6/5 (based on 25+ reviews)

Active Installations

700+

Update Frequency

Very Good It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

This WordPress plugin allows you to display posts and terms, such as categories, using a Gutenberg block. It is designed to work seamlessly with posts, pages, custom post types, taxonomies, and terms.

One of its key features is archive mapping, enabling you to customize your post type and term archive pages. You can also map your 404 template to a page for easy customization.

The plugin includes three blocks: Custom Post Types Block, Term (Category) Grid Block, and Featured Posts by Category Block. Each block provides unique functionalities to enhance your site's content display.

For post type archive mapping, simply create a page and set it as your archive page in the Reading settings. This allows you to show page content instead of the default archive content.

Similarly, you can map term archives by creating a public page and selecting it in the term edit page. This lets you customize your term archives using Gutenberg.

Additionally, you can map a page to your 404 template, giving you full control over your site's error page presentation.

Comparing to Alternatives

Custom Query Blocks offers a unique combination of custom query blocks and archive page mapping, setting it apart from other plugins in its category. Its closest alternative is Query Wrangler, which focuses primarily on query building without the archive mapping feature.

Top alternatives

Query Wrangler ( WPS: 7.11)

Strengths

Combines custom query blocks with archive page mapping in one plugin
Supports drawing from any and all CPT taxonomies in term grids
Highly rated for its custom query block functionality
Offers useful features for Gutenberg block editor users

Weaknesses

Archive mapping feature can cause conflicts and is not easily disabled
Some users find the combination of features confusing or unwieldy
Security vulnerabilities have been identified and fixed in recent versions
Limited embellishments for term grids, such as image support

User Sentiment Analysis

With a strong majority of 5-star and 4-star ratings, users appreciate the plugin's custom query block and archive mapping features. However, a small minority report issues primarily related to the archive mapping functionality causing site problems.

Positive highlights

"Very useful plugin particularly the archive page mapping feature." — Earl_D
"The Post Query functionality is the best I've found." — Jeremi
"Very handy in adding small blocks of posts from a taxonomy." — Ryan Bakker
"An indispensable plugin for mapping archives to pages." — PeterBP
"Custom query block is beyond fantastic." — Erica Franz (positive about query block)

Common complaints

Archive mapping feature breaks existing archives causing 404 errors or incorrect content display
No option to disable the mapping functionality independently
Mapping feature feels like it should be a separate plugin
Mapping feature compromises overall plugin usefulness for some users

Weaknesses

Security vulnerabilities related to stored cross-site scripting and missing authorization in older versions
Mapping feature can cause significant site issues if misconfigured
Limited customization options for term grids

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who need both custom query blocks for Gutenberg and archive page mapping in a single plugin, especially those comfortable managing archive mappings carefully.

Not ideal for

Users who only want custom query blocks without archive mapping, or those who prefer separate plugins for these features. Also, users concerned about past security issues should ensure they use the latest version.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version includes the core custom query block and archive page mapping features, sufficient for most users needing these functionalities.

Pro version

The pro version typically offers enhanced features such as advanced query options, additional customization for blocks, and priority support.

Final Verdict

Custom Query Blocks is a powerful and versatile plugin that combines custom query blocks with archive page mapping, making it a valuable tool for advanced WordPress users. Its high user ratings reflect strong satisfaction with its core features, especially the custom query block functionality.

However, the archive mapping feature can cause significant issues and may not suit all users, and past security vulnerabilities highlight the importance of keeping the plugin updated. Users should weigh the benefits against these considerations and explore alternatives like Query Wrangler if they prefer a more focused query builder.