Widget Context Review - In-Depth Analysis
Show and hide widgets on specific posts, pages, and sections of your site.
Performance Overview
User Rating
4.5/5 (based on 96+
reviews)
Active Installations
40,000+
Update Frequency
Average
It is calculated using the weighted average of same category
plugins.
Security Score
1 / 10
(Very Low Risk)
It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.
What It Does
Use Widget Context to show and hide widgets on certain sections of your site - front page, posts, pages, archives, search, etc. Use targeting by URLs with wildcard support for maximum flexibility.
Widget visibility can be configured under individual widget settings under 'Appearance → Widgets' in your WordPress administration area or through the widget editing interface in the Customizer.
The 'Target by URL' feature allows targeting sections of your website based on the request URLs. It supports relative URLs for flexibility across different domains and server environments.
Use the wildcard symbol '*' for matching dynamic parts of the URL. For example, you can match all posts in a specific category or all child pages of a parent page.
Comparing to Alternatives
Widget Context stands out as a specialized tool for controlling widget visibility based on context, offering unique features compared to other plugins.
Strengths
- Provides granular control over widget display based on post types and other conditions.
- Simple interface for setting widget visibility rules.
- Reliable performance for most use cases.
- Supports multiple conditions for widget display.
Weaknesses
- Lacks selection based on page slug, limiting some targeting options.
- Compatibility issues with the new Gutenberg Widget editor.
- Somewhat complex for users seeking very simple widget placement.
- Limited support and updates reported by some users.
User Sentiment Analysis
User feedback highlights the plugin's effectiveness but also points out areas needing improvement.
Positive highlights
- 'Excellent plugin! Solved a problem that was breaking my mind.' - fernandokerber
- 'Does what it says. Very good.' - maxxtrosweden
- 'A MUST for every installation of WordPress.' - dimal
- 'Excellent plugin for controlling where your widget appears.' - JomJalan
Common complaints
- No option to select widgets based on page slug, which is a basic need for some users.
- Does not work well with the new Gutenberg Widget editor.
- Reported lack of support and updates.
- Interface can be complicated for simple use cases.
Weaknesses
- Compatibility issues with Gutenberg widgets.
- Limited targeting options compared to user expectations.
- Support and maintenance concerns.
- User interface complexity for beginners.
Who Should Use This?
Best for
Users who need detailed control over widget visibility based on post types and other contextual conditions will find Widget Context very useful.
Not ideal for
Those who require widget display control based on page slugs or who rely heavily on the new Gutenberg Widget editor may find this plugin limiting or problematic.
Pricing & Value
Free version includes
The free version offers essential features to control widget visibility based on various conditions, suitable for most standard needs.
Pro version
The pro version typically includes advanced targeting options, enhanced compatibility, and priority support, although specific details are not clearly promoted.
Final Verdict
Widget Context is a powerful plugin for users needing precise control over widget display, especially based on post types and other contexts. It is praised for solving complex widget placement issues effectively.
However, its limitations with page slug targeting and compatibility with the new Gutenberg Widget editor, along with reported support issues, suggest that users should evaluate their specific needs before choosing this plugin.
Other Notable Features
Here are a few other notable features of this free
Widget Context plugin.
Contributors and developers
“Widget Context”
is open source software. The following people have
contributed to this plugin.