Our new Query Loop block in GenerateBlocks 1.5.0 is now available! You can check out the release post here.
WP Show Posts was a plugin born out of necessity. At the time of release, there was no better way to display a list of posts wherever you wanted on your website. Over the years we saw it put to a much wider variety of uses. From a static archive page to a related posts section, custom featured post heroes to complex layouts for magazine-style websites – the applications seemed endless.
However, this wide range of uses generally relied on custom development. Our support forums can testify to that – filled with numerous code snippets and custom CSS. It’s something we like doing, helping others create new designs and features for their WordPress websites. But custom solutions are just not sustainable, our ultimate goal is to deliver these features and more without the need for code.
And that is the primary reason we have chosen to retire the WP Show Posts plugin and merge its features into GenerateBlocks.
In this post, we’ll be covering why we have made this decision, what this means for today’s WPSP users, and for active WPSP license holders, we’ll be providing a very special offer.
But before we get into that, firstly we want to say a big thank you to all WPSP users for their continued support over the years.
Why is WP Show Posts merging into GenerateBlocks?
WP Show Posts needs updating to support block editing. This will ensure its future proof and provide the interface that can deliver the level of customization its users require. So why not rebuild the current plugin?
The simple answer is, GenerateBlocks already provides 90% of the functionality we require. With its four blocks, you can build any kind of layout and style its content your way, so all that is left is the Query Loop which is what we are currently making awesome progress on.
Merging the plugins adds other advantages too. We can develop one set of plugins using a common code base, making it easier to prioritize and deliver new features. For our users, it means fewer plugins, a single common interface to learn, and overall a better web building experience.
The new feature, slated for a Q1 2022 release, will be made available in the free GenerateBlocks plugin with additional features added to GenerateBlocks Pro.
What does this mean for WPSP users?
First off we want to assure our users that any sites currently running WP Show Posts will continue to operate as they do today. Although there will be no change to the operation of the plugins, we must make you aware of the following:
- Both Free and Pro plugins will no longer receive feature updates.
- WPSP Free support will end as soon as a replacement is available in GenerateBlocks. We expect to have a working replacement in Q1 of 2022.
- WPSP Pro support will end after all active licenses have expired.
- WPSP Pro licenses are no longer available for sale or renewal.
- Both plugins will be monitored for security issues whilst support is still provided.
I have an active Pro license – can it be transferred to GenerateBlocks Pro?
We want to make sure all our active license holders are happy, and more so we don’t want to see you go.
If you have an active WPSP Pro license you can claim a free 1-year GenerateBlocks Pro license of your choice (up to $99 in value!).
If you have an active WPSP Pro license and already have GenerateBlocks Pro, we can extend your license by 1 year, or upgrade your license to a higher plan. Your choice!
Simply fill out this form and we’ll set it up for you.
Moving forward
It’s never easy saying goodbye to a product you spent a lot of time and effort building. However, we’re very excited about this change. In the end, we’re going to end up with better features and functionality while staying in line with how our other products work and feel. It’s also going to help us tremendously as a team to optimize how we handle development and support.
Moving forward, we’re confident that this change will be a positive one for our users and team.