=== ARN Smart URL Manager ===
Contributors: arnsmart
Tags: short links, redirects, qr code, link management, link analytics
Requires at least: 6.0
Tested up to: 7.1
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 1.0.4
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Create site-owned short links, manage redirects, generate QR codes, monitor URL health, and track clicks locally in WordPress.

== Description ==

ARN Smart URL Manager is a WordPress short-link, redirect, QR code, and link-analytics plugin. It helps site owners create stable site-owned URLs, update destinations centrally, generate connected QR codes, monitor link activity, and manage link workflows without depending on an external shortening platform.

Public short links remain connected to managed destination records. When a campaign, page, or external destination changes, administrators can update the route without replacing the public link or its related QR code.

The Free edition stores supported analytics locally in the WordPress database, works independently from existing WordPress permalinks, and supports site-level operation in WordPress Multisite.

== 🚀 Core Features ==

* ✅ Create managed short links on your own WordPress domain
* ✅ Use custom or automatically generated aliases
* ✅ Assign and update final destinations
* ✅ Enable or disable managed routes
* ✅ Preserve public links while destinations change
* ✅ Generate connected QR codes
* ✅ Download PNG QR output
* ✅ Preview and regenerate QR assets
* ✅ Track essential click activity locally
* ✅ View total clicks and recent activity
* ✅ Compare link-level performance summaries
* ✅ Search and filter managed links
* ✅ Monitor supported URL-health states
* ✅ Identify destinations requiring attention
* ✅ Maintain link and QR relationships
* ✅ Use isolated site-level records in WordPress Multisite

== 🔗 Managed Short Links ==

Create clean public URLs that belong to the website rather than an external shortening service. Each managed record can contain an alias, destination, title, description, status, activity, and connected QR information.

Managed links are useful for:

* 📣 marketing campaigns
* 🖨️ printed materials
* 📱 social profiles
* ✉️ email campaigns
* 🛍️ product and offer links
* 📄 documents and downloadable resources
* 🧭 stable public routes whose destinations may change

== 🔁 Redirect and Destination Control ==

ARN Smart URL Manager routes a managed public link to its configured destination. Administrators can update that destination centrally while preserving the public URL and its connected QR code.

The system works independently and does not rewrite or replace normal WordPress page and post URLs.

Recommended workflow:

1. Create a managed link.
2. Choose a clear alias.
3. Enter and validate the destination.
4. Test the public route.
5. Generate the connected QR code if required.
6. Update the destination later without changing the public link.

== 📱 QR Code Generation ==

Generate a QR code directly from a managed link. Because the QR points to the stable public route, the final destination can be changed later without redesigning or reprinting the QR asset.

The Free workflow includes basic QR generation, preview, PNG download, availability status, existing-asset recognition, and regeneration.

Always test a downloaded QR code on multiple devices before sending it to print or publishing it publicly.

== 📊 Local Click Analytics ==

Essential analytics help administrators understand whether a managed link is being used. Supported click records and summaries are stored locally in the WordPress database.

Available visibility includes total click counts, individual link activity, QR-originated managed-link activity, timestamps, recent activity, click history, and link-level summaries.

Analytics describe recorded interactions; they do not guarantee unique people, conversions, or business outcomes.

== 🛡️ URL Health and Privacy ==

URL-health tools help identify destinations that are available, problematic, or require administrator attention. Review and correct the destination while preserving the managed public route and its historical relationships.

Privacy principles:

* 🔒 no required external analytics platform
* 🔒 no forced remote tracking service
* 🔒 supported analytics stored locally
* 🔒 managed routes remain under site control

The site owner remains responsible for informing visitors about analytics collection and applying applicable privacy requirements.

== ⭐ Upgrade to ARN Linkix Pro ==

[ARN Linkix](https://arnsmart.com/linkix/) is the professional link and QR infrastructure system for teams that need advanced design, analytics, campaigns, visitor experiences, maintenance, and operational control.

Linkix Pro expands the Free workflow with capabilities such as:

* ⚡ **Advanced QR Design** — control appearance, foreground, background, size, margins, error correction, templates, SVG export, and print-oriented layouts.
* ⚡ **Advanced Analytics** — analyze referrers, devices, countries, time trends, performance changes, spikes, declines, and top links.
* ⚡ **Campaign Management** — group related links and QR assets, maintain campaign status, and review individual or combined activity.
* ⚡ **Bio Pages** — create ordered mobile-friendly destination collections for profiles, campaigns, products, or services.
* ⚡ **Splash Pages** — add an optional branded intermediate experience before the final destination.
* ⚡ **Advanced URL Health** — identify problem routes, review destination status, preserve relationships, and retire links safely.
* ⚡ **Bulk Link Management** — select and manage larger link groups through structured operations.
* ⚡ **Extended Activity Retention and Reporting** — maintain deeper history and performance comparisons.
* ⚡ **Licensed Updates and Priority Support** — connect the installation to ARN Smart for professional update delivery and assistance.

Learn more: [Explore ARN Linkix](https://arnsmart.com/linkix/)

== 🆓 Free vs ARN Linkix Pro ==

The Free edition provides essential link infrastructure:

* ✅ managed short links
* ✅ editable destinations
* ✅ active and inactive routes
* ✅ basic link organization
* ✅ basic QR generation and PNG download
* ✅ essential local click tracking
* ✅ URL-health visibility
* ✅ WordPress Multisite support

Linkix Pro is designed for advanced workflows requiring:

* ⭐ advanced QR appearance, templates, SVG, and print output
* ⭐ referrer, device, country, trend, and comparison analytics
* ⭐ campaigns and combined performance
* ⭐ Bio Pages and Splash Pages
* ⭐ deeper maintenance and lifecycle control
* ⭐ bulk management, extended history, and professional support

== 🔗 Other ARN Smart Products ==

* **ARN Smart Image Optimizer / [ARN WebPix](https://arnsmart.com/webpix/)** — local image optimization in Free; advanced discovery, coverage, queues, delivery, and diagnostics in Pro.
* **ARN Smart Content Toolkit / [ARN Clonex](https://arnsmart.com/clonex/)** — controlled draft preparation in Free; structured duplication, datasets, bulk production, and builder-aware workflows in Pro.
* **ARN Smart Visitor Intent / [ARN Smart Visioix](https://arnsmart.com/visioix/)** — visitor-intent capture, triggers, analytics, and contact actions in Free; connected visitor and website intelligence in Pro.
* **ARN Smart Elementor Site Utilities / [ARN Smart Vendix](https://arnsmart.com/vendix/)** — essential Elementor widgets and site utilities in Free; advanced widgets, design systems, protection, and website operations in Pro.

Explore all products at [ARN Smart](https://arnsmart.com/).

== Installation ==

1. Install the plugin from the WordPress Plugins screen or upload it to `/wp-content/plugins/`.
2. Activate ARN Smart URL Manager.
3. Open ARN Smart URL Manager in the WordPress administration menu.
4. Create a managed link and assign its destination.
5. Test the public route before distributing it.
6. Generate and test a QR code when required.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Does the plugin change existing WordPress URLs? =

No. Managed links work independently and do not replace existing page or post permalinks.

= Can I use my own domain? =

Yes. Public managed links use the WordPress website domain and configured route structure.

= Can I change a destination without changing the short link? =

Yes. Update the destination connected to the managed public URL.

= Will a QR code continue working after a destination change? =

Yes, when the QR points to the same active managed link. Test the route after every important destination update.

= Where is analytics data stored? =

Supported Free analytics data is stored locally in the WordPress database.

= Does the plugin require an external shortening or analytics service? =

No. The essential Free workflow runs inside WordPress.

= Does it work with WordPress Multisite? =

Yes. Current versions support site-level records, settings, and activation handling in WordPress Multisite.

= What does ARN Linkix Pro add? =

Linkix adds advanced QR design and SVG output, deeper analytics, campaigns, Bio Pages, Splash Pages, advanced health and maintenance, bulk management, licensed updates, and priority support.

== Screenshots ==

1. Central dashboard for managed links and activity.
2. Short-link creation and destination controls.
3. Managed-link lists, statuses, search, and filters.
4. QR generation with preview and PNG download.
5. Link analytics and recent activity.
6. URL-health and maintenance visibility.

== External Services ==

The Free edition does not require an external link-shortening or analytics service. Managed records and supported analytics remain in WordPress. A destination is contacted only when a visitor or authorized administrator follows or tests the managed route.

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.4 =

* Declared and reviewed compatibility with WordPress 7.1.
* Added matching WordPress requirements to the plugin header and readme.
* Fixed network activation so all sites are processed in bounded batches.
* Standardized the installation folder and ARN Smart product discovery.

= 1.0.3 =

* Updated compatibility for the current WordPress administration interface.
* Improved stability and interface consistency.

= 1.0.2 =

* Fixed short-link creation, database initialization, redirect handling, settings saving, QR storage, and bulk actions in supported multisite environments.
* Improved safe redirects, host validation, nonce handling, schema caching, and standards compliance.

= 1.0.1 =

* Improved readme structure and discovery tags.

= 1.0.0 =

* Initial release.

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.0.4 =

Adds WordPress 7.1 compatibility, complete multisite activation, and package consistency improvements.
