=== CategoView for Amazon ===

Contributors: penguinpluginlabs, freemius
Tags: amazon, affiliate, amazon affiliate, amazon associates, amazon creators
Requires at least: 6.3
Requires PHP: 7.0
Tested up to: 7.1
Stable tag: 3.1.4
License: GPL-2.0-or-later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

== Description ==

**[Simple setup] → [Select an Amazon category] → [Automatically display multiple products] → [Carousel] → [Auto updates] → Set and forget.**

CategoView for Amazon lets you display multiple products from a selected Amazon category in a carousel on your WordPress site using the Amazon Creators API.

No need to select products one by one. CategoView retrieves product information, saves it as a catalog, and keeps the catalog updated automatically.

== Features ==

=== Free ===

* Simple setup
* Amazon category-based product retrieval
* Up to 5 products in one carousel
* Automatic catalog updates
* Ranking display
* Gutenberg block
* WordPress widget
* Multiple Amazon marketplaces

=== Pro ===

* Up to 5 product categories
* 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 products
* Random display
* Text color customization
* Background color customization

== How it works ==

1. **Select an Amazon category**
   Enter the Browse Node ID of the Amazon category you want to display.

2. **CategoView automatically retrieves products**
   CategoView retrieves product information from the Amazon Creators API and creates a product catalog.

3. **Display the carousel on your site**
   Add the CategoView carousel using a Gutenberg block or widget. No individual product selection or manual updates are required.

== Requirements ==

* WordPress 6.3 or later
* PHP 7.0 or later
* Amazon Associates account
* Amazon Creators API credentials

== Setup ==

1. Install and activate CategoView for Amazon.
2. Enter your Amazon Creators API credentials.
3. Select an Amazon marketplace and enter your Store ID (Associate Tag).
4. Enter a Browse Node ID.
5. Add the CategoView carousel to your site.

**That's it. CategoView handles product retrieval and automatic updates for you.**

== Display ==

CategoView can be displayed using either:

* **Gutenberg block** — Add the CategoView carousel directly to your posts or pages.
* **Widget** — Display the carousel in a widget area supported by your theme.

== Automatic updates ==

CategoView automatically updates the product catalog at regular intervals using the Amazon Creators API.

Once configured, no manual product selection or update is required.

== Amazon Creators API ==

CategoView uses the **Amazon Creators API** to retrieve product information from Amazon.

An Amazon Associates account and valid API credentials are required.

== External Services ==

=== Amazon Creators API ===

CategoView for Amazon connects to Amazon through the Amazon Creators API to retrieve product information.

The plugin sends the Amazon Creators API credentials entered in the plugin settings, along with the selected Amazon marketplace, Associate Tag, and Browse Node ID, as required for authentication and product retrieval.

Product information returned by Amazon is saved as a catalog on your WordPress site and used to display products on the front end.

Use of the Amazon Creators API is subject to the Amazon Associates Program and other applicable Amazon terms and licenses for each marketplace.

For more information, see:

* [Amazon Creators API Documentation](https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/creatorsapi/docs/en-us/introduction)
* [Amazon Associates Program Operating Agreement](https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/operating/agreement/)
* [Amazon.com Privacy Notice](https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GX7NJQ4ZB8MHFRNJ)

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= What is a Browse Node ID? =

A Browse Node ID is an identifier used by Amazon to identify a product category or subcategory.

= Where can I find the Browse Node ID? =

The Browse Node ID can be found in the URL of an Amazon product category or ranking page.

= What is an Associate Tag? =

An Associate Tag is an identifier issued through the Amazon Associates Program. Enter the tag associated with the Amazon marketplace you want to use.

= Why are products from outside the selected category sometimes displayed? =

Depending on the Amazon Creators API response, products related or adjacent to the selected category may be included in the results.

= When is the catalog updated? =

The catalog is initially updated when you click Update Catalog. After that, it is updated automatically according to the configured schedule.

= What happens if a catalog update fails? =

The existing catalog is preserved, and the update error is recorded.

= How many products can be displayed? =

The Free version can display up to 5 products from one product category.

The Pro version can register up to 5 product categories and display 5, 10, 15, or 20 products.

== Screenshots ==

1. Settings — Configure Amazon Creators API credentials and product category settings.
2. Catalog — View the saved product catalog.
3. Gutenberg — Insert the CategoView Amazon Carousel block.
4. Carousel — Display Amazon products in a carousel on the front end.

== Changelog ==

= 3.1.4 =

* Improved internationalization and plugin metadata consistency.
* Updated plugin documentation and minor fixes.

= 3.1.3 =

* Improved carousel JavaScript loading compatibility across blocks and widgets.

= 3.1.2 =

* Improved front-end carousel arrow scrolling compatibility on mobile browsers.

= 3.1.1 =

* Improved descriptions for the Name and Browse Node ID settings.

= 3.1.0 =

* Improved API retry handling for HTTP 429 responses.

= 3.0.2 =

* Improved migration of existing settings and product catalogs.

= 3.0.1 =

* Improved migration safeguards and corrected FAQ wording.

= 3.0.0 =

* Unified Free and Pro releases and separated premium functionality.

= 2.4.4 =

* Improved Free and Pro code separation.

= 2.4.1 =

* Reorganized the administration tabs.

= 2.4.0 =

* Reorganized Pro display settings and updated plugin tags.

= 2.3.0 =

* Added Pro support for multiple product categories.

= 2.2.0 =

* Added Pro text and background color customization.

= 2.1.0 =

* Added Pro random display and product count options.

= 1.0.0 =

* Initial public release with Amazon Creators API integration, automatic catalog updates, Gutenberg block, widget, and carousel support.

== License ==

CategoView for Amazon is licensed under the GPL-2.0-or-later license.
