=== iWEBAPP Review Widget for Google Reviews ===
Contributors: dwviwebapp
Tags: google reviews, google review widget, review widget, testimonials, social proof
Requires at least: 6.2
Tested up to: 7.0
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 1.0.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Google reviews widget with public profile import, CSV/JSON testimonials, four responsive layouts, live preview, and shortcode publishing.

== Description ==

iWEBAPP Review Widget for Google Reviews helps WordPress site owners import, curate, design, and publish review content without a Google Cloud project or API key. Display authorized Google Business Profile reviews, testimonials, staff profiles, case study quotes, or other CSV/JSON card content with the `[iwebapp_reviews]` shortcode.

The free plugin is complete and usable without a license key, iWEBAPP account, payment, or required upgrade. Imported content and design settings stay in your WordPress database.

[Plugin documentation](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/docs.html) | [Plugin website](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/)

Developed and maintained by [iWEBAPP Agency Inc.](https://iwebapp.ca/).

= Google reviews widget for WordPress =

Use an administrator-supplied public Google Maps or business reviews URL to import review information that Google includes in its public page response. Short Google Maps links can be expanded automatically. The import runs only when an administrator saves a source or requests an update.

No Google Cloud project, Place ID, OAuth connection, or Google API key is required. Because Google can change its public responses, CSV and JSON import remain available as an independent fallback.

= Import testimonials and card content from CSV or JSON =

The manual importer accepts uploaded or pasted CSV/JSON data. Preview the rows, then map columns into card fields such as reviewer name, review text, image, rating, date, and external ID.

This makes the plugin useful for:

* Google reviews
* Client testimonials
* Team and staff profiles
* Doctor or service-provider profiles
* Case study quotes
* Student feedback
* Product or service feedback
* Other structured card content

Sample CSV and JSON files are included in the plugin admin.

= Curate reviews before publishing =

The review library gives administrators control over what appears on the site. You can:

* Show or hide individual entries
* Select or unselect reviews in bulk
* Set a manual display position
* Delete individual reviews
* Pull updated reviews while preserving visibility and position choices
* Filter the display by exact star rating
* Order visible reviews by newest, highest rated, saved position, or random order

= Four responsive review layouts =

Choose the layout that matches the page and the amount of review content:

* **Showcase mosaic:** place headings and review cards in chosen grid slots, including intentional empty space.
* **Editorial heading:** place the heading and rating summary above a responsive card grid.
* **Simple grid:** use a direct responsive review grid with controlled columns and rows.
* **Single-column list:** display reviews in one or two list columns without grid-only slot controls.

Layout settings are available for desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone. The list layout keeps its own one-column and two-column controls instead of showing unrelated grid placement options.

= Live responsive design preview =

The Grid Design screen uses the same shortcode renderer as the public page. Switch between desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone previews while editing layout and style settings.

Responsive controls include:

* Columns, rows, heading placement, and active review slots
* Review count and rating filters
* Heading text, introduction, and HTML heading level
* Heading, review, reviewer, rating, count, and date typography
* Card fill, alternating fill, borders, radius, padding, and minimum height
* Reviewer portrait size
* Optional dates and Google source mark
* Optional full-review reveal on hover or keyboard focus
* Optional small iWEBAPP attribution, disabled by default

= Publish with one WordPress shortcode =

Add `[iwebapp_reviews]` to a page, post, widget, template, or builder shortcode module. The default shortcode uses the design saved in the plugin admin.

Optional shortcode attributes can override selected display choices for a specific placement. For example:

`[iwebapp_reviews limit="4" columns="2" min_rating="4" order="latest" heading="yes"]`

The shortcode works anywhere standard WordPress shortcodes are rendered, including Gutenberg, Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder, Bricks, WPBakery, and the Classic Editor.

= Local data ownership and privacy =

The plugin does not send review content, site data, or analytics to iWEBAPP. Imported reviews and CSV/JSON card content are stored in the local WordPress database. Temporary import files are processed during import and are not retained by the plugin.

Remote requests occur only for administrator-initiated public profile imports, administrator-selected Google Fonts, and remote reviewer images included in imported data. See External services and Privacy below for details.

= Free and Pro editions =

This WordPress.org edition includes the complete import, curation, four-layout design, responsive preview, and shortcode workflow described on this page.

For slider/carousel, pill marquee, circular bubble, saved-shortcode, and additional designer controls, see the [Free and Pro feature overview](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/). Pro licenses are available from the [Glowing Reviews Widget payment site](https://payment.glowingreviewswidget.com/). The Pro plugin is separate and is not required to use this free plugin.

= Important Google import note =

The URL importer reads information made available in public page responses. It is not an official Google API integration. Administrators must only import business profiles they own or are authorized to manage. Google can change or restrict public responses, so import results can vary.

This plugin is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Google LLC. Google is a trademark of Google LLC.

== External services ==

This plugin does not send data to iWEBAPP. It connects to third-party services only in the situations described below.

= Google Maps public pages =

Domains may include `google.com`, `maps.app.goo.gl`, `goo.gl`, and `g.page`.

* **Purpose:** Import publicly visible review content for a business profile that the administrator confirms they own or are authorized to manage.
* **Data sent:** The administrator-supplied profile URL and standard HTTP request headers.
* **When sent:** Only when an administrator saves the URL or clicks an import/update button. Nothing is sent automatically from the public site.
* **Google terms:** https://policies.google.com/terms
* **Google Maps Platform terms:** https://cloud.google.com/maps-platform/terms
* **Google privacy policy:** https://policies.google.com/privacy

= Administrator-supplied business reviews pages =

The importer can also read compatible review markup from a public business reviews page supplied by the administrator.

* **Purpose:** Import authorized review content from a business website when Google does not include review text in its public response.
* **Data sent:** The administrator-supplied page URL and standard HTTP request headers.
* **When sent:** Only when an administrator saves the URL or clicks an import/update button.
* **Terms and privacy:** These are controlled by the selected website. The administrator is responsible for reviewing that site's terms and privacy policy before importing.

= Google Fonts =

Domains are `fonts.googleapis.com` and `fonts.gstatic.com`.

* **Purpose:** Load an administrator-selected display font for the review section.
* **Data sent:** A visitor's browser requests the selected font family from Google Fonts.
* **When sent:** Only after an administrator explicitly selects a Google Font. The default inherits the theme font and does not request Google Fonts.
* **Google terms:** https://policies.google.com/terms
* **Google privacy policy:** https://policies.google.com/privacy

= Reviewer photo hosts =

* **Purpose:** Display reviewer profile photos included with imported review data.
* **Data sent:** A visitor's browser requests the remote image URL from its image host.
* **When sent:** When a page containing the widget is viewed and remote reviewer portraits are enabled.

Disable **Show reviewer portraits** to prevent remote reviewer-photo requests.

== Installation ==

1. In WordPress, go to **Plugins > Add New**.
2. Search for **iWEBAPP Review Widget for Google Reviews**, or upload the plugin ZIP.
3. Install and activate the plugin.
4. Go to **iWEBAPP Reviews > Import**.
5. Import authorized reviews from a public Google Maps URL, or upload/paste CSV or JSON data.
6. Open **Reviews** to choose visibility and order.
7. Open **Grid Design** to choose a layout and responsive styles.
8. Add `[iwebapp_reviews]` to a page, post, widget, or builder shortcode module.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= How do I display Google reviews in WordPress? =

Import authorized public review data in **iWEBAPP Reviews > Import**, choose which reviews are visible, configure a layout in **Grid Design**, then add `[iwebapp_reviews]` to the page where the reviews should appear.

= Do I need a Google API key or Google Cloud project? =

No. The administrator-initiated URL importer reads review information included in public Google page responses. It does not require a Google API key, Google Cloud project, OAuth login, or Place ID.

= Is this an official Google API integration? =

No. Google can change or restrict its public page responses, so URL import results can vary. CSV and JSON import are available as an independent fallback.

= Can I import testimonials that are not from Google? =

Yes. Upload or paste CSV/JSON data, preview the rows, and map columns into title, review text, image, rating, date, and ID fields.

= Which review layouts are included? =

The free plugin includes Showcase mosaic, Editorial heading, Simple grid, and Single-column list layouts. The list layout supports one or two columns.

= Can I customize the widget for phones and tablets? =

Yes. The Design screen includes desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone controls with a live responsive preview. Layout and typography settings can be adjusted for each device size.

= Does it work with Elementor, Gutenberg, Divi, or other page builders? =

Yes. Use a Shortcode block or the builder's shortcode widget/module and paste `[iwebapp_reviews]`. It works with editors that render standard WordPress shortcodes.

= Can I hide or reorder individual reviews? =

Yes. The Reviews screen includes individual visibility switches, bulk selection, manual positions, and delete controls. Pulling an update preserves saved visibility and position choices.

= Where is imported review data stored? =

Imported reviews and settings are stored in the local WordPress database. The plugin does not send them to iWEBAPP.

= Does the plugin load Google Fonts automatically? =

No. The default inherits your theme font. Google Fonts are requested only after an administrator explicitly chooses a Google Font in the Design screen.

= Can I remove the iWEBAPP attribution? =

The small iWEBAPP attribution is optional and disabled by default. It appears only when an administrator enables it.

= What happens when I uninstall the plugin? =

Uninstalling removes the plugin's custom database table and saved options. Export or retain any content you need before uninstalling.

= Where can I get setup help? =

Read the [plugin documentation](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/docs.html) or use the WordPress.org support forum for this plugin.

== Privacy ==

The plugin does not collect analytics or transmit site data to iWEBAPP.

Imported reviews and CSV/JSON card content are stored in the local WordPress database. Temporary uploaded files are processed during import and are not retained. Uninstalling removes the plugin's database table and saved options.

URL imports send the requested public profile URL and standard HTTP request information to Google only when initiated by an administrator. Remote reviewer images may disclose visitor request information to their image host. Google Fonts are requested only if an administrator selects a Google Font.

Imported reviews can contain personal data such as reviewer names, photos, dates, and review text. The site owner is responsible for that content and can hide or delete individual reviews, clear the review library, or uninstall the plugin to remove stored data.

== Screenshots ==

1. Import authorized public Google review data or upload CSV/JSON card content from the plugin-only Import screen.
2. Curate visibility and manual order in the review library, shown with clearly labeled sample data and local initial avatars.
3. Customize responsive layout, headings, cards, typography, rating filters, and device previews with sample review content.
4. Copy the default shortcode or use documented shortcode attributes from the plugin-only Embed screen.
5. Review the included import, layout, privacy, and shortcode capabilities in the plugin-only Info screen.

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial WordPress.org release.
