=== QW Share Buttons ===
Contributors: hyspeedhimanshuyadav
Donate link: https://himanshusir.in
Tags: share buttons, social share, share count, floating share bar, whatsapp share
Requires at least: 5.8
Tested up to: 7.1
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 1.0.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Add distinctive social share buttons with optional click-based counts, a floating bar, and shortcodes. Built by Himanshu Yadav.

== Description ==

**QW Share Buttons** adds social sharing buttons to your posts and pages.

= Features =

* Inline share buttons (above, below, both, or after the first paragraph)
* Click-based share counts (counts button clicks on your site)
* Optional starting count (offset added to click counts for display)
* Per-post count controls in the editor
* Floating side share bar
* Copy link button
* WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Truth Social, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Bluesky, and more
* Shortcodes: [qwshare_share_buttons] and [qwshare_share_count]
* Share statistics and CSV export
* Dark mode bar, mobile label modes, thank-you message
* Lightweight: frontend assets load only when needed

= Important: About share counts =

Share counts in this plugin are **click-based**. They increase when a visitor clicks a share button on your website. They are **not** official share totals from Facebook, X, LinkedIn, or other networks, and they do not call those network APIs.

Displayed total = Starting count (optional) + click counts on your site.

= Shortcodes =

* `[qwshare_share_buttons]` — display the share bar
* `[qwshare_share_count]` — display the share count only

= Privacy =

To limit rapid repeat clicks, the plugin may store a short-lived technical key (based on post ID and visitor IP) as a WordPress transient. This is used only to prevent count spam, is not sold, and is not used for advertising.

== External services ==

This plugin constructs share links that open third-party social network share dialogs when a visitor clicks a share button. No data is sent automatically by the plugin server-side; the browser navigates (or opens a new tab) to the chosen network’s share endpoint with the current page URL and title.

Services used (when the corresponding network is enabled):

* WhatsApp (api.whatsapp.com) — opens WhatsApp share with pre-filled text. Terms: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/terms-of-service Privacy: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/privacy-policy
* Telegram (t.me) — opens Telegram share. Terms: https://telegram.org/tos Privacy: https://telegram.org/privacy
* Facebook (facebook.com) — opens Facebook sharer. Terms: https://www.facebook.com/terms Privacy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy
* X / Twitter (x.com) — opens post composer. Terms: https://x.com/tos Privacy: https://x.com/privacy
* LinkedIn (linkedin.com) — opens share-offsite. Terms: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/user-agreement Privacy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy
* Pinterest, Reddit, Bluesky, Threads, Nextdoor, and other networks listed in the plugin settings — each opens that network’s public share/intent URL with the page URL (and sometimes title). Consult each network’s own terms and privacy policy.

No personal data is transmitted by the plugin itself beyond what the visitor’s browser sends when following a normal share link. The plugin does not register with or call network APIs in the background.

== Installation ==

1. Upload the plugin folder to `/wp-content/plugins/` or install the ZIP via **Plugins → Add New → Upload**.
2. Activate **QW Share Buttons** through the **Plugins** menu.
3. Go to **QW Share** in the admin menu to configure networks and display options.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Are these official Facebook / X share counts? =

No. Counts track share **button clicks on your site only**. They are not pulled from social network APIs.

= What is the starting count? =

An optional number you can set globally or per post. It is added to click counts when showing the total. It is not a claim of external network shares.

= Can I set a different starting count per post? =

Yes. Edit a post and use the **QW Share Counts** box in the sidebar.

= Does it work on mobile? =

Yes. You can control mobile visibility and whether labels show as icons only on small screens.

= How do I place buttons in a custom location? =

Use the shortcode `[qwshare_share_buttons]` in content, widgets (if shortcodes are enabled), or a block that supports shortcodes.

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release of QW Share Buttons
* Inline share buttons (above, below, both, or after the first paragraph) and floating side bar
* Click-based share counts with optional starting count and per-post controls
* 25+ networks, copy link button, dark mode, mobile label modes, thank-you message
* Shortcodes: [qwshare_share_buttons] and [qwshare_share_count]
* Share statistics with CSV export

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.0.0 =
Initial release.
