Version 7.2 of Ajax Load More was released earlier today. This release focused on integration with the WordPress core Query Loop block, shortcode/query previews, and major code restructuring.
🔥 What’s New in 7.2
Query Loop Integration
I’m excited to finally release the Query Loop add-on that allows for infinite scrolling of the WordPress core Query Loop block content with Ajax Load More. The add-on updates the browser URL as you load content and provides the ability to share direct links to paged content.
Ajax Load More Previews
One of the most highly-requested features has been to add preview functionality to the plugin. The ability to preview an Ajax Load More instance as you build a shortcode should save users a lot of time so it feels great to get this released.
The Preview feature is available from within the Shortcode Builder – click the Preview button to launch a standalone instance of Ajax Load More in a new window.
Previews are available for most Ajax Load More shortcodes, however, some add-on functionality such as Single Posts, Next Page, and Cache cannot be previewed.
I’ll also note that styling and functionality within an ALM preview environment may not be 100% reflective of how Ajax Load More will appear once added directly to a page on your website so please use this feature with some caution.
Template Parameter
A new template parameter has been introduced that will help phase out the deprecated repeater and theme_repeater parameters. This change paves the way for future updates to the Ajax Load More Repeater Templating system.
Shortcode Examples[ajax_load_more template="card.php" post_type="post"]
There has also been a change in the Call to Actions add-on, a new cta_template parameter has been added to phase out the legacy cta_repeater and cta_theme_repeater parameters.
Filters Add-on Updates
The Filters Add-on received three major updates in version 2.3.0
Default Taxonomy and Meta Query Parameters
A new feature was added to maintain default Taxonomy and Meta Query parameters when using the Filters add-on. This means you can now have ever-present Ajax Load More shortcode parameters when running a Taxonomy or Meta Query.
This sounds like a simple task, but in the past, it required custom development to maintain these queries, so this is a massive win for Ajax Load More developers and users.
Shortcode Example[ajax_load_more taxonomy="actor" taxonomy_terms="tom-hanks"]
Facet Indexing
The Facet index functionality has been updated when an individual post has been created, updated, or deleted. Facet indexes are now modified and not recreated after a post has been modified. This will make updating the data much faster after the initial indices have been created.
Multiple Instances
Support has been added for filtering multiple instances of Ajax Load More on the same page with a single filter. By simply comma-separating the target parameter you can target multiple instances.
Filter Shortcode Example[ajax_load_more_filters id="categories" target="alm_1, alm_2"]
What’s Next
- Templates Add-on
A new Templates add-on that uses the block editor to build out Repeater Templates. This new add-on will also combine the Custom Repeaters and Theme Repeaters add-ons into a single add-on while adding support for the WordPress block editor. - Query Builder
We are working towards a major refactoring of Shortcode Builder. This new query builder will be built in React and allow for creating and updating Ajax Load More instances from within the WordPress block editor. - Saved ALM Instances
Functionality that will allow for saving an Ajax Load More and referencing it by unique instance ID. We are also considering implementing an ALM JSON feature to save instances as JSON in your theme.
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Let us know what you think about the changes in Ajax Load More 7.2 in the comments below.