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Hello new and long time users of Search & Filter, we haven’t been in touch much!

This is an announcement update which has been a long time coming.

A bit of background

Pretty much since the inception of our pro version (several years ago), we’ve left the free edition alone.  It’s continued to grow, albeit slowly, and without much love or input from us.

We’ve been hard at work these past few years, building and evolving our pro plugin (which has been going great), but if I’m completely honest, we’ve neglected the free version.

That is all about to change.

A whole new version and architecture

The new plan for Search & Filter is that the free edition will become the base plugin – and the pro edition will be an extension – augmenting the free edition by adding features and functionality (rather than the way it is currently – a complete replacement plugin).

What does that mean for existing users?

Tons of new features

Admin UI

Providing more features means we’ve had to build a new UI – a shortcodes-only approach just won’t cut it.

With the update, filters can now be created via the admin UI (and re-used via blocks and shortcodes) – this should make our plugin much easier to use – plus we’re also providing a real preview of what you’re building.  Here is a tiny sneak peak of what’s on offer with the new filter builder:

Filters will now also be tied to specific queries on your site – whether that is a post type archive, blog page, tag/category/taxonomy archive, or WordPress search – the new filters you create will be associated with the area you choose (no more guessing which archive you will land on) – this means you can build multiple filter groups for different purposes – and with that, you also get access to the query builder.

Separate Filters

Currently, filters can be added with a shortcode, but all the filters must be together.  3.0 allows for creating filters, and placing them individually anywhere on your site.

Query Builder

With the update, filters will be associated with specific queries – this means you can build filter combinations to act on on your search results page, and another set of filters to work on your post type archives.  Our query builder provides various options for modifying these queries, such as choosing post types, post status, limiting the number of posts (plus a few more options we’re yet to announce).

Styling Options

There will be new styling options to choose from – such as colours, fonts and size – making it incredibly easy to integrate filters with your site and designs.

Gutenberg Integration

This one was at the forefront of our plan for 3.0 – access your filters directly via our blocks, and modify styling on the fly as and when you need to.

Query and display settings will also be managed via modals so you never have to leave the editor (this won’t make it for 3.0, but will be added in an update shortly after).

Changes to Expect

The first thing you will need to do is upgrade your existing shortcodes to the new system.  You’ll need setup your query settings, and rebuild your filters using the new UI.

Existing shortcodes will continue to work for some time, but will be phased out – and they won’t benefit from the new new features we’re adding – we’ll be sure to write a post on the transition process, and we’ll be adding admin notices + warning if we detect you haven’t moved away from the old system.

A call for testing

Search & Filter 3.0 (free) is currently in internal testing – we’re planning to start testing with a beta release in the week of the 7th of June.

If you want to get prepared, or just want to play with the new features – we’d love your feedback and help getting this over the line.

Sign up to our v3 mailing list to keep up to date and help out with testing.

*Intially we won’t be sharing this with everyone, we’re looking for people to work with and provide feedback.

Summary

So, that’s it for now – we’ll be sure to follow up with more information regarding the transition as and when we know it.

We’re also writing a post (coming up shortly) regarding S&F 3.0 Pro, which will have some very interesting new features too.

Wishing you all the best – from Ross + the Search & Filter team.

Follow us on twitter to keep up to date – we’ll be sure to let you know when new information is out.