GR Widget changelog and version history

202611 releases

1. GR Widget 1.2.3Latest

   Oct 29, 2026
   • Added * Check if a widget is live from the Widgets screen. Enter a page address and GR Widget looks for that widget’s block, shortcode, embed, or rendered markup. * Get help on a not-found install check. It emails support with the page, the reason, and an optional note.

2. GR Widget 1.2.2

   Oct 28, 2026
   • Added * Plan limits now include Google businesses (one Google Business Profile / Place ID). The account summary shows how many you are using, and adding another listing over that cap shows the upgrade link.

3. GR Widget 1.2.1

   Oct 14, 2026
   • Added * Seventeen new layouts, so the gallery is now 34 designs. Mini review slider, Classic Carousel, Classic Slider, Classic List, Classic Grid, Classic Masonry, Inline rating & reviews, Essential rating, Text rating, Stacked rating, Micro rating strip, Quote thread, Signature showcase, Pocket pr…
   • Improved * A free linked account now includes 22 layouts, up from 10. Site includes 31. Business and Agency include the full set of 34. * Layout counts in the plugin, the upgrade notes, and this readme match the current catalog.
   • Fixed * Minor bug fixes across business search and the layout picker.

4. GR Widget 1.2.0

   Oct 9, 2026
   • Added * A redesigned dashboard and widget builder. * Draft and Live preview, so edits stay unpublished until you publish them. * Review curation: choose which reviews appear, sort and filter them, and set how many to display. * Review request, Reviews button, Review ribbon, and Avatar review badge…
   • Improved * The layout picker is clearer, and its previews match the layouts. * Searching for your business on Google is easier. * Margin controls in Customize are more compact. * Layouts are grouped so badges, feeds, sliders, stickers, and review requests are easier to find.
   • Fixed * The embed script is no longer held back by delay-JavaScript tools such as WP Meteor, so widgets keep loading on Elementor pages. * Confirming Unlink account on the dashboard unlinks the site. * Other fixes across the dashboard and builder.

5. GR Widget 1.1.2

   Aug 28, 2026
   • Preview every layout and styling option in the builder, including ones on a higher plan.
   • Choosing a layout before a business now shows a notice in the plugin.
   • Carousel feed and Slider feed names were swapped so they match the layouts. Existing widgets look the same.
   • A default Free widget no longer asks you to upgrade for custom styling. Light theme, default font, full width, and empty spacing stay Free.
   • Outer Spacing, theme, fonts, Display Limit, and basic Review Panel options are labelled Free.
   • Switching feed layouts no longer turns on review photos. Photo settings only apply when that feed is selected.
   • Display Limit updates as you type, including after changing tabs. You can preview a higher count than your plan publishes.
   • WordPress widgets stay branding-free. Branding controls are removed from the plugin builder.
   • Linked GRWidget.com accounts can list, open, preview, and save widgets, and search for a business in wp-admin again.
   • If the widget list fails to load, you get a retry message instead of an empty screen.

6. GR Widget 1.1.1

   Aug 22, 2026
   • Improvements to make linking a free GR Widget account from the plugin simpler.
   • Width controls in the WordPress Customise builder (same options as the web builder).
   • Widgets you created on GRWidget.com now appear in the WordPress plugin automatically when your account is linked. No manual refresh.
   • Stops loading the embed script twice on sites that also pasted the GR Widget script tag.
   • Gutenberg block: pick one of this site’s widgets from a list instead of pasting the embed key. You can still enter a key manually.
   • Feed layouts: mobile headers now wrap cleanly so the title, stars, and “Write a review” button no longer overlap or get cut off.

7. GR Widget 1.1.0

   Aug 19, 2026
   • Redesigned native Customize builder with more options and features.
   • Link a GR Widget account with a click (sign in or create an account) — no API key copy/paste.
   • Additional customisation controls in the builder.
   • Change layout from inside the builder.
   • Raise free plugin limits by linking a free GR Widget account.
   • Other minor bug fixes and improvements.

8. GR Widget 1.0.3

   Aug 8, 2026
   • Customise Review Button / Footer Button on feed widgets (show/hide, colours, and typography).
   • Style and Customize panels use closed-by-default accordions matching the web builder.
   • AI Summary live preview works in the native builder when exploring locked plans.

9. GR Widget 1.0.2

   Jul 29, 2026
   • Report a bug is now visible in the Customize left rail (matching the web builder), and still available in the top bar.
   • Linked GRWidget.com accounts can submit bug reports from the native builder (previously blocked when the site was linked).

10. GR Widget 1.0.1

    Jul 14, 2026
    • Updated the plugin display name to “GR Widget – Google Reviews Widget” for clearer directory search and discoverability (no functional changes; slug, settings, and shortcodes are unchanged).

11. GR Widget 1.0.0

    Jul 11, 2026
    • Initial public release on WordPress.org (first SVN / directory release).
    • Embed Google reviews with a shortcode or Gutenberg block — no Google API keys or sign-in required.
    • Search for your business in wp-admin, pick from five free layouts, and create up to three widgets per site.
    • Local layout picker previews and live preview in wp-admin (no external iframes); native style editor with API-backed save.
    • Reviews sync on GRWidget.com — your WordPress database does not store review content.
    • Optional GRWidget.com account linking for paid plans, more widgets, and daily sync.
    • Embed script loads only on pages that contain a widget (not site-wide).
    • Plugin Check compliant: escaped output, nonces, uninstall cleanup, and contextual upgrade notices in wp-admin only.
    • Prefix compliance — options, cron hooks, AJAX actions, script/style handles, and localized JS objects use grwi_ / GRWI_; legacy grw_* options migrate automatically on upgrade.
    • Tested up to WordPress 7.0; view-template and uninstall loop variables prefixed for Plugin Check; mock CSS enqueue versioned; core sidebars_widgets filter usage documented.