=== GeoVerse Maps – Google Maps Block for WordPress === Contributors: wpxero Tags: google maps, gutenberg, store locator, map block, local seo Requires at least: 6.1 Tested up to: 7.0 Stable tag: 1.5.1 Requires PHP: 7.4 License: GPL v2 or later License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html Donate Link: https://wpxero.com/pricing/ Add a Google Maps block to any post or page — no API key required to start. Custom markers, map styles, directions, and a built-in store locator. == Description == GeoVerse Maps adds a real Google Maps block to the WordPress block editor. Drop it into a post or page, search for your address, and you have a working map — no Google Cloud console, no API key, and nothing to configure just to get a location on the page. When you're ready for more, add a free Google Maps API key (it takes a couple of minutes) and the rest of the plugin opens up: custom marker icons, color-coded map themes, a location search box, turn-by-turn directions, live traffic and transit layers, and a filterable list view for sites with more than a couple of pins on the map. It's built for people who need a **Google Maps Gutenberg block** that just works — store locators, contact pages, real estate listings, restaurant "find us" pages, or any site where showing *where you are* actually matters for local SEO. = Why people use it = * **You don't need an API key to get started.** Most Google Maps plugins send you straight to the Google Cloud billing console before you see anything. GeoVerse Maps shows a working embedded map out of the box, and upgrades cleanly once you do add a key. * **It's a native block, not a shortcode.** Everything lives inside the block editor — align it, resize it, style it like any other block. No shortcode syntax to remember, no page-builder lock-in. * **It scales from one pin to a full store locator.** Add as many markers as you need, group them by category, and let visitors filter, search, and get directions without leaving the page. * **It's built with local SEO in mind.** Clean markup, fast-loading assets that only load on pages where the block is actually used, and a clear presentation of your address that both visitors and search engines can read. * **It's responsive by default.** Maps resize properly on phones and tablets without any extra CSS from you. = Who it's for = * **Local businesses** — shops, clinics, offices, and agencies with one location or several. * **Restaurants, hotels, and venues** that need a clear "find us" page. * **Real estate and travel sites** showing property locations or destination context. * **Multi-location brands** that need a proper store locator with filtering. * **Agencies** building client sites who want a map block that doesn't require explaining API keys to every client. = What's included = * A native Google Maps block for the WordPress block editor * Custom marker icons, with unlimited markers per map * Multiple map style presets (or paste your own custom style JSON) * Info windows with rich text — hours, phone numbers, links, short descriptions * A visitor-facing location search box * Marker categories with front-end filtering * Turn-by-turn "Get Directions" from the visitor's location * Optional traffic, transit, and bicycling map layers * A clickable marker list view alongside or below the map, for longer location lists * Fullscreen mode and responsive height controls * The Google Maps API key can be set right from the block's own settings panel, or from one central settings screen == Installation == = From the WordPress admin = 1. Go to **Plugins → Add New**. 2. Search for "GeoVerse Maps". 3. Click **Install Now**, then **Activate**. = Manual upload = 1. Upload the plugin folder to `/wp-content/plugins/`. 2. Activate it from the **Plugins** screen. = Adding your first map = 1. Edit a post or page in the block editor. 2. Click the block inserter (+) and search for "GeoVerse Maps" or "map". 3. Insert the block, then set the location. Add markers, pick a style, and turn on search, filters, or directions if you want them. 4. Publish or update the page. If you want markers, custom styles, search, directions, or map layers, add a Google Maps API key first — either from the block's own "API Key" panel in the editor, or from **Settings → GeoVerse Maps**. Without a key, the block still works as a simple embedded map. == Frequently Asked Questions == = Do I need a Google Maps API key? = Not to get started. Without one, GeoVerse Maps shows a basic embedded map for your chosen location. Add a key when you want markers, custom styles, search, directions, filters, or map layers — Google's API key setup is free for typical usage on most sites. = Is this a Gutenberg / block editor plugin? = Yes. Maps are added as a native block inside the WordPress block editor — no shortcodes, no separate plugin settings you have to hunt for. = Can I show multiple locations, like a store locator? = Yes. Add as many markers as you need on one map, and optionally group them into categories so visitors can filter to just the locations they care about. = Can visitors get directions to a location? = Yes, once an API key is configured. Each marker can show a "Get Directions" button that routes from the visitor's own location using Google Maps. = Will the map work on mobile? = Yes. The layout is responsive, and height can be set per breakpoint (desktop/tablet/mobile) so it doesn't dominate the screen on smaller devices. = Does this actually help with local SEO? = It helps with the part a map plugin can help with: fast, clean markup and a clear, accurate presentation of your business location — which matters for both visitors and search engines. Pair it with consistent NAP (name, address, phone) info and solid on-page content for the best results. = Where do I enter my API key? = Either from **Settings → GeoVerse Maps** in your WordPress admin, or directly from the map block's own Inspector settings while editing a post or page — whichever's more convenient. It's a single, site-wide setting either way. = How is this different from other WordPress map plugins? = Most alternatives require an API key from the first click, or lock features behind a shortcode-only workflow. GeoVerse Maps gets you a working map immediately, is built as a proper Gutenberg block from the ground up, and grows into a full-featured, filterable store locator without switching plugins. == Screenshots == 1. The Google Maps block on the front end, with a custom style and markers. 2. Block settings in the editor — location, zoom, markers, and appearance. 3. Map style presets — switch themes to match a light, dark, or branded look. 4. Marker filtering and the clickable marker list view. 5. Turn-by-turn directions from a marker's info window. == Changelog == = 1.5.1 = * Fixed a fatal error on activation for some installs: the plugin was loading a helper file from its build source tree instead of its shipped `includes/` folder, which isn't guaranteed to be present in every deployment. = 1.5.0 = * Major update: map styles, markers, location search, fullscreen, and responsive height now actually render on the live site once an API key is configured — this previously only worked in the editor preview. * New: marker categories with front-end filtering, so visitors can narrow down a map with a lot of pins. * New: turn-by-turn directions — an optional "Get Directions" button on each marker. * New: traffic, transit, and bicycling map layers. * New: a clickable marker list view next to or below the map. * New: the API key can now be set directly from the block's own Inspector settings, in addition to Settings → GeoVerse Maps. * Security fix: marker titles are now escaped before being rendered in the map popup. * Redesigned the marker popup card and marker list styling. * Various editor reliability fixes around marker address search, the category picker, and the live map preview. * Now requires WordPress 6.1 or later. = 1.4.1 = * Updated the build toolchain and npm dependencies for better compatibility with current WordPress and the block editor. * Maintenance release — no breaking changes. = 1.4.0 = * Release packaging and WordPress.org-ready metadata. * Clearer, more SEO-focused readme copy. * Plugin title updated to "GeoVerse Maps – Google Maps Block for WordPress" for consistent branding. * Tested up to WordPress 7.0. = 1.3.2 = * Renamed the plugin to "GeoVerse Maps" to comply with WordPress directory guidelines. * Fixed compatibility issues with the latest WordPress version. * Improved map performance, stability, and general usability. = 1.3.1 = * Updated the plugin name to comply with WordPress guidelines. * Fixed compatibility issues with the latest WordPress version. * Improved map performance and stability. = 1.3.0 = * Improved map performance and loading speed. * Better mobile responsiveness and touch controls. * Updated the Google Maps integration for improved compatibility. * General bug fixes, stability, and security improvements. = 1.0.0 = * Initial release. * Core Google Maps block, no API key required to get started. * Multiple map styles and themes. * Custom marker support. * Responsive by default. == Credits == * Map experience powered by Google Maps. * Built for modern WordPress — blocks, themes, and current performance practices. == Upgrade Notice == = 1.5.1 = Fixes a fatal error some installs hit on 1.5.0. Recommended update if you're on 1.5.0. = 1.5.0 = Markers, styles, search, and fullscreen now actually work on the live site (not just the editor preview) once an API key is set, plus new filtering, directions, map layers, and marker list features, a security fix, and a bump to requiring WordPress 6.1+. Recommended update. = 1.4.1 = Maintenance release with build dependency updates for current WordPress and block editor tooling. Safe update, no breaking changes. = 1.4.0 = Maintenance and readme/metadata update, with SEO-oriented listing copy and a WordPress 7.0 tested-up-to value. Safe update, no breaking changes. = 1.3.2 = Renames the plugin to "GeoVerse Maps" to comply with WordPress directory guidelines, and includes performance improvements and bug fixes. Please update as soon as possible. = 1.3.1 = Changes the plugin name to comply with WordPress guidelines and improves compatibility with the latest WordPress version. Please update as soon as possible. = 1.3.0 = Focuses on performance improvements, a better mobile experience, and compatibility with current WordPress versions.