=== ClickWhale ===
Contributors: clickwhale, flowdee, krapan88, webdj, liquiemm, freemius
Donate link: https://github.com/sponsors/flowdee
Tags: link manager, link shortener, link in bio, affiliate links, link tracker
Requires at least: 5.0
Requires PHP: 7.4
Tested up to: 6.9
Stable tag: 2.5.3.5
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Link Manager, Shortener, Click Tracker & Bio Link Pages Plugin for WordPress

== Description ==

With ClickWhale, you can **easily manage, shorten/cloak, analyze internal and affiliate links** on your WordPress site. All this, using your own domain!  You're doing social media? Then you don't want to miss out having a bio link page for your profiles.

> **Interested in a quick look 🚀 at the plugin <ins>without</ins> installation?**
> [Check out our 1-click live demo with sample content](https://clickwhale.pro/link/live-demo/) 👈

But that's not all. ClickWhale combines some useful marketing features in one plugin. Let's take a closer look:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGsDweJwA94]

## ⭐️ Link Manager: A must-have for affiliate marketing
Are you looking for a WordPress [link manager](https://clickwhale.pro/link-manager/?utm_source=WordPress.org&utm_medium=Plugin+Description&utm_campaign=ClickWhale+-+Free+Version&utm_term=Link+Manager) plugin to organize all your placed affiliate links? Then you've found it!

- **Easily create and manage links** - Create your links to track and organize them into categories.
- **Apply SEO settings to links** - Flag your links with SEO attributes like “no follow” or “sponsored”.
- **Place and share links** - Place your created links anywhere in your website content or share them on social media.
- **Link scanner** - Check which posts and pages a link is placed on so that it can be replaced or removed if necessary.
- **Click statistics** - Analyze the clicks of your links with our click statistics.

***Practical example***: Turn a long URL into, e.g. `domain.com/link/product` 🤩

All of these key features are available in this free version of [ClickWhale](https://clickwhale.pro/?utm_source=WordPress.org&utm_medium=Plugin+Description&utm_campaign=ClickWhale+-+Free+Version). That’s some crazy value!

## 🔥 Link Pages: Update & share your content on Social Media
Moreover, we are the great plugin to **create your own [link page](https://clickwhale.pro/linkpages/?utm_source=WordPress.org&utm_medium=Plugin+Description&utm_campaign=ClickWhale+-+Free+Version&utm_term=Link+Pages)** or link in bio page for social media - within your own WordPress site!

- **Easily add and manage links** - Add previously created links to your link pages. Or add custom links, pages, posts and much more. Change their order via drag & drop or customize link titles.
- **Manage contents** - Enter your link page title and description texts. Upload your brand or website logo.
- **Customize appearance** - Set the background color for your link page, as well as the font colors of the texts. Don't forget to adjust the button colors as well!
- **You choose the URL** - Determine the URL under which the link page is accessible on your website, and you are ready to go.
- **Optimize your link page for SEO** - Enter SEO and Open Graph metadata and test how they look right after via a preview link!

Here you can find a [live example](https://clickwhale.pro/links/?utm_source=WordPress.org&utm_medium=Plugin+Description&utm_campaign=ClickWhale+-+Free+Version&utm_term=Link+Pages%3A+Demo+Link) of our own link page, created with ClickWhale, of course!

## 🕵 Tracking Codes: Place tracking codes and scripts (e.g. Analytics)
ClickWhale also offers you the possibility to embed any [tracking codes](https://clickwhale.pro/tracking-codes/?utm_source=WordPress.org&utm_medium=Plugin+Description&utm_campaign=ClickWhale+-+Free+Version&utm_term=Tracking+Codes) or code snippets directly on your website without having to intervene in the code of your website.

- **Place all the codes and snippets you need!** - For example: Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, Google Conversion Tracking  - simply all the codes you need!
- **Output the code snippet only where you want it to go** - Determine whether the code should apply to the entire website or all pages or posts, or only to specific content such as individual posts, categories and so on.
- **Exclude User Roles** - The code snippet should not be executed for certain user roles of your website? No problem! Set that yourself!

From now on, you don't need a third-party service, you save on monthly subscriptions and have full control. All this, on your own domain. Brilliant, isn't it?

## 👨‍💻 Developer friendly: Hooks and WP REST API
In line with the philosophy “by developers for developers,” we have made it possible for developers and experienced users to customize our plugin to their needs:

- **Filter and action hooks** - Ready-to-use filters and actions to apply dynamic adjustments according to your needs.
- **WP REST API routes** - Ready-to-use API routes to connect our plugin to third-party tools. Access is limited to Administrators by default and can be configured for other roles in the plugin settings (Access Level). Note: Only roles with "upload_files" capability can be granted access.

The above-mentioned functions are available to everyone, and you can find more information in our [developer documentation](https://github.com/fdmedia-io/clickwhale-developers/?utm_source=WordPress.org&utm_medium=Plugin+Description&utm_campaign=ClickWhale+-+Free+Version&utm_term=Developers).

## 🌟 ClickWhale PRO brings even more features 🌟
Do you want to get even more out of your affiliate marketing and improve your results?

Here are the highlights of [ClickWhale PRO](https://clickwhale.pro/upgrade/?utm_source=WordPress.org&utm_medium=Plugin+Description&utm_campaign=ClickWhale+-+Free+Version&utm_term=ClickWhale+PRO) below:

- **Keyword Auto Linker** - Define keywords that will be automatically replaced with links throughout your posts, pages and custom post types.
- **Detailed Analytics** - Gain the ability to track UTM campaigns with better parameters for exceptional campaign efficacy.
- **UTM Campaign Tracking** - Dedicated statistics admin page which allows you to filter and analyze clicks and views on links and link pages.
- **E-Commerce Conversion Tracking** - Easily place conversion tracking codes to track the performance of your WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads store.
- **Advanced Customization Options** - Additional features from the plugin to customize link pages include options to add branded backgrounds, images, and more.
- **Blog Post Feeds** - Automatically show the latest blog posts directly on your link pages for further reach.
- **Forms Block** - Easily add forms from popular WordPress form plugins to your link page and collect leads or feedback from your social media followers.
- **Social Profiles** - Add your social profiles to your link page to gain more followers on your favorite social networks.

This was just a selection of the additional features that await you. If you already like ClickWhale, then you should definitely consider [upgrading](https://clickwhale.pro/upgrade/?utm_source=WordPress.org&utm_medium=Plugin+Description&utm_campaign=ClickWhale+-+Free+Version&utm_term=Upgrade+to+Pro).

You won't regret it. ✊

== Installation ==

This plugin is easy to install and configure.

1. Upload the `clickwhale` directory to the `/wp-content/plugins/` directory
2. Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' menu in WordPress
3. Visit the settings page, which can be found under the menu: ClickWhale

On the settings page, you will find all the instructions and credentials which are necessary to configure the plugin.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Is ClickWhale GDPR compatible? =

ClickWhale is a fully GDPR compatible WordPress plugin. We don’t track or store any data ourselves.

= Is there a live demo for the plugin? =

Indeed, there is a [live](https://clickwhale.pro/link/live-demo/) where you can try out the plugin for yourself without any obligation. It only takes a few seconds to spin up!

= Multisite supported? =

Yes! ClickWhale can be used on multisite installations.

= Is ClickWhale translation ready? =

Yes, ClickWhale has full translation and localization support via the `clickwhale` textdomain. Based on your site language, required `.mo` and `.po` translation files will be downloaded and placed into the default WordPress languages directory.

= Where can I find source code for included libraries and built assets? =

This plugin includes generated (compiled) JavaScript and CSS assets from third-party libraries.

The non-compiled, human-readable source code and build configuration for these libraries are publicly available at the following locations:

* [Select2](https://github.com/select2/select2/tree/4.1.0-rc.0)
* [Freemius SDK](https://github.com/Freemius/wordpress-sdk)

= How can I report security bugs? =

You can report security bugs through the Patchstack Vulnerability Disclosure Program. The Patchstack team help validate, triage and handle any security vulnerabilities. [Report a security vulnerability.](https://patchstack.com/database/vdp/53a6f715-b43a-4cc3-ab77-604864fc65d2)

= Do you offer support? =
Of course! We offer support in the [support forum](https://WordPress.org/support/plugin/clickwhale/) here on WordPress.org

== External Services ==

This plugin utilizes third-party services to ensure proper licensing, provide optional features, and improve user experience. By using these features, data may be sent to external providers.

**1. ClickWhale.pro (Subscription Service)**
*   **Service URL:** https://clickwhale.pro
*   **Purpose:** Allows users to optionally subscribe to our newsletter and pro-version updates directly from the admin interface.
*   **Data Sent:** Email address and first name (only if provided by the user).
*   **When:** Data is sent only when the user explicitly clicks the "Subscribe" button in the ClickWhale admin area.
*   **Privacy Policy:** [https://clickwhale.pro/privacy-policy/](https://clickwhale.pro/privacy-policy/)

**2. Freemius (Licensing and Insights)**
*   **Service URL:** https://freemius.com
*   **Purpose:** Handles plugin licensing, automatic updates, and provides optional usage analytics to help us improve the plugin.
*   **Data Sent:** Site URL, version, PHP version, and other non-sensitive site data as described in Freemius privacy policy.
*   **When:**
    - For licensing/updates: Automatically to verify the license status.
    - For insights: Only if the user explicitly opts-in during plugin activation or via settings.
*   **Terms of Service:** [https://freemius.com/terms/](https://freemius.com/terms/)
*   **Privacy Policy:** [https://freemius.com/privacy/](https://freemius.com/privacy/)

== Screenshots ==

1. Link Manager
2. Links: Overview Page
3. Link Edit Screen
4. Link Pages
5. Link Pages: Customizations
6. Link Pages: Link Management
7. Tracking Codes Overview Page
8. Tracking Code Edit Screen

== Changelog ==

= Version 2.5.3.5 (9th March 2025) =
* Tweak: Removed redundant 'freemius' folder from the plugin's directory

= Version 2.5.3.4 (2nd March 2025) =
* Tweak: Freemius SDK moved to vendor/freemius directory

= Version 2.5.3.3 (26th February 2025) =
* Fix: WordPress Guideline Violations
* Fix: Improved redirect check for clickwhale/admin/slug_exists

= Version 2.5.3.1 (4th February 2025) =
* Fix: WordPress Guideline Violations

= Version 2.5.3 (15th December 2025) =
* Tweak: Improved security and data escaping across the admin interface.
* Fix: Various minor fixes and stability improvements.
* Info: WordPress v6.9 compatibility

= Version 2.5.2 (17th November 2025) =
* Fix: Resolved entity insert failure under certain SQL mode configurations
* Info: WordPress v6.8.3 compatibility

= Version 2.5.1 (15th September 2025) =
* New: Added option to override default WP favicon on link page
* Tweak: Use button background and text colors for page text highlighting on link pages
* Tweak: Improved font sizes for link page headlines
* Fix: Fixed and optimized data escaping in link export feature

= Version 2.5.0 (18th August 2025) =
* New: Implemented [REST API](https://github.com/fdmedia-io/clickwhale-developers/blob/master/README.md#available-api-routes) for third-party integration
* New: Added link scanner for placed links on site posts and pages
* Tweak: Adjusted slug validation during link import
* Fix: Fixed issue with Content blocks validation on link pages
* Fix: Added author existence check on link pages and tracking codes
* Fix: Fixed issue when HTTP_USER_AGENT header is missing for links and link pages
* Info: WordPress v6.8.2 compatibility
* Info: Updated Freemius SDK to v2.12.1

= Version 2.4.8 (11th June 2025) =
* Tweak: Improved slug existence check for links, link pages and categories
* Tweak: Adjusted slug validation
* Tweak: Adjusted QR Code feature for links
* Tweak: Optimized current page path check for tracking codes
* Tweak: Reduced access control user roles to those that can manage WP media
* Tweak: Adjusted titles on content edit pages
* Fix: Fixed theme support issue for "Create a Legals Menu" on link pages
* Fix: Fixed invalid URL issue for "Open Graph Preview" on link pages

= Version 2.4.7 (18th May 2025) =
* Tweak: Extended access control for user roles
* Fix: Fixed migration UTM fields issue
* Fix: Fixed PHP warning for migration reset action
* Fix: Fixed "Start Migration" button showing during plugin activation
* Info: WordPress v6.8.1 compatibility
* Info: Updated Freemius SDK to v2.12.0

= Version 2.4.6 (26th April 2025) =
* Fix: Fixed "links not working" issue in Custom Content block on link pages
* Fix: Fixed link slug issue for some cases of migration
* Fix: Fixed trailing slash applied to mailto link on link pages
* Fix: Fixed access to settings for Admins and Super Admins on multisite
* Fix: Fixed "textdomain" issue after updating to WP 6.7 version
* Info: WordPress v6.8 compatibility

= Version 2.4.5 (27th March 2025) =
* New: Implemented collection of useful [code snippets](https://github.com/fdmedia-io/clickwhale-hooks) for third-party integration
* New: Added link manager tab on settings page, optimized settings
* New: Added link target options
* Tweak: Added canonical URL for link pages
* Tweak: Adjusted html "lang" attribute for link pages
* Fix: Fixed spacing clashes on link pages in mobile view
* Fix: Fixed the browser tab titles of the individual admin pages
* Fix: Fixed link target for Gutenberg block
* Fix: Fixed tracking code issues
* Info: Added translations for the most popular languages

= Version 2.4.4 (11th February 2025) =
* Tweak: Optimized admin page tabs storage for links and link pages
* Fix: Fixed vulnerabilities to enhance code security
* Fix: Fixed JS "deprecated call" warning
* Info: WordPress v6.7.2 compatibility

= Version 2.4.3 (27th January 2025) =
* Fix: Fixed vulnerabilities to enhance code security
* Info: Updated Freemius SDK to v2.11.0

= Version 2.4.2 (8th January 2025) =
* Fix: Fixed vulnerabilities to enhance code security
* Fix: Fixed PHP "Deprecated" warnings in PHP8.2+

= Version 2.4.1 (21st November 2024) =
* Fix: Ensure the debugger file exists before including it
* Info: WordPress v6.7.1 compatibility

= Version 2.4.0 (21st November 2024) =
* New: Added hooks to insert third-party plugins code in the page header and footer
* Tweak: Enhanced the admin pages documentation widgets
* Fix: Adjusted use of image attachments for case when image was deleted from WP Media Library
* Info: WordPress v6.7 compatibility
* Info: Updated Freemius SDK to v2.9.0

= Version 2.3.0 (2nd October 2024) =
* Fix: Fixed "Deprecated: strip_tags()" issue occurred on admin pages
* Info: WordPress v6.6.2 compatibility
* Info: Updated Freemius SDK to v2.8.1

= Version 2.2.0 (6th September 2024) =
* Tweak: Enhanced the admin pages documentation widgets
* Fix: Fixed trailing slash applied to custom link with URL parameters on link pages
* Info: WordPress v6.6.1 compatibility
* Info: Updated Freemius SDK to v2.7.4

= Version 2.1.3 (9th May 2024) =
* Fix: Fixed issue when long links were not stored to DB
* Fix: Fixed "Trying to access array offset on value of type null" PHP warning
* Info: WordPress v6.5.3 compatibility

= Version 2.1.2 (29th April 2024) =
* New: Added "Upgrade to PRO" sidebar for admin pages
* Fix: Fixed styles of admin pages header
* Info: Updated Freemius SDK to v2.7.2

= Version 2.1.1 (16th April 2024) =
* Tweak: Optimized admin pages meta title
* Fix: Fixed link redirection

= Version 2.1.0 (15th April 2024) =
* New: Added tab navigation for link edit screen
* Tweak: Tracking is enabled by default now
* Info: WordPress v6.5.2 compatibility
* Info: Updated Freemius SDK to v2.7.0

= Version 2.0.1 (25th February 2024) =
* Fix: Problem with the distribution of assets

= Version 2.0.0 (23rd February 2024) =
* New: Added access control system
* New: Added Freemius update system
* Fix: Fixed unwanted ? or & at the end of links sometimes
* Info: WordPress v6.4.3 compatibility
* Info: PHP version changed from 7.0.0 to 7.4.0

= Version 1.5.3 (1st November 2023) =
* Fix: Fixed problem with fatal_error after click on CW link

= Version 1.5.2 (1st November 2023) =
* Tweak: Updated bots list
* Fix: Fixed PHP Warning: Undefined array key "HTTP_HOST"
* Fix: Fixed links order problem after import
* Fix: Fixed links order in the link page CW Links block

= Version 1.5.1 (12th September 2023) =
* Fix: Fixed a bug when a link has a previously deleted category
* Fix: Fixed problem with export when there are no categories
* Fix: Fixed default link redirect display

= Version 1.5.0 (12th September 2023) =
* New: Import ClickWhale links from CSV file
* New: Export ClickWhale links to CSV file
* New: Links bulk editing
* Fix: Fixed copy button's text after click
* Info: WordPress v6.3 compatibility

= Version 1.4.2 (4th August 2023) =
* Fix: Removed char unwanted html char while link saving
* Info: Updated Link Page Credits URL

= Version 1.4.1 (20th July 2023) =
* Tweak: Added plugin link to the settings page
* Info: PHP, CSS, JS code improvements

= Version 1.4.0 (12th July 2023) =
* Tweak: Link handling optimization
* Info: Clickwhale Pro Support
* Info: PHP, CSS, JS code improvements

= Version 1.3.6 (30th June 2023) =
* Fix: Fixed Warning Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in class-clickwhale-bot.php
* Fix: Fixed a problem where links and linkpages didn't work correct because the site was installed to a subdirectory

= Version 1.3.5 (5th June 2023) =
* Fix: Fixed WordPress database error Duplicate column name linkpage_id

= Version 1.3.4 (18th May 2023) =
* Fix: Fixed an issue where added links on the Link Page might not be saved
* Fix: Fixed an issue that caused an error on the Link Page when using a link that has been removed
* Fix: Fixed an issue that caused an error on the Link Page when using a post (page or custom post type) that has been removed
* Fix: Fixed an issue that caused an error on the Link Page when saving Custom Content Block without a title/subtitle
* Fix: Fixed an issue where the Link Page styles were overlapping with styles from themes or plugins
* Info: WordPress v6.2.1 compatibility

= Version 1.3.3 (12th May 2023) =
* Fix: Fixed a bug when inactive blocks on the Link Page become active again when the plugin is updated
* Info: POT update

= Version 1.3.2 (10th May 2023) =
* New: Subtitle for link on Link Page
* New: Added new Link Page block - custom content with WYSIWYG editor
* New: Added menu selection option for Link Page
* Tweak: Changed plugin styles and scripts load conditions and order
* Tweak: Changed the method of slug validation for Links and Link Pages
* Fix: Link Page logo size on retina displays
* Fix: Required fields validation on a hidden tab on Link Page
* Fix: Fixed an issue where it took more than one click on the save button to save a Link or Link Page
* Info: Optimized Link Page mobile view
* Info: Minor improvements

= Version 1.3.1 (12th April 2023) =
* Tweak: Removed CDN scripts
* Fix: Link Page tabs init
* Fix: Quotes problem in the Link Page blocks
* Info: Minor improvements

= Version 1.3.0 (6th April 2023) =
* New: Link Page builder
* New: Added new Link Page blocks: heading and separator
* New: Link Page contents images
* New: ClickWhale plugin menu in the admin bar
* Tweak: Behavior of link or Link Page url copy action
* Fix: Link to the edit Link Page in the admin bar
* Info: UI/UX improvements
* Info: CSS/JS improvements

= Version 1.2.1 (3rd March 2023) =
* Tweak: Optimized DB queries in the admin area
* Tweak: Plugin buttons labels unified
* Tweak: Added Call to Action button after migration
* Tweak: CSS/JS
* Fix: Update error when new DB tables were not created
* Fix: Tracking Code error when exclude Link Pages select hasn't default value

= Version 1.2.0 (1st March 2023) =
* New: Tracking Codes Manager
* Info: Minor css/js improvements

= Version 1.1.3 (23th February 2023) =
* New: Random slug for new links
* New: Link Page Open Graph live preview
* Fix: Ending slash for links and link pages urls
* Info: Minor improvements

= Version 1.1.2 (15th February 2023) =
* Info: Minor improvements

= Version 1.1.1 (14th February 2023) =
* Fix: Error 500 when open any page/post without created Link Pages
* Fix: Activation/Reactivation Error
* Fix: Warning on Link page if custom logo not uploaded

= Version 1.1.0 (13th February 2023) =
* New: Link Page SEO and Open Graph settings
* New: Adding custom links, posts, pages, custom post types to Link Page
* New: Sort Link Pages by views and clicks
* New: Sort Links by clicks
* Tweak: CSS/JS
* Fix: Error 500 when viewing a Link Page
* Info: PHP version changed from 5.6.0 to 7.0.0

= Version 1.0.0 (11th December 2022) =
* Initial Release