=== Dashdig Analytics === Contributors: dashdig Tags: url shortener, link shortener, analytics, link tracking, short links, bitly alternative, seo links, human readable urls, qr code, link management, click tracking, ai url Requires at least: 6.0 Tested up to: 6.8.5 Requires PHP: 7.4 Stable tag: 1.1.0 License: GPLv2 or later License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html The only WordPress URL shortener that creates human-readable links using AI. Turn bit.ly/3xK9fML into dashdig.com/Nike.Summer.Sale — links people actually trust and click. == Description == **The only WordPress URL shortener that creates human-readable links using AI.** Turn `bit.ly/3xK9fML` into `dashdig.com/Nike.Summer.Sale` — links people actually trust and click. Every link you share is a first impression. Random-character short links look like spam and hurt click-through rates. Dashdig uses AI to generate short links that describe the destination in plain English, so visitors know exactly where they're going before they click. Dashdig Analytics connects your WordPress site to the full Dashdig platform: shorten links, track clicks, scan QR codes, and view AI-powered insights — all without leaving your dashboard. --- **Features:** * **AI-powered human-readable slugs** — links like `dashdig.com/Nike.Summer.Sale` instead of random strings * **Click analytics** — see who clicked, when, and from where * **QR code generation** — every link gets a downloadable QR code automatically * **Link management** — create, edit, and organize all your short links from one place * **Easy one-time API key setup** — connect in under 60 seconds * **Automatic tracking script injection** — zero code required on your site * **Header or footer placement** — choose where the script loads for optimal performance * **Exclude admin users from tracking** — keep your own visits out of the data * **GDPR compliant** — built with privacy in mind * **Lightweight and fast** — async loading, zero impact on page speed --- **Perfect For:** * Bloggers sharing affiliate links who want higher click-through rates * Marketers tracking campaign performance across multiple channels * Content creators building trust with their audience * E-commerce stores driving traffic with branded, readable links * Anyone tired of random-character short links that look like phishing attempts --- **How It Works:** 1. Install and activate the plugin 2. Create a free account at https://dashdig.com 3. Enter your API key in Settings > Dashdig Analytics 4. Start creating human-readable short links from your WordPress dashboard --- == Why Dashdig vs Bitly? == | Feature | Dashdig | Bitly | |---|---|---| | AI-generated human-readable slugs | ✅ Yes | ❌ No — random strings only | | Links people recognize and trust | ✅ dashdig.com/Nike.Summer.Sale | ❌ bit.ly/3xK9fML | | Click analytics | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | | QR code generation | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (paid plans) | | WordPress plugin | ✅ Yes | ❌ No official plugin | | Free tier | ✅ Yes | ✅ Limited | | SEO-friendly readable links | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | AI-powered link suggestions | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | **The bottom line:** Bitly gives you shorter links. Dashdig gives you *better* links — ones your audience actually recognizes, trusts, and clicks. --- == Installation == **Automatic Installation:** 1. Log in to your WordPress admin panel 2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New 3. Search for "Dashdig Analytics" 4. Click "Install Now" and then "Activate" **Manual Installation:** 1. Download the plugin ZIP file 2. Log in to WordPress admin panel 3. Navigate to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin 4. Choose the downloaded ZIP file and click "Install Now" 5. Activate the plugin **Configuration:** 1. Navigate to Settings > Dashdig Analytics 2. Enter your Dashdig API key (get one free at https://dashdig.com) 3. Configure tracking preferences 4. Click "Test API Key" to verify connection 5. Save settings — you're done! --- == External Services == This plugin connects to external Dashdig API services to provide analytics and tracking functionality. Please review this disclosure to understand how external services are used. **Service Used:** This plugin connects to the Dashdig Analytics API hosted at: * API Endpoint: `https://dashdig-production.up.railway.app/api` * Service Provider: Dashdig (https://dashdig.com) **When Connection Occurs:** 1. **API Key Verification** - When you click "Test API Key" in plugin settings, a request is sent to verify your credentials 2. **Front-End Tracking** - When enabled, the tracking script loads on public pages to collect analytics data 3. **Analytics Dashboard** - When viewing analytics data in your WordPress dashboard (if applicable) **Data Transmitted:** The following data may be sent to Dashdig servers: * **During API Verification:** * Your API key and Tracking ID * WordPress site URL * Plugin version information * **During Front-End Tracking:** * Page URLs visited * Referrer information * User interaction data * Anonymous visitor metrics * Browser and device information (user agent) **User Privacy:** * No personally identifiable information (PII) is collected without user consent * IP addresses may be processed for analytics purposes * Users can be excluded from tracking (administrators by default) * Tracking can be disabled at any time in plugin settings **Important Links:** * Dashdig Website: https://dashdig.com * Terms of Service: https://dashdig.com/terms * Privacy Policy: https://dashdig.com/privacy * API Documentation: https://dashdig.com/docs By using this plugin, you acknowledge that data will be transmitted to Dashdig's servers as described above. Please review Dashdig's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy before using this plugin. --- == Frequently Asked Questions == = What makes Dashdig different from other URL shorteners? = Dashdig is the only URL shortener that uses AI to generate human-readable slugs. Instead of random characters like `bit.ly/3xK9fML`, you get descriptive links like `dashdig.com/Nike.Summer.Sale`. Human-readable links earn more clicks because visitors can see where they're going before they arrive. = Do I need a Dashdig account? = Yes, you need a free Dashdig account to get an API key. Sign up at https://dashdig.com — it takes under 60 seconds. = Will this slow down my website? = No. The tracking script loads asynchronously and never blocks page rendering. It's optimized for minimal performance impact and scores well on Core Web Vitals tests. = Does this work with WooCommerce and affiliate links? = Yes. Dashdig works with any URL, including WooCommerce product links, affiliate links, and campaign URLs. Wrap any long or ugly link in a clean, human-readable short link that your audience will trust. = Is this GDPR compliant? = Yes. Dashdig Analytics is designed with privacy in mind and complies with GDPR requirements. No personally identifiable information is collected without consent, administrators are excluded from tracking by default, and tracking can be disabled at any time. = Where do I find my API key? = Log in to your Dashdig dashboard at https://dashdig.com/dashboard and navigate to the Widget or API settings section. Your API key will be displayed there. = Can I place the tracking script in the header instead of the footer? = Yes. You can choose header or footer placement in the plugin settings. Footer placement is recommended for better page load performance, but header placement is available if your analytics setup requires it. = How do I disable tracking temporarily? = Simply uncheck "Enable Tracking" in the plugin settings (Settings > Dashdig Analytics). Your API key will be saved, so you can re-enable tracking at any time without re-entering credentials. = Can I exclude certain users or pages from tracking? = Administrators are excluded from tracking by default. Additional exclusion options (by role, page, or IP) are available from your Dashdig dashboard at https://dashdig.com/dashboard. --- == Screenshots == 1. Settings page - Easy API key configuration 2. Test connection - Verify your API key works 3. Dashdig dashboard - View your analytics 4. Script placement options - Choose header or footer --- == Changelog == = 1.1.0 = * Added activation nudge: non-intrusive admin notice shown 24 hours after install if no API key has been configured, with a direct link to the Dashdig panel * Updated "Tested up to" to WordPress 6.8.5 * Refreshed plugin description to lead with AI-powered human-readable links value proposition * Added "Why Dashdig vs Bitly?" comparison section to readme * Expanded FAQ with 9 common questions covering GDPR, WooCommerce, and performance * Dismissible admin notice uses a secure nonce and stores preference in wp_options = 1.0.0 = * Initial release * API key configuration * Automatic script injection * Header/footer placement options * Admin exclusion option * AJAX API key testing --- == Upgrade Notice == = 1.1.0 = Minor update: adds an optional onboarding nudge for new installs and updates plugin metadata. No breaking changes. = 1.0.0 = Initial release of Dashdig Analytics plugin.