=== Instant Knowledge Base – AI Knowledge Base, Documentation, Wiki & Help Center === Contributors: 7thskysoftware Donate link: https://www.7thskysoftware.com/ Tags: knowledge base, documentation, help center, FAQ, wiki, Requires at least: 4.9 Tested up to: 6.8 Requires PHP: 7.4 Stable tag: 1.0.8 License: GPL v2 or later License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html Plugin URI: https://7thskysoftware.com/instant-knowledge-base/ Author URI: https://www.7thskysoftware.com/ Create a fast, searchable knowledge base and docs in WordPress with AI search, FAQ schema, and analytics. == Description == **Instant Knowledge Base** helps you launch a modern self-service help center in minutesβ€”perfect for product docs, SaaS onboarding, internal SOPs, and FAQs. It includes a clean UI, **AJAX live search**, **FAQ schema for rich results**, role-based access, and flexible templates. Reduce tickets, improve CSAT, and keep answers consistent across your site. **Highlights** - **AI-assisted search & AJAX filters** for instant results. - **Custom post type** for structured articles plus **Help Topics (categories)**. - **FAQ system with Google FAQ schema** for SEO-friendly snippets. - **Role-based access** (global + per-article overrides). - **Related & most-viewed articles**, **breadcrumbs**, and **icons** for topics. - **Fully responsive** and theme-friendly. - **Shortcode** to embed anywhere: `[instant_knowledgebase]`. **Why it’s different** - Built for **speed and clarity** (reduces support friction). - Thoughtful **privacy/GDPR** controls (analytics respect consent). - **Templates** for home, category, and single views; upgrade for premium designs. --- https://youtu.be/IZZ_anhY97E == LIVE DEMO: == [DEMO](https://7thskysoftware.com/knowledge-base/) --- = Free features = - Modern, responsive layout - Custom post type for Knowledge Base Articles - Help Topics (categories) + hierarchy - Real-time **AJAX search** and filters - Shortcode: `[instant_knowledgebase]` - Related and Most Viewed articles - Like/Dislike feedback - Breadcrumbs and topic icons - Role-based access (global + per-article) - GDPR consent handling (analytics respect consent) - FAQ manager with schema (from 1.0.5) - Category visibility controls & empty-category options = Premium (optional) = - **Advanced analytics dashboard**: searches, engagement, article performance - **Conversion funnels** & automated insights - **External analytics** (GA4, Mixpanel) - **Advanced search UI** (dropdown, live suggestions) - **Premium templates**: Help Center Modern, Opt-in Focus v2, Content Focus - **Hero section builder** & typography (Google Fonts) - **Interactive checklists** and single checkboxes - **PDF export** (articles & reports) - **KB Widget** `[ikbase_widget]` + widget analytics - Custom article ordering within categories --- = 🎨 Premium Templates = - **[Premium] Help Center Modern** – Professional help center layout with modern design - **[Premium] Opt-in Focus v2** – Lead generation focused template with conversion optimization - **[Premium] Content Focus** – Content-first layout for comprehensive documentation --- = πŸ‘¨β€πŸ’» Help Center & Support = Need help setting up? Want to explore features or request support? - πŸ“˜ [Full Documentation](https://7thskysoftware.com/knowledge-base/) - πŸŽ₯ [YouTube Video Tutorials](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLer8JCsTREH_HsGTkBBOsHjzZ01fo2qwy) - πŸ’¬ [Support Forum on WordPress.org](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/instant-knwledgebase/) - 🌐 [Plugin Homepage](https://7thskysoftware.com/instant-knowledge-base/) = πŸ’™ Love Instant Knowledgebase? = If this plugin saves you time or improves your support process, show your support: - ⭐ [Leave a 5-Star Review](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/instant-knwledgebase/reviews/#new-post) - β˜• [Donate to Support Development](https://www.7thskysoftware.com/donate) - πŸ“Ί [Subscribe to our YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/@7thskywp) --- == Screenshots == 1. **Knowledge Base Home** – Search bar and categories layout 2. **Default Template (Free) – Home Page** – Clean homepage layout with search and category structure 3. **Compact Template (Premium) – Single Article Page** – Focused article layout for easy reading 4. **Compact Template (Premium) – Category Page** – Condensed view of categories and topics 5. **Compact Template (Premium) – Home Page** – Minimalist home layout with compact blocks 6. **Default Template (Free) – Single Article Page** – Basic article layout with sidebar navigation 7. **Opt-in Focus (Premium) – Category Page** – Conversion-optimized category view with opt-in section 8. **Opt-in Focus (Premium) – Home Page** – Homepage design focused on lead capture 9. **Opt-in Focus (Premium) – Single Article** – Article layout with emphasis on engagement and signups 10. **Content Focus (Premium) – Home Page** – Documentation-style home layout with clarity and space 11. **Content Focus (Premium) – Single Article Page** – Reader-focused article format for tutorials or guides 12. **Help Center Modern (Premium) – Category Page** – Sleek, modern layout for browsing categories 13. **Help Center Modern (Premium) – Home Page** – Stylish homepage with helpful CTAs and structure 14. **Help Center Modern (Premium) – Single Article** – Vibrant article design with clean typography 15. **GDPR and Privacy Policy** – Settings panel for managing privacy and compliance preferences 16. **Knowledge Base Layout and Appearance** – Customize layout elements, colors, and styles 17. **Knowledge Base Analytics Page** – Track article views, feedback, and engagement 18. **Knowledge Base General Settings** – Core plugin settings and configuration panel 19. **Knowledge Base Analytics Dashboard** – Overview of knowledge base performance and trends 20. **Knowledge Base Analytics Chart and Graphs** – Visual data for traffic, searches, and performance 21. **Knowledge Base Analytics Article Performance** – Detailed stats on individual articles 22. **Typography Options** – Customize fonts, sizes, and line spacing for readability --- --- == Installation == You can install the Instant Knowledgebase plugin in three ways: = Automatic = 1. In **Plugins β†’ Add New**, search for **Instant Knowledge Base**. 2. Click **Install Now**, then **Activate**. = Upload = 1. Download the ZIP. 2. Go to **Plugins β†’ Add New β†’ Upload Plugin**. 3. Upload the ZIP, **Install Now**, then **Activate** --- == Frequently Asked Questions == = How do I display the knowledge base on my site? = Use the [instant_knowledgebase] shortcode on any WordPress page or post to display the knowledge base. = Can I restrict access to certain users? = Yes. You can enable user-role restrictions from Settings > Knowledge Base to control who can view articles. = Is this plugin mobile-friendly? = Yes, it is fully responsive and optimized for smartphones and tablets. = Can I customize the look and feel? = Absolutely. You can apply custom CSS or override the plugin's templates to match your site's branding. = Does it include article analytics? = Yes. Built-in view counters, like/dislike feedback system, and comprehensive analytics dashboard help track user engagement. = Can I import or export articles? = Yes. The plugin includes import/export functionality for easy backup and transfer of knowledge base content. = Does this plugin support FAQs? = Yes. From v1.0.5, you can enable a dedicated FAQ system with schema markup for SEO. = Can I hide certain categories? = Yes. Categories can be hidden or shown on the frontend from category settings (new in 1.0.5). = Can I hide empty categories? = Yes. There’s a global option in **Basic Settings** to show/hide empty help topics. = Does it include analytics? = Yes. Free users get basic counters & feedback. Premium users get advanced analytics, conversion funnels, and external integrations (GA4, Mixpanel). = Can I use the widget anywhere? = Yes. Premium users can use `[ikbase_widget]` to embed a KB widget anywhere. = Can I change the terms "Articles" and "Categories"? = Yes. You can rename "Articles" to "Knowledge Base" and "Categories" to "Help Topics" in the settings. = How do I organize articles? = Articles can be grouped using help topics (formerly categories) for better organization and navigation. = Can I control access per article? = Yes. You can set access permissions globally or override them on a per-article basis. = What happens when I uninstall the plugin? = The plugin provides options to retain or remove data, giving you more control during uninstallation. = What analytics features are available? = The plugin includes search analytics, article performance tracking, user engagement metrics, and exportable reports. [Premium features require a premium license.] = Can I use custom fonts? = Yes. The plugin supports Google Fonts integration and custom typography settings. [Premium feature requires a premium license.] = Are there premium templates available? = Yes. Premium templates include Help Center Modern, Opt-in Focus v2, and Content Focus layouts. [Premium features require a premium license.] --- == Changelog == = 1.0.8 – 2025-10-21 = πŸš€ **Major Update: Complete FAQ Template System & Navigation Improvements** ✨ Feature: Style-specific FAQ templates – all FAQ URLs now support style selection (Default, Compact, Content Focus) ✨ Feature: FAQ category taxonomy templates – complete template system for FAQ category pages (`/faq-category/`) ✨ Feature: Compact style FAQ templates – archive, single, and category templates with modern gradient design ✨ Feature: Enhanced FAQ breadcrumb system – automatically includes "Knowledge Base > FAQ > Category" hierarchy ✨ Feature: Fallback content processing function – ensures compatibility when Pro plugin is not active ✨ Feature: Complete separation of premium features into standalone Pro plugin ✨ Feature: Added complete French (France) translation with 30+ translated strings ✨ Feature: Added complete Spanish (Spain) translation with 30+ translated strings 🎨 Improvement: All FAQ templates follow consistent design standards matching article templates πŸ”§ Tweak: Related FAQs and category links added to single FAQ templates πŸ”§ Tweak: Search functionality integrated into all FAQ archive templates πŸ›  Fix: Template hierarchy now properly supports all FAQ URLs (archive, single, category) = 1.0.7 – 2025-09-15 = πŸ›  Fix: Minor bug fixes and improvements πŸ›  Fix: Enhanced stability and performance optimizations = 1.0.6 = πŸ”§ Fix: Shortcodes in article content now display as plain text instead of being executed ✨ Feature: Article ordering within categories - set custom order numbers for articles (Premium) ✨ Feature: Subcategories with parent category relationships - organize content hierarchically ✨ Feature: Interactive checklists - add checkable task lists to articles (Premium) ✨ Feature: Single checkboxes - add individual checkboxes anywhere in articles (Premium) 🎨 Improvement: Optimized article content spacing - reduced line spacing and list item spacing for better readability 🎨 Improvement: Updated default layout with clean "Was this helpful?" feedback system and simplified "Also Read" section ✨ Feature: Customizable widget text - edit widget title and subtitle from Knowledge Base > Settings > Widget = 1.0.5 = πŸš€ **Major Update: Advanced Analytics, FAQs & Content Management** ✨ Feature: Category visibility controls – hide or show help topics/categories on the frontend ✨ Feature: Admin interface – added β€œFrontend Visibility” dropdown in category editor ✨ Feature: Category list view – new β€œVisibility” column with status indicators ✨ Feature: Empty categories setting – option to show/hide empty help topics ✨ Feature: FAQ system – enable/disable from settings with dedicated categories ✨ Feature: Google FAQ structured data – proper schema markup for SEO rich snippets ✨ Feature: Default FAQ category – automatically created when FAQ system is enabled ✨ Feature: [Premium] Knowledge Base Widget `[ikbase_widget]` with customization options ✨ Feature: [Premium] Real-time analytics dashboard with live activity tracking ✨ Feature: [Premium] Conversion funnel tracking with visualization ✨ Feature: [Premium] External analytics integration with Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Mixpanel ✨ Feature: [Premium] Automated insights and recommendations system ✨ Feature: [Premium] Widget-specific analytics tracking and performance monitoring ✨ Feature: [Premium] Advanced activity feed with user behavior visualization πŸ”§ Tweak: Hidden categories are excluded from frontend but remain accessible via direct URL πŸ”§ Tweak: Updated templates to support category filtering consistently πŸ”§ Tweak: Empty category logic improved – global setting to hide them from frontend πŸ”§ Tweak: FAQ SEO optimization – FAQs follow Google schema guidelines πŸ”§ Tweak: [Premium] Widget – improved customization, responsive design, and AJAX search πŸ”§ Tweak: Enhanced analytics database structure for real-time data and funnels πŸ”§ Tweak: Improved error handling, debugging, and security for analytics endpoints πŸ›  Fix: Fixed real-time analytics data refresh and display issues πŸ›  Fix: Resolved conversion funnel visualization and loading problems πŸ›  Fix: Improved analytics tracking reliability and consistency πŸ›  Fix: Enhanced widget analytics with proper event tracking = 1.0.4 = ✨ Feature: [Premium] Content editor tools with code formatting and content boxes (Tip, Info, Warning) ✨ Feature: [Premium] Media support with image, GIF, video, and iFrame embedding via WordPress Media Library ✨ Feature: Image Lightbox – Click any editor-inserted image/GIF to open a fullscreen preview with next/previous navigation and keyboard support (Arrow keys, Esc) ✨ Feature: [Premium] iFrame embedding with customizable dimensions and responsive design ✨ Feature: Editor toolbar buttons for Tip, Info, Warning, GIF, Video, and iFrame now use icons for a cleaner, consistent UI ✨ Feature: Automatic frontend styling for code blocks, content boxes, media elements, and iFrames πŸ›  Fix: Import/Export – Improved reliability, added support for all settings, categories, and tags, and enhanced security checks πŸ”§ Tweak: Enhanced frontend styling with responsive design and dark theme support πŸ”§ Tweak: Improved import/export interface with clearer messages and better usability πŸ”§ Tweak: Rebranded footer text to β€œPowered by Seventh Sky” across templates and admin preview πŸ›  Fix: Branding visibility logic – free users always see branding; licensed users can enable it via β€œShow Plugin Branding” (no longer auto-disabled by license) ✨ Feature: Slug/Permalink improvement – you can now use a page at /knowledgebase without conflicts; the CPT archive auto-disables when a page with the same slug exists, while single article URLs remain at /knowledgebase/{article}. After creating/removing the page, re-save Permalinks to flush rewrites = 1.0.3 = πŸš€ **Major Update: Analytics & Premium Features** ✨ Feature: [Premium] Comprehensive analytics dashboard with search tracking, article performance, and user engagement metrics ✨ Feature: [Premium] Advanced hero section builder with customizable backgrounds, animations, and content ✨ Feature: [Premium] Premium templates (Help Center Modern, Opt-in Focus v2, Content Focus) with enhanced layouts ✨ Feature: [Premium] GDPR compliance tools with customizable cookie consent banner ✨ Feature: [Premium] Typography customization with Google Fonts integration ✨ Feature: [Premium] Export/Import functionality for easy data management and backup ✨ Feature: Article hierarchy system with sections, subcategories, and article types ✨ Feature: Breadcrumb navigation for improved user experience ✨ Feature: [Premium] PDF export functionality for reports and articles ✨ Feature: [Premium] Performance tracking with scroll depth and time spent metrics ✨ Feature: [Premium] Advanced search features including dropdown search and live suggestions πŸ”§ Tweak: Enhanced admin interface with improved settings organization πŸ”§ Tweak: Better mobile responsiveness across all templates πŸ”§ Tweak: Improved search algorithm for more relevant results πŸ”§ Tweak: Enhanced user role management and access controls πŸ›  Fix: Various bug fixes and performance improvements πŸ›  Fix: Improved compatibility with different WordPress themes πŸ›  Fix: Enhanced security measures and data validation = 1.0.2 = ✨ Feature: Added option to restrict knowledge base access to logged-in users. This can be set globally, with the option to override on individual articles. ✨ Feature: Introduced import/export functionality for easier data management. ✨ Feature: Added more user control during uninstallation. πŸ”§ Tweak: Renamed Articles to Knowledge Base. πŸ”§ Tweak: Renamed Categories to Help Topics. πŸ”§ Tweak: Improved UI/UX for a smoother user experience. πŸ›  Fix: Minor bug fixes and performance enhancements. = 1.0.1 = πŸ” Improvement: Enhanced relevance of search results. 🎨 Fix: Corrected search result alignment to better match theme settings. = 1.0.0 = πŸš€ Initial Release πŸ“š Custom post type for Knowledge Base Articles πŸ“š Category-based organization πŸ“š AJAX-powered search and filters πŸ“š Shortcode support πŸ“š User role-based access restrictions πŸ“š Related Articles and Most Viewed sections πŸ“š Like/Dislike feedback system πŸ“š Fully responsive design πŸ“š Support for custom templates and CSS overrides == Upgrade Notice == This plugin is free. Additional features and premium support are available at: https://7thskysoftware.com/instant-knowledge-base/