Opt-in Now for Community and Commercial Plugin Categorization

Commercial Category Selected for Simple Comment Editing Plugin

There are two new categories for WordPress plugins, which can be displayed if a plugin author so wishes. The categories are Commercial and Community.

If your plugin has a pro version or commercial version, you can opt-in to the Commercial category and link to a support page. If your plugin is funded and developed by a community, you can opt-in to the Community category and link to a development repository.

TLDR

To Opt-in, email plugins@wordpress.org with your plugin details and request to opt-in to either the commercial or community taxonomy.

I will go into detail on the difference between commercial plugins and community plugins.

Commercial Plugins

Event Tracking Plugin Page on the WordPress Plugin Directory

You would likely choose the Commercial category if you have a pro or upsell version for a particular plugin.

After you opt-in to the Commercial taxonomy, you’ll be asked to supply a “support” link, which will then be linked.

I asked the plugin team what could be used for the support link. Here is the response.

You can put in whatever link you want, but it’s going to be labeled “support”.

So you should have some form of support information on there. Some way for users of the plug in to get in contact with you. Some way for users to know that you offer good support before they use your plugin.

The Support label is not customizable

When you choose commercial, the link text will be “Support.” This cannot be changed.

In short, you can:

Use whatever link you would like (as long as guidelines aren’t violated)
But it should prominently display a support link

As a reminder, the word “Support” on the WordPress Plugin Directory plugin page cannot be changed.

Community Plugins

I’m not entirely sure what makes a plugin a “Community” plugin, but I imagine if you are relying on the WP community for code changes and funding, then you’re likely fine requesting the Community category.

If you opt-in to the Community taxonomy, you can add a “Contribute” link, which can be used to link to a development repository.

Update

The plugin team would like you to link to your development repository if you are in the Community category.

Link to Development Repository for Community Plugins

Requesting Opt-in

This one is easy. Just email the WordPress plugins team (plugins@wordpress.org) and request to opt-in.

Here’s a sample email you can send:

Hi plugin team,

I’d like to opt-in to the (commercial|community) taxonomy. {brief explanation}

My plugin on .org is here: https://wordpress.org/plugins/your-plugin/

After Approval

Commercial Settings in the Advanced Section

Once the plugins team approves your plugin, you can navigate to the Advanced section of your plugin and enter the URL you would like to show up for your plugin.

Finally, Check Your Plugin Page

Navigate to your plugin and if you see a Commercial or Community badge, you are all set!

What do you think of these new categories?

I think the new categories are kinda cool to be honest. I think it will help commercial plugins differentiate themselves better with an emphasis on support, and that community plugins will have a better way to address their development needs.

By: Ronald Huereca

Published On: on December 25, 2022

Ronald Huereca founded DLX Plugins in 2022 with the goal of providing deluxe plugins available for download. Find out more about DLX Plugins, check out some tutorials, and check out our plugins.