Nested Shortcodes
A small plugin which allows you to use nest shortcodes (i.e. a shortcode within an enclosing shortcode) by implementing a simple do_shortcode filter
Safe pick
Yes — Nested Shortcodes is a safe, well-maintained plugin to use in 2026. It runs on 1K+ sites, is rated 4.8/5 and was last updated 7 days ago, and scores 85/100 on our health check.
- Actively developed — last update 7 days ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Momentum — downloads up 291.4% vs the previous 30 days
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & supportDaily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where Nested Shortcodes stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| do_shortcode | #1 |
| nested | #2 |
| shortcodes | #5 |
| text_widget | #1 |
| the_content | #1 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
Rating breakdown
★★★★★★★★★★ 4.8 from 14 reviews
About Nested Shortcodes
From the official readme · v1.5Description
A small plugin which allows you to use nested shortcodes (i.e. a shortcode within an enclosing shortcode) by implementing a simple “do_shortcode” filter as per the WordPress Codex to content and widgets – see Shortcode_API and do_shortcode
Installation
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Install automatically through the ‘Plugins’, ‘Add New’ menu in WordPress, or upload the ‘nested-shortcodes’ folder to the ‘/wp-content/plugins/’ directory.
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Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress.
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Test by nesting a shortcode within an enclosing shortcode.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any limitations?
Yes. You can see the limitations here
Where do I get help with this plugin?
Email us and we’ll do our best to help you out.
I have an idea as to a new feature. Are you interested?
You bet! We’d love to hear from you, so please get in touch.
Changelog
Tested and stable up to WP7.1.2 and updated icons
1.5
- (24 Sep 2026) Tested and stable up to WP7.1.2 and updated icons
1.4
- (01 Sep 2022) Tested and stable up to WP6.0
1.3
- (29 Aug 2014) Tested and stable up to WP4.0
1.2
- (30 Apr 2014) Tested and stable up to WP3.9
1.1
- (12 Dec 2013) Tested and stable up to WP3.8 and updated author name
1.0
- (03 Jan 2012) Tested and stable up to WP3.3
For developers
Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.
Add a live badge to your site, docs or GitHub README. It updates on its own — no account needed.
Best Nested Shortcodes alternatives
All do_shortcode plugins →| Rank | Plugin | Active installs |
|---|---|---|
| 2 |
bbPress – Do Short Codes
A simple plugin to enable short codes in bbPress topics and replies.
|
100+ |
| 3 |
Do Shortcode Widget EveryWhere – WPSHARE247
Do Shortcode Widget EveryWhere Hiển thị Widget bất cứ đâu bạn muốn
|
10+ |
FAQ
Nested Shortcodes: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 1, 2026
Is Nested Shortcodes free?
Yes. Nested Shortcodes is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Nested Shortcodes safe to use in 2026?
Yes — Nested Shortcodes is a safe, well-maintained plugin to use in 2026. It runs on 1K+ sites, is rated 4.8/5 and was last updated 7 days ago, and scores 85/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Nested Shortcodes?
Nested Shortcodes is active on 1K+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 23,658 times since it launched in August 2011. It was downloaded 865 times in the last 30 days.
Does Nested Shortcodes work with WordPress 7.1?
Yes. The developer has tested Nested Shortcodes up to WordPress 7.1.2, the latest release. It requires WordPress 4.0 or newer.
When was Nested Shortcodes last updated?
The latest version, 1.5, was released on September 24, 2026 (7 days ago).
Who makes Nested Shortcodes?
Nested Shortcodes is developed and maintained by Outerbridge.
What are the best alternatives to Nested Shortcodes?
The most popular alternatives to Nested Shortcodes are bbPress – Do Short Codes (100+ installs) and Do Shortcode Widget EveryWh… (10+ installs).
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