Optional Content
This plugin allows you to show or hide content on a page or post based on a simple shortcode. You don’t need PHP knowledge, or a PHP enabling plugin. Simply use a button on the WYSIWYG editor to select under what…
Consider an alternative
Optional Content shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 40+ sites, is rated 5/5 and was last updated 15 years ago, and scores 31/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (40+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 15 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 3.1 (latest is 7.1)
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where Optional Content stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| conditional content | >100 |
| if | >100 |
| if else | >100 |
| optional content | >100 |
| php | >100 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
Rating breakdown
★★★★★★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews
About Optional Content
From the official readme · v1.1Description
This plugin allows you to show or hide content on a page or post based on a simple shortcode. You don’t need PHP knowledge, or a PHP enabling plugin. Simply use a button on the WYSIWYG editor to select under what condition you would like the content displayed. Fast, simple, and safe. Keep your template files clean by removing your PHP logic. Now allows shortcodes inside of the conditional content.
Display content based on the following conditions:
- Manual on/off setting
- Before, after, or between specific times (repeated daily)
- Before, after or between specific dates
- Based on if the visitor is logged in
- Based on a specific user (by user id) or multiple users (by user id)
- Based on GET variables (variables passed on the URL in the form of http://www.example.com/about/?test=value where the variable is ‘test’)
- Based on POST variables (variables sent via forms)
- Based on REQUEST variables (either GET or POST variables)
Installation
- Upload the folder
optional-contentto the/wp-content/plugins/directory - Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress
- Use the ‘[if]’ button now on the tinyMCE WYSIWYG editor.
Changelog
Upgrade now, fixed bugs, added features
1.1
Fixed issues with selecting a user
Added the ability for multiple users
Now allows for shortcodes inside shortcodes
1.0.0
- Plugin functional and tested by a small group of volunteers
Screenshots
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 Optional Content alternatives
All conditional content plugins →
FAQ
Optional Content: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 8, 2026
Is Optional Content free?
Yes. Optional Content is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Optional Content safe to use in 2026?
Optional Content shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 40+ sites, is rated 5/5 and was last updated 15 years ago, and scores 31/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Optional Content?
Optional Content is active on 40+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 5,964 times since it launched in March 2010. It was downloaded 73 times in the last 30 days.
Does Optional Content work with WordPress 7.1?
Optional Content is officially tested up to WordPress 3.1.4, while the latest release is 7.1.3. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
When was Optional Content last updated?
The latest version, 1.1, was released on June 13, 2011 (15 years ago).
Who makes Optional Content?
Optional Content is developed and maintained by kylegetson.
What are the best alternatives to Optional Content?
The most popular alternatives to Optional Content are Block Visibility (40K+ installs), Logic Hop (80+ installs) and All-in-One Content Restrict… (60+ installs).
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