Simple Expand – Lightweight Read more toggle
Adds an [expand] shortcode that wraps content in a native HTML `` toggle. No JavaScript, no settings page, no bloat.
Use with caution
Simple Expand works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 50+ sites and was last updated 5 months ago, and scores 46/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (50+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.9 (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 Simple Expand stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| details | >100 |
| expand | #28 |
| readmore | #5 |
| shortcode | >100 |
| toggle | >100 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
About Simple Expand
From the official readme · v1.3Description
A single shortcode you can drop into any post, page, or text widget to get a click-to-expand “read more” toggle. The output is a native HTML <details> element styled with a small inline stylesheet — nothing else.
The point is the absence of features. There is no settings page, no animation library, no editor block panel with twelve toggles. If you need a read-more on one paragraph in one post, you do not want a plugin that wants to manage your whole site.
Usage:
[expand title="My title"]
The content goes here.
<img src="even-images-can-go-in-here.jpg" />
And wrap up with a closing expand tag.
[/expand]
Supports a custom CSS class via [expand class="my-class"] and works with WordPress oEmbeds and other shortcodes nested inside.
Installation
- Upload
/simple-expand/to the/wp-content/plugins/directory. - Activate the plugin through the Plugins menu in WordPress.
- Place
[expand]shortcodes in your posts or pages.
Frequently asked questions
Does this work in the block editor?
Yes. The shortcode renders inside any paragraph or shortcode block.
Can I style it myself?
Yes. Add your own CSS targeting details.jhse-expand (or pass class="my-class" to the shortcode and target that).
Changelog
Plugin Check compliance fixes (license header, ABSPATH check, style version). No functional changes.
1.3
- Added
Licenseheader to plugin file (wp.org Plugin Check requirement). - Added direct file access protection (
ABSPATHcheck). - Added explicit version to
wp_register_style()call. - Tested up to WordPress 6.9.
1.2
- Breaking: CSS class changed from
.expandto.jhse-expand. If you have custom CSS targeting.expand, update it to.jhse-expand. - Custom CSS class support via
[expand class="my-class"]. - Use
wp_add_inline_styleinstead of inline style tag. - Removed duplicate iframe attributes.
- Fixed Plugin URI.
- Tested up to WordPress 6.7.
- Updated minimum PHP requirement to 7.4.
1.1
- Added support for YouTube and other iframe embeds inside expand tag (also WP built in embeds).
1.0.1
- Added support for shortcode in expand tag.
1.0
- Initial release.
Screenshots
For developers
Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.
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FAQ
Simple Expand: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 30, 2026
Is Simple Expand free?
Yes. Simple Expand is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Simple Expand safe to use in 2026?
Simple Expand works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 50+ sites and was last updated 5 months ago, and scores 46/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Simple Expand?
Simple Expand is active on 50+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 4,132 times since it launched in February 2022. It was downloaded 78 times in the last 30 days.
Does Simple Expand work with WordPress 7.1?
Simple Expand is officially tested up to WordPress 6.9.9, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
What PHP version does Simple Expand need?
Simple Expand requires PHP 7.4 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was Simple Expand last updated?
The latest version, 1.3, was released on May 3, 2026 (5 months ago).
Who makes Simple Expand?
Simple Expand is developed and maintained by Jonas Hjalmarsson.
What are the best alternatives to Simple Expand?
The most popular alternatives to Simple Expand are Toggles (2K+ installs), Contact Details (1K+ installs) and Contact Details (300+ installs).
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