MyListing Explore Categories Addon
The {CODICTS} MyListing Explore Categories Addon plugin enhances the explore page by adding a secondary navigation row of taxonomy term buttons directly beneath the standard listing type tabs. Users can click these category buttons to instantly filter explore page results — without needing to open the search/filter sidebar.
The plugin reads your existing listing type explore tab configuration and surfaces it as a visible, always-accessible category bar, making it faster and more intuitive for users to browse listings by category.
Installation & Activation
Start by downloading the plugin from the Downloads page on your dashboard on the CoDicts website.
After downloading, install and activate the plugin in WordPress by navigating to “Plugins” > “Add New” > “Upload Plugin” and selecting the downloaded zip file. Click “Install Now” and then “Activate”.
The plugin is zero-configuration — there is no settings page. It reads your existing listing type explore tab configuration and automatically displays the category bar on the explore page. All you need is at least one taxonomy configured as an explore tab in your listing type.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Taxonomy Category Bar | Adds a secondary navigation bar of taxonomy term buttons below the listing type tabs on the explore page. |
| Multi-Level Navigation | Supports hierarchical taxonomies — clicking a parent term loads its child terms as a new set of buttons for drill-down browsing. |
| Automatic Tab Detection | Reads the listing type’s configured explore tabs to determine which taxonomies to display. No manual setup beyond MyListing’s existing configuration. |
| Instant Filtering | Clicking a term button immediately filters the explore results to show only matching listings — no page reload needed. |
| Smart Caching | Caches loaded taxonomy terms in memory to avoid redundant requests during the same page session. |
| Carousel Scrolling | When terms overflow the container width, horizontal scrolling with navigation arrows is automatically enabled. |
| Responsive Layout | Adjusts for desktop, tablet, and mobile viewports to prevent overlap with the map and listings panels. |
| RTL Support | Right-to-left language support for carousel scrolling. |
How It Works
When a user visits the explore page, they see the standard listing type tabs at the top (e.g., “Places,” “Events,” “Jobs”). This plugin adds an additional row below those tabs that displays the taxonomy categories configured for the active listing type.
| Scenario | What’s Displayed |
|---|---|
| One taxonomy tab configured | Term buttons load automatically — the category bar shows terms like “Restaurants,” “Bars,” “Cafes” right away. |
| Multiple taxonomy tabs configured | Tab selector buttons appear first (e.g., “Categories,” “Tags”). Click one to see its terms. |
| No taxonomy tabs configured | No category bar is shown. |
Clicking a term button instantly filters the explore results to show only matching listings. If the selected term has child terms, the category bar updates to show the children, allowing drill-down navigation through the taxonomy hierarchy.
Switching listing types (clicking a different type tab at the top) resets the category bar for the new type.
Setting Up Taxonomy Tabs
The plugin reads its data from MyListing’s listing type configuration. To set up the category bar:
1. Navigate to Listing Types in the WordPress admin.
2. Edit the listing type you want to configure (e.g., “Places,” “Events”).
3. Go to Search Forms → Explore Tabs.
4. Add your taxonomy (e.g., Categories, Tags, Regions) as an explore tab.
5. Save the listing type.
The selected taxonomies will now appear as filterable buttons in the category bar on the explore page. Repeat for each listing type you want to enable.
Tip: If you enable “Hide empty” in the explore tab configuration, terms with no associated listings will not appear in the category bar.
Using the Category Explorer on the Frontend
1. Visit the explore page on your site.
2. You’ll see the standard listing type tabs at the top (e.g., “Places,” “Events”).
3. Below those tabs, a second row appears showing either taxonomy type buttons (if multiple tabs are configured) or term buttons (if only one tab is configured).
4. Click a term button to filter the explore results by that term.
5. If the selected term has child terms, the button row updates to show the children — allowing you to browse deeper into the taxonomy hierarchy.
6. Click the same term again to deselect it and return to unfiltered results.
7. Switching listing types (clicking a different type tab) resets the category bar for the new type.
If there are more terms than fit in the bar, horizontal scrolling with navigation arrows is automatically available.
Example Setup
1. Activate the plugin with the MyListing theme active.
2. Go to Listing Types and edit your “Places” listing type.
3. Navigate to Search Forms → Explore Tabs.
4. Add the “Categories” taxonomy as an explore tab. Save.
5. Edit your “Events” listing type. Add both “Categories” and “Tags” taxonomies as explore tabs. Save.
6. Visit the explore page. With “Places” selected, the category bar shows term buttons immediately (e.g., “Restaurants,” “Bars,” “Cafes”) since only one taxonomy is configured. Click “Restaurants” to instantly filter to restaurant listings. If “Restaurants” has child terms (e.g., “Italian,” “Thai,” “Mexican”), the bar updates to show those children for drill-down browsing.
7. Switch to “Events.” The category bar now shows two tab selector buttons: “Categories” and “Tags.” Click “Categories” to see event category terms, or “Tags” to see event tag terms. Click a term to filter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this require a child theme?
No. This plugin does not override any template files and works with or without a child theme.
Is there a settings page?
No. The plugin is zero-configuration. It reads all its data from MyListing’s existing listing type configuration under Search Forms → Explore Tabs.
Where do I configure which taxonomies appear?
In MyListing’s listing type builder. Navigate to your listing type → Search Forms → Explore Tabs, and add the taxonomies you want to appear in the category bar. The plugin reads this configuration automatically.
Does the category bar support hierarchical (nested) taxonomies?
Yes. If a taxonomy has parent-child relationships, clicking a parent term loads and displays its child terms as a new set of buttons. This allows drill-down navigation through the taxonomy hierarchy.
Why don’t I see the category bar on the explore page?
Ensure your listing type has at least one taxonomy configured under Search Forms → Explore Tabs. Also verify that the taxonomy has terms assigned to listings. If “hide empty” is enabled in the tab configuration, terms with no associated listings won’t appear.
Does it work with all explore page templates?
The category bar appears on any page containing MyListing’s explore header element. It does not appear on single listing pages, archives, or other non-explore pages.
Does clicking a term reload the page?
No. Filtering is instant — the plugin uses MyListing’s built-in AJAX system to update results without a page reload.
Does the plugin cache taxonomy terms?
Yes, in memory for the current page session. Once terms are loaded, they are cached so switching between listing types and coming back doesn’t trigger another request. Refreshing the page clears the cache.
Does this conflict with MyListing’s built-in explore tabs?
No. The plugin adds a secondary row below the existing tabs. The original listing type tabs remain fully functional.
Does the plugin create any database tables or store data?
No. The plugin stores no data in the database. It has no settings, no options, and no custom tables.
Troubleshooting
Category Bar Not Appearing
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| No taxonomy explore tabs configured | Edit your listing type and add at least one taxonomy under Search Forms → Explore Tabs. The category bar only appears when taxonomy tabs are configured. |
| Not on the explore page | The category bar only appears on MyListing’s explore/search page. It does not appear on single listing pages, archives, or other pages. |
| Plugin not activated | Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins and verify the plugin is active. |
| MyListing theme not active | The plugin requires the MyListing theme. Verify it’s active under Appearance → Themes. |
| JavaScript error | Check the browser console (F12 → Console) for errors. Conflicts with other scripts can prevent the category bar from rendering. |
Terms Not Showing in the Category Bar
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| “Hide empty” enabled | If “hide empty” is enabled in the explore tab configuration, terms with no associated published listings won’t appear. Either disable “hide empty” or assign listings to the taxonomy terms. |
| No terms created | The taxonomy must have terms created and assigned to listings. Go to the taxonomy editor and add terms. |
| Wrong taxonomy configured | Verify the correct taxonomy is added as an explore tab in the listing type’s Search Forms settings. |
Clicking a Term Doesn’t Filter Results
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| JavaScript error | Check the browser console (F12 → Console) for errors. The filtering relies on MyListing’s JavaScript API. |
| MyListing theme update | A major MyListing theme update may change internal JavaScript APIs that the plugin depends on. Check for a plugin update or contact support. |
Category Bar Overlaps the Map or Listings
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Custom CSS conflict | If you have custom CSS targeting the explore page layout, it may conflict with the plugin’s layout adjustments. Check for conflicting styles on .explore-head, .finder-map, or .finder-listings. |
| MyListing theme update | A theme update may change the explore page layout structure. Check for a plugin update. |
Category Bar Styling Looks Different from Listing Type Tabs
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
Custom CSS targeting .explore-head | The category bar inherits styles from MyListing’s .explore-head class. Custom CSS targeting that class will also affect the category bar. To exclude it, use .explore-head:not(.codicts-category-explorer) in your CSS selectors. |
For further support, visit codicts.com or contact us at support@codicts.com.