Local Directory provides 8 shortcodes — special tags wrapped in square brackets (like [local-directory]) that WordPress replaces with dynamic content when the page loads. Every shortcode is also available as a Gutenberg block and an Elementor widget. Gutenberg is the built-in WordPress page editor (also called the Block Editor), where blocks are the individual content elements you add to pages. You can use whichever editor you prefer. Boolean attributes accept true, 1, or yes (and false, 0, or no for the opposite).
[local-directory]
The main directory page shortcode. Renders the search form, interactive map, and a paginated listing grid or list. This is typically the only shortcode you need for a complete directory page.
| Attribute | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
per_page |
int | 0 |
Listings per page. 0 uses the value from Settings. |
category |
int | 0 |
Filter by category term ID. 0 shows all categories. |
location |
int | 0 |
Filter by location term ID. 0 shows all locations. |
layout |
string | map-left |
Page layout. Options: map-left, map-right, map-top, no-map, full. |
show_map |
bool | true |
Show the interactive map panel. |
show_search |
bool | true |
Show the search form above listings. |
map_height |
string | 400px |
CSS height value for the map container. |
view |
string | (empty) | Listing display mode: grid or list. Empty uses the Settings default. |
orderby |
string | date |
Sort order. Options: date, title, rating, rand. |
show_radius |
bool | false |
Show the radius / distance filter in the search form. |
show_rating |
bool | false |
Show the minimum rating filter. |
show_status |
bool | false |
Show the business open/closed status filter. |
show_address |
bool | false |
Show address autocomplete field. Requires a Google Places API key in Settings. |
show_price |
bool | false |
Show the price range filter ($ to $$$$). |
Usage Example
[local-directory layout="map-top" per_page="12" show_radius="true" show_price="true"][ld-listings]
A standalone listing grid or list without a map or search form. Ideal for embedding a curated set of listings on any page, sidebar widget, or landing page section.
| Attribute | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
per_page |
int | 0 |
Listings per page. 0 uses the Settings default. |
category |
string | (empty) | Filter by category slugs, comma-separated. |
location |
string | (empty) | Filter by location slug. |
view |
string | (empty) | Display mode: grid or list. Empty uses the Settings default. |
orderby |
string | date |
Sort field: date, title, rating, rand. |
order |
string | DESC |
Sort direction: ASC or DESC. |
featured |
string | (empty) | Set to true to show only featured listings. |
favorites |
string | (empty) | Set to true to show only the current user's favorites. |
columns |
int | 3 |
Number of grid columns (1–4). Only applies in grid view. |
Usage Example
[ld-listings category="restaurants,cafes" view="grid" columns="4"][ld-map]
A standalone interactive map showing listing markers. Use it on landing pages, in sidebars, or anywhere you want a map without listing cards.
| Attribute | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
category |
int | 0 |
Filter markers by category term ID. 0 shows all. |
location |
int | 0 |
Filter markers by location term ID. 0 shows all. |
featured |
bool | false |
Show only markers for featured listings. |
height |
string | 400px |
CSS height for the map container. |
zoom |
int | Settings | Initial zoom level. Uses the value from Settings if omitted. |
center_lat |
string | (empty) | Latitude for the initial map center. Empty auto-fits markers. |
center_lng |
string | (empty) | Longitude for the initial map center. Empty auto-fits markers. |
Usage Example
[ld-map height="500px" zoom="12" center_lat="40.7128" center_lng="-74.0060"][ld-search]
A standalone search form. Place it in a hero section, sidebar, or header area to let visitors search your directory from any page. The form submits to the main directory page.
| Attribute | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
show_keyword |
bool | true |
Show the keyword / text search input. |
show_category |
bool | true |
Show the category dropdown filter. |
show_location |
bool | true |
Show the location dropdown filter. |
show_radius |
bool | false |
Show the radius / distance filter. |
show_rating |
bool | false |
Show the minimum rating filter. |
show_status |
bool | false |
Show the business open/closed status filter. |
show_address |
bool | false |
Show the address autocomplete field. Requires a Google Places API key. |
show_price |
bool | false |
Show the price range filter. |
layout |
string | horizontal |
Form layout: horizontal (single row) or vertical (stacked). |
target |
string | (empty) | URL or page slug to redirect search results to. Empty uses the main directory page. |
Usage Example
[ld-search layout="vertical" show_radius="true" show_price="true"][ld-categories]
Displays a grid of category cards with icons and listing counts. Great for a "Browse by Category" section on your homepage or directory landing page.
| Attribute | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
parent |
int | 0 |
Parent category term ID. 0 shows top-level categories. |
columns |
int | 3 |
Number of grid columns (1–6). |
show_count |
string | true |
Display the listing count badge on each category card. |
hide_empty |
string | true |
Hide categories that have no published listings. |
Usage Example
[ld-categories columns="4" hide_empty="true"][ld-listing-page]
Renders the full single listing detail view, including gallery, map, business hours, reviews, and all content fields. Normally you do not need this shortcode because single listing pages are generated automatically. Use it only when you want to embed a specific listing's detail view inside another page.
| Attribute | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
id |
int | 0 |
The listing post ID to display. 0 uses the current post context. |
Usage Example
[ld-listing-page id="42"][ld-compare]
Renders a side-by-side comparison table for up to 4 listings. This shortcode has no attributes — the listing IDs are read from the ld_compare URL query parameter. Visitors add listings to the compare tray from listing cards, then click "Compare" to navigate to this page.
URL format:
https://example.com/compare/?ld_compare=12,34,56,78
Place this shortcode on a dedicated page (e.g., /compare/) and set that page as the Compare Page in Settings → Pages.
[ld-recently-viewed]
Displays the visitor's recently viewed listings, stored client-side in localStorage — your browser's built-in storage that saves data on your device so it persists even after you close the tab. No login required. Perfect for sidebars, footers, or a dedicated "Your History" section.
| Attribute | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
limit |
int | 5 |
Maximum number of recently viewed listings to display. |
layout |
string | horizontal |
Display layout: horizontal (scrollable row) or vertical (stacked list). |
Usage Example
[ld-recently-viewed limit="8" layout="vertical"]