Q Where do I start?
A As a good start we recommend to read Social networks Configuration first, then the widget Customization.

Q I like WSL. How can I help?
A Thanks a lot. Here are some suggestions:

  • Blog or tweet about WSL.
  • Tell us about your experience using WSL by writing a review on WordPress.org.
  • Help us translate WordPress Social Login to other languages.
  • If you are a developer, then your skills can make it a better product.
  • WordPress Social Login is a Charityware. If you download or use the plug-in on a live website you are encouraged to donate to any charity organization of your choosing.

Q I hate this plugin, it sucks!
A Sorry about that.

Please keep in mind, this software is distributed in the ONLY hope that it will be useful, but without any warranty.

Q Is this plugin still supported? If yes, for how long?
A Yes.

WSL will be kept supported (adding new features, fixings bugs and issues when they occurs, answering requests on WordPress support forum when possible) as long as I'm having fun working on the project.

In any cases (and unless I got hit by a bus) a fair warning of three months will be given before ending support for WordPress Social Login:


Q I'm having "Your server failed the requirements check for this plugin!". What does it mean?
A In order for WordPress Social Login to work properly, your server should meet certain requirements. These "requirements" and "services" are usually offered by default by most "modern" web hosting providers, however some complications may occur with shared hosting and, or custom WordPress installations.

When your web server "fail" to meet the minimum system requirements, WSL will automatically run its diagnostics tool to help you figure out the root of the issue. After that, and on most cases, the solution is to make a trouble ticket with your web host.

For more information about WordPress Social Login Diagnostics, refer to Troubleshooting Common issues.

Q All the requirement are met, yet the plugin still not working. What do I do?
A First, refer to Troubleshooting Common issues, then look at WordPress forum to see if the issue you have have been resolved. If not you may ask for Support.

Q Why Twitter users email look like this: twitter_user_<something>@example.com?
A Some social networks like Twitter and LinkedIn do NOT provide their user's email address and by default a random email will then be generated for them instead.

To change this behaviour and to force new registered users to provide their emails before they get in, goto Bouncer and enable Profile Completion.

Q How can I translate this plugin to my language?
A If you want to translate this plugin into your language, you can join in the ongoing effort at https://www.transifex.com/projects/p/wordpress-social-login/.

Q What's Social Login?
A

Wikipedia says: Social login, also known as social sign-in, is a form of single sign-on using existing login information from a social networking service such as Facebook, Twitter or Google+ to sign into a third party website in lieu of creating a new login account specifically for that website. It is designed to simplify logins for end users as well as provide more and more reliable demographic information to web developers.

Q How social login works
A

Wikipedia says: Social login links logins to one or more social networking services to a website, typically using either a plug-in or a widget. By selecting the desired social networking service, the user simply uses his or her login for that services to sign on to the web site. This in turn negates the need for the end user to remember login information for multiple electronic commerce and other websites while providing site owners with uniform demographic information as provided by the social networking service. Many sites which offer social login also offer more traditional online registration for those who desire it.

Social login can be implemented strictly as an authentication system using standards such as OpenID or SAML. For consumer websites that offer social functionality to users, social login is often implemented using the OAuth standard. OAuth is a secure authorization protocol which is commonly used in conjunction with authentication to grant 3rd party applications a "session token" allowing them to make API calls to providers on the user’s behalf.


Q What's an Application programming interface (API)?
A

Wikipedia says: When used in the context of web development, an API is typically defined as a set of Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request messages, along with a definition of the structure of response messages, which is usually in an Extensible Markup Language or JavaScript Object Notation format. While "web API" historically has been virtually synonymous for web service, the recent trend (so-called Web 2.0) has been moving away from Simple Object Access Protocol based web services and service-oriented architecture (SOA) towards more direct representational state transfer (REST) style web resources and resource-oriented architecture.

Q How do I add Social Login to my website?
A

First you need a plugin, which you probably did.

after that, and unlike Social Sharing, Social Login will requires a little bit of effort on your part to have it up and running in your website. Except few, most social networks requires that you create an external application linking your website to theirs apis. WordPress Social Login will provide you with all the links and instructions you need to know to add Social Login to your website.


Q Why do I need to create an application?
A

While the obvious and short answer to this question is "Duh.. because the said social networks requires it". The real answer lies somewhere completely different. Social Login uses open authentication and authorization protocols and the most used protocols by social networks are OpenID and OAuth.

While OpenID [1] do not require an application, OAuth requires consumer websites (i.e, your website) to register an application and apply for a set of keys (i.e, application credentials ).[2] [3]


Q Where can I create an application?
A

That depend on the social network. Most providers will have a sub site for developers where you can register new applications. WordPress Social Login will provide you with all the links you need in the basic instructions.


Q How do enable a social network on WSL?
A
  1. Connect as an administrator to your website, then navigate WordPress Social Login and select Networks tab. WordPress Social Login can be found under the WordPress Settings menu on the left side bar.
  2. To allow your users to use a given provider, you should set Enabled to YES.
  3. If a provider requires an Application ID, key and secret then click on Where do I get this info?. WordPress Social Login has all the basic instructions for registering with the various social networks it supports.

Q How do I use Social Login?
A

In moderation. You don't want to replace usernames and passwords with a long list of providers. A returning user may forgot the social network he used to sign-up in the first place. As a best practices, it's recommended to only offer a limited number of social networks to sign-in though.

Three or four social networks to sign in with are more than enough.


Q Is WordPress Social Login bbPress or BuddyPress compatible?
A Yes.

Q Is WordPress Social Login Multisite compatible?
A Tech·ni·cal·ly.

Q How much would it cost me?
A

This question is just for the fun.

This will depend on the person you will be dealing with but if you hired me to develop WSL from scratch and exclusively for you, it will cost you about 45k $ a lot.