Feature Overview
This page summarizes what WPEnhanced Ajax Filter Blocks can do out of the box and what WPEnhanced Ajax Filter Blocks Pro adds. Use it to plan a filter page before diving into block settings or tutorials.
Core platform (free)
These capabilities are included in the free plugin on WordPress.org:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Gutenberg blocks | Archive Loop, Filter Posts, Filter Posts Item—native block editor workflow |
| AJAX via REST | Filter changes update results without full page reload |
| Shareable URLs | Active filters sync to query parameters for bookmarks and campaign links |
| Post types | Posts, pages, public custom post types |
| Taxonomy filters | Categories, tags, and custom taxonomies |
| Custom meta key filters | Filter by post meta with common control types |
| Search filter | Keyword search scoped to the loop’s post type |
| Grid layout | Responsive column control on Archive Loop |
| Masonry layout | Pinterest-style layout option on Archive Loop |
| Standard pagination | Numbered pages; filter state preserved across pages |
| Loop templates | Built-in blog and product card templates with configurable elements |
| Reset and update modes | Filter on change or on button click |
| Option counts | Show how many results match each filter option (when enabled) |
| Select2-style selects | Enhanced dropdowns on filter items (optional per item) |
| Empty option handling | Hide or show filter values with zero matches |
| Sorting | Sort loop results by date, title, meta, and more |
| Plugin settings | Global defaults, caching, and performance toggles |
WooCommerce (free)
With WooCommerce active, the free plugin adds product-aware filters and loops:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Product post type | Archive Loop queries products with shop-oriented templates |
| Product categories and tags | Standard WooCommerce taxonomies as filter sources |
| Product attributes | Filter by global attributes (e.g. color, size) |
| Price range | Min/max price slider or inputs tied to store pricing |
| Weight | Filter by product weight meta |
| Stock status | In stock, out of stock, on backorder |
| On sale / featured | Loop query constraints for merchandising zones |
Variable products and add-to-cart in loops follow WooCommerce and your template settings.
Filter control types (free)
Filter Posts Item supports multiple filter types depending on source:
| Control type | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Select | Single-choice dropdown |
| Multi-select | Multiple terms or values |
| Radio / checkboxes | Visible single or multi choice |
| Range slider | Price, numeric meta, weight |
| Search | Text search with configurable delay |
| Date | Date or date range picking |
| Rating | WooCommerce rating filters where applicable |
| Swatches | Color/image swatches for attributes (WooCommerce) |
Exact availability depends on the selected filter source. See Filter sources and control types for a full matrix when that page is available.
WPEnhanced Ajax Filter Blocks Pro
Pro is a separate plugin installed alongside the free package. It unlocks advanced filtering, UX, and performance tools:
| Pro feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Catalog Index | Optimized index for faster facet counts and availability on large catalogs |
| Auto Suggest | Search suggestions as visitors type in search filter fields |
| ACF field picker | Choose Advanced Custom Fields in the block editor without typing meta keys manually |
| Map radius filter | Location filtering using ACF Google Map fields and radius distance |
| Load More | Append results instead of numbered pagination |
| Infinite scroll | Automatically load next page when scrolling |
| List view | List layout for Archive Loop |
| Grid/list switcher | Let visitors toggle between grid and list |
| Conditional filters | Show or hide filter items based on rules and other filter values |
| Filter appearances and mobile | Off-canvas filters, sticky buttons, enhanced mobile UX |
| Advanced loop queries | Deeper query builder options on Archive Loop |
| Pro settings | License, defaults, and Pro-specific performance options |
Pro documentation: Pro features overview, Install Pro, and individual Pro feature pages in the sidebar.
Feature comparison table
| Feature | Free | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Archive Loop, Filter Posts, Filter Posts Item | ✓ | ✓ |
| AJAX filtering via REST | ✓ | ✓ |
| URL sync / shareable filters | ✓ | ✓ |
| Taxonomy filters | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom meta filters | ✓ | ✓ |
| WooCommerce attributes, price, weight, stock | ✓ | ✓ |
| Grid layout | ✓ | ✓ |
| Masonry layout | ✓ | ✓ |
| Standard pagination | ✓ | ✓ |
| Live search filter (basic) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Select2-enhanced dropdowns | ✓ | ✓ |
| Catalog Index | — | ✓ |
| Auto Suggest | — | ✓ |
| ACF picker | — | ✓ |
| Map radius (ACF map) | — | ✓ |
| Load More | — | ✓ |
| Infinite scroll | — | ✓ |
| List view | — | ✓ |
| Grid/list switcher | — | ✓ |
| Conditional filters | — | ✓ |
| Advanced mobile filter UI | — | ✓ |
| Advanced loop queries | — | ✓ |
Integrations
| Integration | Free support | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce | Yes | Product filters and shop loops |
| Custom post types | Yes | Any public CPT with supported taxonomies/meta |
| Custom meta | Yes | Manual meta key entry |
| ACF | Pro picker | Meta-based filtering; Pro adds field picker and map radius |
| Caching plugins | Configurable | Exclude or vary cache for filter query strings |
| Multilingual (WPML) | Supported with configuration | See FAQ: WPML |
Integration guides: WooCommerce, Custom post types, Custom meta.
Performance and caching
| Topic | Guidance |
|---|---|
| REST responses | Filter updates return HTML fragments; avoid caching them as full pages |
| Page cache | Vary or bypass cache when filter query parameters are present |
| Catalog Index (Pro) | Recommended for large WooCommerce stores with many SKUs and facets |
| Update button mode | Reduces request count on panels with many controls |
Details: Caching and performance.
Where features live in the UI
| You want to… | Look in… |
|---|---|
| Add or reorder filters | Filter Posts Item blocks inside Filter Posts |
| Change when AJAX fires | Filter Posts → Update type |
| Change layout and pagination | Archive Loop block settings |
| Enable URL sync | Filter Posts → Synchronize; plugin settings |
| Global defaults | Settings → WPEnhanced Ajax Filter Blocks |
| Pro-only tools | Same blocks after Pro activation; Pro settings page |
Block references: Blocks overview, Archive Loop, Filter Posts, Filter Posts Item.
Suggested learning path
- Installation and Quick start
- How filtering works and Filter panel and loop
- Common filter setups and use-case tutorials
- Pro features when you need Catalog Index, Load More, or conditional logic
What's next
- Blocks overview — Per-block settings and options
- Filter sources and control types — Choose the right filter for each data source
- Pro features overview — Deep dive into Pro-only capabilities