Init View Count – Accurate Post Views with REST API & Custom Shortcodes

A fast, minimalist view counter for WordPress – REST-first and developer-friendly

Init View Count tracks post views using JavaScript + REST API for precision and flexibility. It includes shortcodes, tabbed rankings, template overrides, and w…


This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Hao Nguyen

A fast, minimalist view counter for WordPress – REST-first and developer-friendly

Init View Count tracks post views using JavaScript + REST API for precision and flexibility. It includes shortcodes, tabbed rankings, template overrides, and works with any post type.

No jQuery. No cookies. No fluff.

Features at a Glance

Lightweight and Accurate

  • Tracks views via REST API + scroll + delay logic
  • Prevents duplicates with session/localStorage
  • Optional batch mode: queue views and send in groups
  • Optional strict IP-based filtering (no raw IP storage)

Flexible Shortcodes

  • [init_view_count] – show current post view count
  • [init_view_list] – show list of most viewed posts
  • [init_view_ranking] – tabbed ranking by day/week/month/total
  • Fully theme-overridable templates (your-theme/init-view-count/*.php)
  • Format options: raw, formatted, short number, schema.org support

Clean Admin Tools

  • Dashboard widget to show top viewed posts
  • Settings panel to enable post types, batch, delay, scroll, etc.
  • Shortcode builders for all views with live preview

Minimal Overhead

  • No assets loaded unless shortcode used
  • CSS can be disabled completely
  • No tracking, no analytics bloat

Built for Developers

  • Custom meta key support via filters
  • Exposed REST API endpoints for tracking + top posts
  • Fully filterable output and query logic
  • Compatible with headless setups and SPAs

REST API Endpoints

POST /wp-json/initvico/v1/count

Record one or more post views.

Parameters:

  • post_id (int|array): One or more post IDs

GET /wp-json/initvico/v1/top

Retrieve top posts by views.

Parameters include:

  • range: total, day, week, month, trending
  • number: Number of posts
  • post_type, category, tag, etc.
  • fields: minimal or full
  • no_cache: Disable transient caching

👉 Full REST Guide

Shortcode Examples

Shortcode Description
[init_view_count] Show view count for current post
[init_view_list] Most viewed posts list
[init_view_ranking] Tabbed list by day/week/month/total

Add template, range, icon, schema, class, field, and other options as needed.

👉 Full Shortcode Guide

Dev Tools You Get

  • Filters like init_plugin_suite_view_count_should_count, *_meta_key, *_top_args
  • Modify output of /top API with init_plugin_suite_view_count_api_top_item
  • Theme override with view-list-sidebar.php, view-list-grid.php, etc.
  • Zero jQuery. Zero cookies. Fully modular JS.

Installation

Install via WordPress.org or:

git clone https://github.com/brokensmile2103/init-view-count.git

Then activate and configure in Settings → Init View Count.

Ways to show views:

  • Add [init_view_count] in post content
  • Use auto-insert (before/after post content)
  • Place view lists with [init_view_list]
  • Show trending or ranked tabs with [init_view_ranking]

Part of the Init Plugin Suite

Init View Count is part of the Init Plugin Suite – a set of minimalist, performance-first tools for WordPress developers.

Thanks for reading. Got feedback or ideas?

→ Project Page

→ GitHub


This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Hao Nguyen


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Hao Nguyen | Sciencx (2025-06-26T16:11:18+00:00) Init View Count – Accurate Post Views with REST API & Custom Shortcodes. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/06/26/init-view-count-accurate-post-views-with-rest-api-custom-shortcodes/

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