TimeSpan
TimeSpan is a simple, easy to set-up WordPress plugin that automagically calculates the approximate length of time it will take to read a blog post.
The facts
- Rating
- 4.8★ from 6
- Active installs
- 20+
- Price
- Free
- Last updated
- 14 Apr 2015
- Added
- Sep 2014
- Requires WP
- 3.0.1
- Tested up to
- WP 4.1.42
- Downloads
- 3,635
Our analysis
AI-assistedTimeSpan is a WordPress plugin that calculates and displays the estimated reading time for your posts. You can customize the messages shown for posts that will take less than one minute to read, as well as for longer posts. The plugin offers two setup options: manual integration into theme files or an automatic setup that inserts the reading time at the top of each post.
This plugin is suitable for bloggers and content creators who want to provide their readers with an estimate of how long it will take to read their articles. It can enhance user experience by helping visitors decide whether to engage with the content based on their available time.
Best for: Bloggers and content creators looking to enhance user engagement.
What it does well
- ✓Customizable messages for reading time
- ✓Two setup options: manual and automatic
- ✓Free to use from the WordPress.org directory
Where it falls short
- •Last updated in April 2015
- •Limited active installs
Verdict
TimeSpan offers a straightforward way to display reading times, but its age and low active install count may raise concerns about ongoing support.
From the developer
paperleaf's own description of TimeSpan, lightly tidied.
Welcome to TimeSpan
The plugin ships with default settings, but allows you to change everything from: the message shown for a post that will take less than one minute; the message shown for any post over 1 minute; and the words-per-minute used to calculate the reading time.
Setup
Once the plugin is activated, you have two options: you can include it in your theme files (handy for WordPress developers), or you can let us do all the heavy lifting with automagic setup.
Include TimeSpan in Your Theme Files
- Head over to the TimeSpan menu under Settings
- Fill out the options on that page
- Place the ‘echo do_shortcode(‘[time-span]’)’ shortcode wherever you’d like the data to show up in your theme file (e.g. page-home.php).
- Click the blue “Save Changes” button.
That’s it!
Automagic Setup
The Automagic Setup will automatically insert the calculated time to read at the top of each of your posts. Here’s how to do that:
- Head over to the TimeSpan menu under Settings
- Fill out the options on that page
- Check the box at the bottom labeled “Automatically insert the time to read at the top of Posts”.
- Click the blue “Save Changes” button.
That’s it!
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