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 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

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 http://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