gistfile1.txt

<?php
// Function to track and set post views
function set_post_views($post_id) {
    if (!is_single()) return; // Only track on single post views
    $count_key = 'post_views_count';
    $count = get_post_meta($post_id, $count_key, true);
    if ($count == '') {
        $count = 0;
        delete_post_meta($post_id, $count_key);
        add_post_meta($post_id, $count_key, '0');
    } else {
        $count++;
        update_post_meta($post_id, $count_key, $count);
    }
}
add_action('wp_head', 'set_post_views'); // Call it on every page load (checks if single)

// Optional: Function to get views (for display)
function get_post_views($post_id) {
    $count_key = 'post_views_count';
    $count = get_post_meta($post_id, $count_key, true);
    if ($count == '') {
        return "0 Views";
    }
    return $count . ' Views';
}

// Shortcode to display popular posts: [popular_posts number="5" show_views="yes"]
function popular_posts_shortcode($atts) {
    $atts = shortcode_atts(array(
        'number'     => 5,       // Number of posts to show
        'show_views' => 'yes',   // Show view count? yes/no
        'title'      => 'Popular Posts', // Title above the list
    ), $atts, 'popular_posts');

    $query = new WP_Query(array(
        'posts_per_page' => $atts['number'],
        'post_type'      => 'post',
        'meta_key'       => 'post_views_count',
        'orderby'        => 'meta_value_num',
        'order'          => 'DESC',
        'ignore_sticky_posts' => true,
    ));

    if (!$query->have_posts()) {
        return '<p>No popular posts found yet.</p>';
    }

    $output = '<div class="popular-posts">';
    if (!empty($atts['title'])) {
        $output .= '<h3>' . esc_html($atts['title']) . '</h3>';
    }
    $output .= '<ul>';

    while ($query->have_posts()) {
        $query->the_post();
        $output .= '<li>';
        $output .= '<a href="' . get_permalink() . '">' . get_the_title() . '</a>';
        if ($atts['show_views'] === 'yes') {
            $output .= ' <span>(' . get_post_views(get_the_ID()) . ')</span>';
        }
        $output .= '</li>';
    }

    $output .= '</ul></div>';

    wp_reset_postdata();

    return $output;
}
add_shortcode('popular_posts', 'popular_posts_shortcode');