Footnote Analytics

Footnote Analytics is a WordPress plugin designed for editors who want to add reusable footnotes to posts and pages while tracking reader interactions. It enables the insertion of footnote text that can be connected to selected text using a data-term key. When readers interact with the marked text on the front end, a lightweight popup displays the footnote content, providing immediate context without navigating away from the main content.

The plugin records anonymous events whenever a footnote is clicked or opened. The information stored includes the footnote key, title, post details, URL, referrer, device type, user agent, and the time of the click. Notably, it does not store IP addresses, emphasizing user privacy. These analytics are kept within WordPress itself and are not linked to external analytics platforms such as GA4.

Footnote Analytics offers an admin analytics screen where editors can view all recorded ranking rows and the latest footnote interaction events. The plugin also features a debug tab with table status and a ranking tab that displays the most frequently opened footnotes. Integration with the Gutenberg editor is supported, as indicated by a toolbar button for applying footnote keys to selected text.

This tool is delivered as a plugin for WordPress, making it accessible to site editors and publishers who use this content management system. It provides a way to enhance reader engagement and gain insight into how footnotes are being used within site content.