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LekTrail Reading Tracker

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LekTrail Reading Tracker

by Raúl Rojas

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Description

Most websites have no memory. Visitors return and see the same content with no recognition of what they’ve already explored. LekTrail changes that.

For content sites: Show readers which articles they started but didn’t finish, and suggest new content based on their history.

For e-commerce: Display recently viewed products so customers can easily return to items they were considering.

For courses and documentation: Track progress through lessons or guides, showing what’s completed and what’s next.

How It Works

LekTrail tracks when visitors scroll through your content:

  • Viewed: Posts they started reading
  • Completed: Posts they scrolled to the end (configurable threshold)
  • Suggestions: Unread posts based on your configuration

The widget displays three sections: “Continue Reading”, “Completed”, and “Suggested Reading”.

Two Tracking Modes

localStorage Mode (Default)

  • Works for all visitors, no login required
  • Data stored in browser, completely private
  • Optional consent banner
  • Data clears if browser storage is cleared

Server-Side Mode

  • Requires logged-in users (WordPress users or membership plugin)
  • Reading history persists across devices
  • Useful for membership sites, courses, or personalized experiences
  • Anonymous visitors see suggestions only

Features

  • Gutenberg block and shortcode support
  • Works with any post type (posts, pages, products, custom types)
  • Configurable scroll threshold to mark content as “completed”
  • Show/hide excerpts and thumbnails
  • Suggestion order: random, recent, or related
  • Category filters for suggestions
  • Customizable labels (multilingual ready)
  • Optional consent requirement with built-in banner
  • Performance caching for suggestions

Development

Source code and build tools are available on GitHub.

  1. Upload lektrail to /wp-content/plugins/
  2. Activate the plugin
  3. Add the widget:
    • Gutenberg: Search for “LekTrail” in the block inserter
    • Shortcode: Add [lektrail] to any page
  4. Configure in Settings > LekTrail
  1. Suggested reading widget showing unread posts with excerpts.

    Suggested reading widget showing unread posts with excerpts.

  2. All LekTrail blocks and patterns in the Gutenberg block inserter.

    All LekTrail blocks and patterns in the Gutenberg block inserter.

  3. Reading dashboard with category breakdown, display modes, and reading lists with status indicators.

    Reading dashboard with category breakdown, display modes, and reading lists with status indicators.

  4. Settings page with tracking, display, consent, and suggestion options.

    Settings page with tracking, display, consent, and suggestion options.

Does this work without user registration?

Yes. By default, LekTrail uses localStorage which works for all visitors without requiring login. Data is stored privately in the visitor’s browser.

Can I track reading progress for logged-in users?

Yes. Enable “Track Logged-in Users” in settings. This stores reading history on the server, allowing it to persist across devices. Requires users to be logged in (WordPress users or via a membership plugin).

What post types can I track?

Any post type: posts, pages, WooCommerce products, custom post types. Configure which types to track in the settings.

How do I customize the widget appearance?

The widget uses minimal styling. Add your own CSS targeting .lektrail-widget, .lektrail-continue, .lektrail-completed, and .lektrail-suggestions.

1.1.0

  • Reading dashboard blocks for logged-in users: progress bar and reading list
  • Three display modes: progress (percentage), remaining (posts to read), count (posts read)
  • Per-category progress with automatic child category inclusion
  • Category dropdown selector in block editor (replaces text input)
  • Status indicators on reading lists (checkmark for read, circle for viewed)
  • Block patterns: Category Breakdown, Year Overview, Simple Dashboard
  • Custom LekTrail block category in the block inserter
  • Spanish translations for dashboard labels
  • Fix: server-side tracking no longer blocked by localStorage checks

1.0.0

  • Initial release
  • localStorage and server-side tracking modes
  • Gutenberg block and shortcode
  • Configurable suggestions (random, recent, related)
  • Category filters
  • Consent management
  • Custom labels
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