2.7.0 – Sane SEO

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In this update, Honeypot now tests against fast commenters that virtually accelerate time. Focus can now make API calls again when creating a new post using the latest Block Editor. We also spent the past year optimizing this plugin, resolving annoyances, and making the plugin almost twice as fast.

Updated extensions

Detailed log

> View code changes.
> No GitHub issues were closed.

General notes

  • The plugin database version is now at 2700.
  • Note: Downgrading to an earlier version of this plugin might cause all extensions to become deactivated.
  • Changed:
    • We decoupled the active extensions option from the API activation options. This means that extensions will no longer be deactivated after a full disconnect (e.g., after site migration).
    • The update API now engages even if WordPress is not checking this specific plugin. We found that users still accidentally downgraded to the WordPress.org version. This was due to Core issues 44118 and 61055.
    • When your subscription expires or is pending, you no longer need to reconnect manually. There’s now a grace period of 7 days for Extension Manager to reconnect automatically.
      • Once this grace period is passed, your account will need to be upgraded manually again.
      • Automatic reconnecting is tried every 2 minutes.
      • You are also offered to manually switch the license key during this grace period.
    • We’ve updated the color scheme slightly to be more aligned with modern WordPress and The SEO Framework v5.1.
  • Improved:
    • We changed the WordPress version compatibility test by using an unmodified variable instead of one that plugins can alter.
    • We modernized critical JavaScript code, slightly improving browser interaction performance.
    • We modernized some CSS code, slightly reducing the plugin file sizes.
    • We modernized some PHP code, slightly improving server response times.
    • We changed the load sequence of the plugin to remove action overhead. The plugin now loads at init instead of plugins_loaded.
      • Simultaneously, it resolves a deprecation notice with WordPress 6.7, which may be reverted in 6.7.1.
    • Added PHP 8.4 OPcache optimizations.
  • Removed:
    • “SEO Trends and Updates” are no longer available. We had different plans for what would’ve been displayed (i.e., our own news feed). However, it unintentionally devolved into a marketing channel for Google.
      • The transient data for this (tsfem_latest_seo_feed) will be cleaned up automatically by WordPress.
      • The option _enable_feed will disappear when the next API status request is made (or another change is made to the account).
  • Fixed:
    • Resolved an issue where the plugin updater could cause a fatal error.
    • Resolved an issue where extension post-metadata could be double-unserialized by another plugin or store incoherent data on extraction failure.
    • Resolved an issue where API activation via a constant (TSF_EXTENSION_MANAGER_API_INFORMATION) could cause a site to get stuck in instance verification failure. Now, the site disconnects and reconnects automatically.
      • This should happen immediately, but there is a timeout of 3 minutes when this keeps recurring. Then, those who can manage Extension Manager can manually enter “Free” mode.
      • The site will upgrade automatically after 3 minutes, regardless of whether it was set manually into “Free” mode.
  • Other:
    • Another year has turned. So, we updated all files’ copyright coverage.
    • New translations are available.