=== AmazoLinkenator ===
Contributors: Rick Hellewell
Donate link: http://cellarweb.com/wordpress-plugins/
Tags: amazon affiliate links shorten urls
Requires at least: 4.0.1
Tested up to: 4.4
Stable tag: 1.00
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Automatically adds your Amazon Affiliate code to any Amazon product URLs. Works with posts, pages, and comments. Optionally shortens URLs (great for hiding affiliate codes). No special shortcodes or commands needed; it all happens automatically when the content is saved/published. Just requires an Amazon Affiliate account; optionally a Bit.ly code for shortening URLs; both are free.

== Description ==

AmazoLinkenator will automatically (without any effort on your part) add your Amazon Affiliate code to any Amazon URLs. This will happen for pages, posts, and comments (depending on your settings below). Because you don't have to do anything special to affiliate a URL, this plugin is great for sites with lots of authors.

The big advantage is that if you find an Amazon item that you want to include in a page and post, you don't need to do any extra steps to add your affiliate code. Just paste the Amazon link in the page/post/comment, and Publish. Your Amazon Affiliate link will automatically be added to the product URL. You can use different Affiliate codes at any time; the new code will only affect new content.

And AmazoLinkenator also works with any Amazon product links that your site commenters might add. If anyone includes a link in their comment that has their Amazon Affiliate code, it will be replaced with your affiliate code. All automatically! A counter on the Settings screen keeps track of Affiliate code insertions.

URLs are affiliated only when posts/pages/comments are saved/updated/submitted. Any prior content will use the current affiliate code if it is re-saved (unless you have enabled the URL Shortener option.)

All you need is a valid Amazon Affiliate Key. The plugin doesn't check for a valid Amazon Affiliate key. Any URL affiliated will not be re-affiliated, and will stay the same, unless you update the content.

Plus, there's an option to automatically shorten the URL. This is great for 'hiding' your Amazon Affilliate link code. You just need a free Bit.ly Generic Access Token from  .

Get your Amazon Affiliate code from https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/gp/associates/network/main.html .

Get your Bit.ly Generic Access Token from https://bitly.com/a/create_oauth_app .



== Installation ==

This section describes how to install the plugin and get it working.

1. Download the zip file, uncompress, then upload to `/wp-content/plugins/` directory. Or install via the Add Plugin page.
1. Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' menu in WordPress.
1. Change settings in Settings, 'AmazoLinkenator Settings' to your requirements.

* Note: do a "Save" on the AmazoLinkenator Settings page once after an upgrade to ensure all is well; your settings will be preserved.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Do I have to do anything special to enable this? =

You need to have your own Amazon Affiliate code, and set up the two options on the Settings page. If you want to automatically shorten URLs, you'll need a Bit.ly 'Generic Access Token'. Links to get those items are on the Settings page.

= What settings are available? =

Just three: your Amazon Affiliate code, and checkboxes to enable for posts/pages or comments. Optionally, you can also have the URLs shortened (you'll need a Bit.ly 'Generic Access Token' key).

= What if there is already an affiliate code in the Amazon URL? =

An existing Affiliate code in any Amazon URL is replaced with the one that you specify. Once the post/page/comment is (re-)saved, your Affiliate code is inserted. It will be changed to the current Affiliate code on a subsequent save. If you have enabled the URL shortener (optional), any existing links will not be changed on a content save; all new links are automatically 'affiliated'.

= What if I don't like how the plugin changes things or there is a problem? = 

You can just deactivate the plugin. Your settings will be saved if you want to reactivate later.

= Does the plugin make changes to the database? = 

The plugin only adds one 'row' to the Options database, using standard WordPress functions. The plugin will read the values as needed, minimizing calls to the database to limit any overhead against the database.

= Does the plugin require anything extra on the client (visitor) browser? = 

Not that we are aware of. Everything follows WordPress coding standards. All the user will see are the links.

= Where can we go for support if there is a problem or question - or a new feature we think will be nifty? = 

You can use the plugin support page for questions. Or you can contact us directly via the Contact Us page at www.CellarWeb.com . We usually respond within 24 hours (and are usually faster than that).

= How much does the plugin cost? = 

It's free! But you can donate by leeting the plugin use our Amazon Affiliate code, which will happen every 100 links. That's optional, but appreciated!

= What else do you do? = 

We have a plugin that stops comment spam in it's tracks. Plus a contact template that does the same thing. Our spam-blocking process doesn't rely on things that don't work, like hidden fields, or hard to use Captcha things. You'll find all the details at our FormSpammerTrap site: http://www.FormSpammerTrap.com .

A new plugin - URL Smasher - will shorten all links in your content when saved. All you need is a Bit.ly token, which is free. 
We do lots of WordPress sites: implementation, customization, and more. You can find more info at our business site at http://www.CellarWeb.com .


== Screenshots ==

1. Shows the AmazoLinkenator Settings screen, found on the Settings, 'AmazoLinkenator Settings' screen. (assets/screenshot-01.jpg) (You'll have to enter your Amazon Affiliate code, and optionally your Bit.ly Generic Access Token key. Links to get those are on the Settings screen.)

== Changelog ==

= 1.00 =
* Initial release (15 Dec 2015)
* Testing to ensure proper behavior with other plugins, like our (shameless plug) "URL Smasher", which automatically smashes and shortens URLs

= 0.9x =
* internal testing versions, fixed various bug fixes during testing, added features, etc.

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.00 =
* Initial release (15 Dec 2015)


