Getting Started

Welcome to WPSummarize! This guide will help you set up and start using AI-powered summaries on your WordPress site in just a few minutes.

Key takeaways ▼

What is WPSummarize?

WPSummarize automatically creates concise, AI-generated summaries of your blog posts. These summaries help your readers quickly understand the main points of your content, improving user experience and engagement.

💡 Why Use Summaries?
  • Improve reader engagement by providing quick takeaways
  • Help visitors decide if content is relevant to them
  • Enhance SEO by fulfilling search intent faster
  • Save time with automated, high-quality summaries

Free vs Pro: Which Version Do You Need?

WPSummarize comes in two versions:

Free Version

Perfect for: Bloggers and small sites testing AI summaries

  • ✅ 50 summaries per month (you pay your OpenAI’s API costs)
  • ✅ OpenAI API support
  • ✅ 1 pre-built design theme
  • ✅ Automatic summary generation
  • ✅ List and narrative styles
  • ✅ Custom post types support
  • ✅ Basic customization options
  • ✅ Shortcode support

Get it: Download from WordPress.org

Pro Version

Perfect for: Professional sites, agencies, and high-volume content creators

  • ✅ Unlimited summaries (just pay your AI provider’s API costs)
  • ✅ 3 AI providers: OpenAI, Google Gemini and Anthropic Claude
  • ✅ 5 premium design themes
  • ✅ Batch processing for existing posts
  • ✅ Manual editing of summaries
  • ✅ Per-post settings override
  • ✅ Click-to-reveal summaries
  • ✅ HTML formatting tags (strong, em)
  • ✅ Priority support

Try it free: Start 7-day free trial (no credit card required)

💡 Pro Tip: Start with the free version to test if AI summaries work for your content. You can upgrade to Pro anytime with a risk-free 7-day trial.

Installation

Installing the Free Version

Method 1: Install from WordPress.org (Recommended)

  1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
  2. Navigate to Plugins → Add New
  3. Search for “WPSummarize”
  4. Click Install Now on the WPSummarize plugin
  5. After installation, click Activate

Method 2: Manual Upload

  1. Download the WPSummarize plugin from WordPress.org
  2. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
  3. Choose the downloaded .zip file and click Install Now
  4. Click Activate Plugin

Installing the Pro Version

  1. Visit https://wpsummarize.com/#pricing
  2. Select the number of active sites you need, then click Start Free Trial
  3. Create your account (no credit card required for trial)
  4. You’ll receive a download link and license key via email
  5. Download the Pro plugin .zip file
  6. If you have the free version installed:
    • Deactivate the free version first
    • Your settings and existing summaries will be preserved
  7. Go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
  8. Upload the Pro .zip file and click Install Now
  9. Click Activate Plugin
  10. Enter your license key when prompted
⚠️ Important: Never have both free and Pro versions active at the same time. This will cause conflicts. Always deactivate the free version before installing Pro.
✅ 7-Day Free Trial: The Pro trial gives you full access to all features for 7 days. No credit card required to start. You’ll only be charged if you decide to continue after the trial period, entering your credit card details.

Initial Setup

Step 1: Get Your API Key

WPSummarize uses AI providers to generate summaries. You’ll need an API key from one of these providers:

  • Free version: OpenAI only
  • Pro version: Choose between OpenAI, Google Gemini, or Anthropic Claude

For OpenAI (Free & Pro):

  1. Visit OpenAI’s API Keys page
  2. Sign up or log in to your OpenAI account
  3. Click Create new secret key
  4. Give your key a name (e.g., “WPSummarize”)
  5. Copy the API key immediately (you won’t be able to see it again)
  6. Store it somewhere safe temporarily
  7. Add billing information to your OpenAI account to use the API
⚠️ Important: OpenAI API keys start with “sk-“. Keep your API key secure and never share it publicly. You’ll need to add billing information to your OpenAI account to use the API.
💡 Cost Information: OpenAI charges per use (typically $0.01-0.05 per summary depending on post length). You only pay for what you use. With the free version, you’re limited to 50 summaries per month through WPSummarize. With Pro, you have unlimited summaries (just pay your OpenAI API costs).

For Google Gemini (Pro Only):

  1. Visit Google AI Studio
  2. Sign in with your Google account
  3. Click Create API Key
  4. Copy your API key

For Anthropic Claude (Pro Only):

  1. Visit Anthropic’s API page
  2. Sign up for an API account
  3. Navigate to your API keys section
  4. Create a new key and copy it

Step 2: Configure WPSummarize

  1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to WPSummarize → Settings
  2. In the API Settings section:
    • Pro users only: Select your preferred AI provider from the dropdown (OpenAI, Google Gemini, or Anthropic)
    • Free users: OpenAI is your only option (already selected)
    • Paste your API key in the API Key field
    • Click Save Changes
  3. WPSummarize will automatically validate your API key
✅ Success! If your API key is valid, you’ll see a success message. You’re now ready to generate summaries!

Step 3: Configure Basic Settings

Before generating your first summary, let’s configure a few basic settings:

Summary Display

  • Auto-include summaries: Check this to automatically display summaries on your posts
  • Insert location: Choose where summaries appear (before content, after first paragraph, before first heading, through shortcode, etc.)
  • Summary style: Select “List” (recommended) for bullet points or “Narrative” for paragraph format

Summary Generation

  • Create summary on publish: Automatically generate summaries when you publish new posts
  • Number of items: Set how many key takeaways to include. You can either let AI decide based on the length and content, set a fixed number or a range (3-5 recommended)
  • Title before summary: Customize the heading (default: “Key takeaways”)

Post Types

  • Select which post types should have summaries (posts, pages, custom post types)

Click Save Changes when you’re done.

Creating Your First Summary

Option 1: Automatic Generation on Publish

  1. Create or edit a post as you normally would
  2. In the WPSummarize meta box (right sidebar or below editor), ensure “Create summary when you publish this post” or “Get a new summary when you save this post” is checked
  3. Click Publish or Update
  4. WPSummarize will generate the summary in the background (usually takes 5-10 seconds)
  5. Refresh your post to see the summary

Option 2: Manual Summary for Existing Posts

  1. Open an existing post in the editor
  2. Find the WPSummarize meta box
  3. Check the box for “Get a new summary when you save this post”
  4. Click Update
  5. The summary will be generated and appear on your post

Option 3: Using the Shortcode

You can manually place the summary anywhere in your content using the shortcode:

[wpsummarize]
  1. In the post editor, place your cursor where you want the summary
  2. Click the WPSummarize button in the editor toolbar, or
  3. Type [wpsummarize] manually
  4. The summary will appear in that location
💡 Pro Tip: Using the shortcode gives you complete control over summary placement, perfect for custom layouts or page builders like Elementor or Divi.

Verifying Your Setup

After generating your first summary:

  1. Visit your post on the front-end of your site
  2. You should see your AI-generated summary in the location you specified
  3. Check the WPSummarize → Dashboard to see your usage statistics

Understanding Usage Limits

Free Version

  • 50 summaries per month
  • Resets on the first day of each month
  • Track usage in the WPSummarize Dashboard
  • Plus your OpenAI API costs (typically $0.50-$2.50/month for 50 summaries)

Pro Version

  • Unlimited summaries through WPSummarize
  • You only pay for your AI provider’s API usage
  • Typical cost: $0.01-0.05 per summary (depending on post length and provider)
  • 7-day free trial includes all Pro features
  • After trial: One-time payment (lifetime plan) to WPSummarize Pro, plus your API costs
💡 Cost Breakdown for Pro:
  • WPSummarize Pro: See pricing page for current plans
  • Plus API costs: Paid directly to your AI provider

Example: For typical blog posts, API costs are minimal. You can monitor exact usage in your AI provider’s dashboard.

Next Steps

Now that you’re set up, explore these features:

Need Help?