Title: WP-Admin Theme Promotion Author: Chip Bennett Published: November 4, 2013 Last modified: June 29, 2014 --- [ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 11:28 pm _on_ November 4, 2013 Tags: [Guidelines ( 34 )](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/tags/guidelines/) # WP-Admin Theme Promotion It has recently come to our attention that many Themes are using some…aggressive promotion techniques from within the WP-Admin: * Embedding videos and external IFrameiframe iFrame is an acronym for an inline frame. An iFrame is used inside a webpage to load another HTML document and render it. This HTML document may also contain JavaScript and/or CSS which is loaded at the time when iframe tag is parsed by the user’s browser. content * Redirecting to a Theme Info page on activation * Promoting the Theme (or an upsell commercial version of the Theme) via Admin Notices * Etc. This sort of promotion is not appropriate. Adding a Theme info page is fine. Adding a Theme info page that promotes other of the developer’s Themes is fine. But redirecting to either of those pages on Theme activation is not. Adding an admin notice generated by the TGM PluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress. org Plugin Directory [https://wordpress.org/plugins/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/) or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. Activation library, to notify users of companion Plugins that can enhance the Theme experience, is fine. Adding an admin notice to promote a commercial version of the Theme, or other Themes, is not. Embedded or external content of any kind is strictly prohibited, due to potential security vulnerability and user bandwidth issues. Linking to those resources at ThemeURI from a Theme info or settings page is fine. Please discuss in the comments, as it has just been pointed out to us that these issues impact a number of highly visible Themes. We need to ensure that we correct these ASAP, and ensure that we are handling them consistently when reviewing Themes. [#guidelines](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/tags/guidelines/) ### Share this: * [ Threads ](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2013/11/04/wp-admin-theme-promotion/?share=threads) * [ Mastodon ](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2013/11/04/wp-admin-theme-promotion/?share=mastodon) * [ Bluesky ](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2013/11/04/wp-admin-theme-promotion/?share=bluesky) * [ Facebook ](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2013/11/04/wp-admin-theme-promotion/?share=facebook) * [ X ](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2013/11/04/wp-admin-theme-promotion/?share=x) * [ LinkedIn ](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2013/11/04/wp-admin-theme-promotion/?share=linkedin) 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 2. [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 11:32 pm _on_ November 4, 2013 3. I do redirection to theme options page upon activation, is that okay? 4. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 11:35 pm _on_ November 4, 2013 * At the moment, though it is less than ideal. I would like to improve overall quality in that regard in the future. Themes should be able to work, out of the box, without needing users to save any options to the database. If you need help with that, let me know. * (And it is for your own benefit as well, since the Theme previewer doesn’t work properly for Themes that require options to be saved to the database – and in the future will break entirely, once Otto implements improvements that won’t even *let* preview Themes save options to the database.) - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/250257111d1248c34046552bbcdf6999949ef56b2f992dd5eb39bf45cabeb18a? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Samuel Wood (Otto)](https://profiles.wordpress.org/otto42/) 10:17 pm _on_ November 6, 2013 - Note: These “improvements” to the previewer are an idea only at present. We’re a long way from that. But still, it’s good to keep that as a goal, so that breakage is minimal when we do get there. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 2:24 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * They should be able to get to it from themes.php once it’s activated, as they can click Customize, Edit CSSCSS CSS is an acronym for cascading style sheets. This is what controls the design or look and feel of a site., and (insert Options Page Name)…right? - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8013a62d7397c006bae48b96d6832a573ea71a7d5d3597fe584210567b508c05? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Justin Tadlock](https://profiles.wordpress.org/greenshady/) 2:32 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - Yes, it’s directly next to those links after activation. 5. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 6. [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 11:37 pm _on_ November 4, 2013 7. My themes have all defaults set, doesn’t need user to set any options. So i guess its okay 🙂 8. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 11:38 pm _on_ November 4, 2013 * And if that’s the case, there’s really no need to redirect to the Theme options page. 🙂 - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 11:42 pm _on_ November 4, 2013 - Want them to know it exists in case they never go there and see that there is a pro version since i don’t advertise on the front end with default images. - If its okay, i would like to continue please. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 12:14 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * If the purpose of the redirection is to draw attention to the upsell commercial version, that’s not okay. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 12:16 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - Not entirely, its to show them the available skins, layouts etc. Can’t describe them all in theme description. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 12: 25 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - I’ll go back to what I said in another comment: users are smart. They know where to look for Theme options. They’ll go to the Theme options page on their own, if only to check out the available options. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 12:30 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - I have to explain to them how to set a featured imageFeatured image A featured image is the main image used on your blog archive page and is pulled when the post or page is shared on social media. The image can be used to display in widget areas on your site or in a summary list of posts. so many times. Experienced users knows what a theme options page is, but a complete new user? - If there are no technical reasons, we should let redirecting to theme options to account for complete new users and also to be a little considerate to theme authors. We depend a bit on pro sales. - Its a win win for both. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3580c89c6189fc3e3462675c4b62a11bb1fbfd2597243637e4b36d7aefca30e4? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Schwarttzy](https://profiles.wordpress.org/schwarttzy/) 12:40 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - I’m in the same boat TSKK, I too have emails coming in on simple things like how to set a featured imageFeatured image A featured image is the main image used on your blog archive page and is pulled when the post or page is shared on social media. The image can be used to display in widget areas on your site or in a summary list of posts.. But I have rolled over and decided to go with the flow. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 2: 17 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - I don’t think that user ignorance (for lack of a better word) is a good reason to show notices throughout the WP Admin, re-direct people upon activation, or help users find out how to set featured images. If that is the case, the place they got the theme at WordPress. orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. [https://wordpress.org/](https://wordpress.org/) should deal with it there (support). - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 2: 36 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - I think it’s about not interrupting the user’s intent. Redirection does, the user simply intended to “Active Theme” not “…and redirect me to the options page.” That’s why I think re-direction is not okay. But, on the options page, if you want to promote a paid theme, I think that’s fine as long as it does not interrupt intent. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 7:03 pm _on_ November 9, 2013 - @Aubrey, I would argue that the intent of the user who activates the theme is to use that theme and redirecting to theme’s user guide or theme options page is actually aiding that user’s intent and not interrupting it. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8013a62d7397c006bae48b96d6832a573ea71a7d5d3597fe584210567b508c05? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Justin Tadlock](https://profiles.wordpress.org/greenshady/) 12:39 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * I can count the number of times on one hand how many users have asked where the theme options page was in 5+ years now. Three of those times was when my theme didn’t actually have an options page. Users are pretty dang smart. * I’d like to avoid any sort of redirect after activating the theme. That’s not consistent with the normal WordPress theme experience. It seems to me that it could potentially be even more confusing. * Not to mention that if your theme is adding the theme options place in the appropriate place, that link is shown directly alongside the other appearance-related links and the theme screenshot. 9. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/213ffa27eb35ac4a16040157d8d9d8c9a1be19971a387774a8891893215ed084? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 10. [Emil Uzelac](https://profiles.wordpress.org/emiluzelac/) 11:59 pm _on_ November 4, 2013 11. Let’s not discuss too much. Theme(s) with such problematic issues should be suspended immediately. 12. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3580c89c6189fc3e3462675c4b62a11bb1fbfd2597243637e4b36d7aefca30e4? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Schwarttzy](https://profiles.wordpress.org/schwarttzy/) 12:05 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * That has the possibility of knocking out over half the most popular themes in just the first two pages… I’m not on board for that. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2392f801d3f79abc6a858705ec0ba2c209db164930169e18e0812ecc12735f59? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Zulfikar Nore](https://profiles.wordpress.org/zgani/) 12:08 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - There should be no favoritism! * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3580c89c6189fc3e3462675c4b62a11bb1fbfd2597243637e4b36d7aefca30e4? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Schwarttzy](https://profiles.wordpress.org/schwarttzy/) 12:15 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * I’m not playing favoritism, I think you could shut a lot of themes and end up causing a bigger problem than it really is at the moment. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2392f801d3f79abc6a858705ec0ba2c209db164930169e18e0812ecc12735f59? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Zulfikar Nore](https://profiles.wordpress.org/zgani/) 12:28 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - Sorry Schwarttzy – that was meant to be “We” should not play favoritism. Was not implying that you are 🙂 - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 12:09 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - Pretty harsh, especially when they don’t even know they should not embed videos. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2392f801d3f79abc6a858705ec0ba2c209db164930169e18e0812ecc12735f59? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Zulfikar Nore](https://profiles.wordpress.org/zgani/) 12:16 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * Embedding was always a no, no! * It shouldn’t take them long to rectify the issue and upload a revised version – we can then give those themes priority and get them back asap. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 12:21 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * To be fair: the question of embedding videos and IFrameiframe iFrame is an acronym for an inline frame. An iFrame is used inside a webpage to load another HTML document and render it. This HTML document may also contain JavaScript and/or CSS which is loaded at the time when iframe tag is parsed by the user’s browser. content has been brought up on the mail-list several times. We have been quite consistent in communicating that Themes must be 100% self-contained, and not bring external content into the WP-Admin area. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 2:37 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * I also think if it has been discussed and outline somewhere (even though it’s hard to find)…rules are rules. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/213ffa27eb35ac4a16040157d8d9d8c9a1be19971a387774a8891893215ed084? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Emil Uzelac](https://profiles.wordpress.org/emiluzelac/) 12:28 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - I know what you are saying, but this is nothing new, we have been talking about stuff like this for some time now. Some of the popular authors/themes from the same list were already in similar situation and they did it again. No excuses! * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3580c89c6189fc3e3462675c4b62a11bb1fbfd2597243637e4b36d7aefca30e4? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Schwarttzy](https://profiles.wordpress.org/schwarttzy/) 12:30 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * You have been approving some of those themes with those problems if I’m not mistaken. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/213ffa27eb35ac4a16040157d8d9d8c9a1be19971a387774a8891893215ed084? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Emil Uzelac](https://profiles.wordpress.org/emiluzelac/) 12:46 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - Yes you stand correct, but we don’t do full review on previously approved themes. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2392f801d3f79abc6a858705ec0ba2c209db164930169e18e0812ecc12735f59? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Zulfikar Nore](https://profiles.wordpress.org/zgani/) 12:07 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * +1 * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8013a62d7397c006bae48b96d6832a573ea71a7d5d3597fe584210567b508c05? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Justin Tadlock](https://profiles.wordpress.org/greenshady/) 12:43 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * +1 I’m on board with that. We’ve been pretty clear about this sort of thing for a long time now. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 12:45 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - Not all theme authors read mailing list. If a theme has embedded videos, its reviewer’s fault., why punish theme author for reviewer’s fault? Give them time to fix instead of suspending them right away. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/213ffa27eb35ac4a16040157d8d9d8c9a1be19971a387774a8891893215ed084? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Emil Uzelac](https://profiles.wordpress.org/emiluzelac/) 12:49 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * I respectfully disagree. This was done purposely 🙂 * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2392f801d3f79abc6a858705ec0ba2c209db164930169e18e0812ecc12735f59? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Zulfikar Nore](https://profiles.wordpress.org/zgani/) 12:51 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * I don’t think all are reviewer’s mistakes. I’ve picked up tickets where the author had been advised that what the theme is doing/adding is not allowed. They’d remove and the theme would be approved only for the to go and add it back in. * I’ve see this done on theme url and the upsell issue to – during review the upsell info is removed but come the update review the info is back again! - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 12:53 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - Throw those sneaky sneakies under the bus, i have no problem 🙂 * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 2:28 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * This is a quality control issue the way I see it. Before and after the fact. Otherwise mistakes couldn’t be “learned” from and both reviewers and theme authors couldn’t learn better and quality could never be maintained. I am a new author and new reviewer, but if I messed up, I’d like to learn about it so I can keep up with WordPress quality. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 2:21 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * I don’t know about “immediately”, but maybe some kind of notice that within X days/months they must submit a modified version of the theme, or, then, it could be removed. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c6859e38abe624eb8ebb0d24f4c1ee049baf7cacb64b4e88024b4a2bb7cbaa77? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * Anonymous User 7:59 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * To be honest, I think you should immediately be suspended from an admin position for consistently having an irresponsible and vitriolic attitude towards these kinds of things, especially discussing issues in and of itself, the very heart and purpose of a community that you constantly undermine. * This is a community, not a dictatorship and you’ve shown many times now that you’re more interested in fast and loose snap judgments based on personal ego or opinion than discussing and asking questions for the greater good of the community. * Yes, we should discuss, much much more. It’s more important to educate than punish, shouldn’t there be a notice and grace period for any new guidelines that weren’t scrutinized at the time of someone’s theme being approved or scrutinized the next time they update their theme instead of just blindsiding them? * This isn’t a personal attack, I simply don’t think you represent the community interest very well as an admin. I know you give back and volunteer a lot of time reviewing and answering questions and so on, but I don’t think you should have admin privileges if you’re so against discussion, which is integral to the decision process. * Thanks - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8013a62d7397c006bae48b96d6832a573ea71a7d5d3597fe584210567b508c05? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Justin Tadlock](https://profiles.wordpress.org/greenshady/) 8:58 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - > It’s more important to educate than punish, shouldn’t there be a notice > and grace period for any new guidelines that weren’t scrutinized at the > time of someone’s theme being approved or scrutinized the next time they > update their theme instead of just blindsiding them? - From what I understand, some of these theme authors were told that they couldn’t do this sort of thing the first time around. They removed those things. Then, once approved, they re-added them, knowing that we don’t do full code reviews on previously-approved themes. This is what I’ve been able to gather from reading the comments anyway (though not mentioned directly in Chip’s post). If this is the case, they’ve already been educated. If not, there’s no problem with some sort of grace period. - As for embedded external content, that’s a security issue. That needs to be dealt with swiftly and immediately. Any security issues have always ( from my understanding) resulted in an automatic suspension until the issue could be corrected. This isn’t meant to punish theme authors. It’s meant to protect users. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c6859e38abe624eb8ebb0d24f4c1ee049baf7cacb64b4e88024b4a2bb7cbaa77? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * Anonymous User 11:07 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * I agree. I don’t suspect that a lot of theme authors sneak stuff back in, I doubt most are also reviewers and know the ins and outs to even know that they can “trick the system” in the first place, but I don’t doubt that some have done so. * And this is exactly why we need to discuss these things. There are lots of variables to discuss and reasonable measures for solutions that should be considered. Let’s not discuss it and pull out the ban-hammer on everyone immediately is never the right thing to do. Obviously, security issues are an exception of course. * Really though, let’s look at the root causes for this issue, to me, it’s 2 things: * 1. Lazy diff reviews. Whenever I do diff reviews I actually check to make sure some random thing didn’t get thrown in there. Not to say that I’m a perfect reviewer cause stuff gets by me all the time that an admin catches. It’s a neverending learning process for us all. * 2. As a theme developer and a theme reviewer I have the foresight to be helpful to my reviewer and give them the courtesy of listing out the bullet points of the updates. Most developers just upload and run. * We might start requiring theme developers to leave a comment reasonably covering the updates they’ve made in the new version. If they fail to do so the reviewer requests the list of changes and the review is on hold until that’s cleared. * It’s actually really simple and straightforward. That way, we’d avoid surprises and if the developer doesn’t mention the pink elephant and we see a pink elephant in their update, it’ll be easier to investigate further and make sure everything is on the up and up. * So, those are my thoughts, address the issue at its root, preventative instead of curative. * Currently, all my own themes or themes that I represent are in the clear from all these issues aside from: * [https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2013/11/04/wp-admin-theme-promotion/#comment-33058](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2013/11/04/wp-admin-theme-promotion/#comment-33058) * Which appears to be a discussion for a later date, perhaps about admin redirects in general. * Thanks * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/213ffa27eb35ac4a16040157d8d9d8c9a1be19971a387774a8891893215ed084? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Emil Uzelac](https://profiles.wordpress.org/emiluzelac/) 7:35 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 * @Justin Tadlock that was the case exactly 🙂 - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/213ffa27eb35ac4a16040157d8d9d8c9a1be19971a387774a8891893215ed084? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Emil Uzelac](https://profiles.wordpress.org/emiluzelac/) 7:33 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 - @Bryan Hadaway No Theme was suspended, it was my opinion that’s all. - You do have serious issues against me, Otto and few others around and not just in this post. My opinion hurts nobody, but your reckless words do. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c6859e38abe624eb8ebb0d24f4c1ee049baf7cacb64b4e88024b4a2bb7cbaa77? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * Anonymous User 9:44 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 * Actually, my words are always carefully chosen and exactly appropriate to what I want to say in response to whatever it is I’ve just read. I have no problem with you (Emil the person), I don’t know you. But Emil (the WP admin)… * I also have no problem with you sharing opinion, that’s in fact what I’m encouraging. While I may disagree with you, I respect it when you join a discussion and do in fact actually have an opinion to share. * However, when you (as an admin) encourage that we stop talking about something or not discuss it too much, that’s really not an opinion or helpful, it’s counter-productive. And that is an opinion. * I probably wouldn’t be so concerned when you said things like: * “Let’s not discuss too much. Theme(s) with such problematic issues should be suspended immediately.” * Except you are an admin, and that does mean people will look to you for guidance more and give weight to what you say more than others, hence the need to be more responsible in guiding the community. * The other admins, while I might disagree with as anyone might disagree with anyone else in this list on any other given day, never discourage discussion and quite the opposite. * That’s the issue. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 10:43 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 - Suspending themes is a topic open for discussion, otherwise he would have suspended them. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c6859e38abe624eb8ebb0d24f4c1ee049baf7cacb64b4e88024b4a2bb7cbaa77? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - Anonymous User 11:23 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 - @tssk – That’s not the point. Anyways, I’ve said my piece, back to the discussion. - Thanks - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 4:08 pm _on_ November 7, 2013 - We make a concerted effort to provide a medium in which all stakeholders can speak openly, express their opinion, and contribute to decision-making. I think that same courtesy should be extended to the admins who will eventually make those final decisions, and anything said in a forum such as these discussion topics, whether from an admin, a reviewer, or a developer, should be treated as an expression of opinion/discussion. - We have two competing issues here: how to deal with currently approved Themes using inappropriate promotion (and especially those that were explicitly instructed accordingly during initial review/approval, only to restore promotion post-approval), and how better to clarify the guidelines and educate Theme reviewers/developers going forward, so that our approach is more consistent while remaining fair to end users and to developers. - While no action has been taken, I concur with Emil’s sentiment that Themes that have been instructed during review to remove promotional functionality, only to restore it after initial approval, deserve immediate suspension. That sort of behavior disrespects the efforts and goodwill of the Theme Review Team. - Usually, any sort of similar bait-and-switch tactics result in immediate suspension without warning, and even blackballing. But instead we are taking this approach. Even though we have chosen to take this approach, Emil’s opinion and sentiment are no less valid. - Ultimately, for the sake of open discussion, give the benefit of the doubt that anything said in discussion threads such as these are merely expressions of opinions – even if said by an admin. 13. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4d0bcc3b36c6a2c8c4b4060d0beac33f23560ba806ec43ca100cb26770e3e399? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 14. [design311](https://profiles.wordpress.org/design311/) 12:03 am _on_ November 5, 2013 15. The less clutter the better I think, I prefer themes with an option page but nothing else. If a theme info page is a help page with tips & tricks about the theme I guess that’s fine but I don’t see why promoting other (commercial) themes of the author should be allowed. The user is already using a theme of the author so why should he even promote another theme? 16. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 12:19 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * We try to give a bit more leeway to the developer in links in the Theme’s admin page, because those links aren’t public-facing, and thus can’t be as readily abused for spam/SEO purposes. And a little bit of promotion is reasonable, considering Themes are being distributed for free. * What I have a problem with is the WP-Admin being made into a virtual billboard. We have to find a reasonable balance. I make no qualms that, in such matters, I think first and foremost from the perspective of what most benefits the * end user*. * Users are smart. They know where to look for a Theme options page, and I imagine that most/all users do go to the Theme options page on their own, if only to explore the available Theme options. Thus, I have full confidence that users will find the extra information that the Theme developer has added in the Theme options or info page. 17. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2392f801d3f79abc6a858705ec0ba2c209db164930169e18e0812ecc12735f59? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 18. [Zulfikar Nore](https://profiles.wordpress.org/zgani/) 12:06 am _on_ November 5, 2013 19. If only all themes would standardize and use the CustomizerCustomizer Tool built into WordPress core that hooks into most modern themes. You can use it to preview and modify many of your site’s appearance settings.! 20. Plus the only link out should be the standard theme url and nothing else. 21. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 4:38 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * What if there are premium options? What if there are other themes by the company? What about development and getting involved? I think outbound links should be okay, just not thrown out around the WP Admin. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 6:00 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 - What are “premium options”? - Carried to the logical conclusion of the “presentation vs. functionality” paradigm, the vast majority – if not all – of valid Theme options would fit perfectly fine in the Theme CustomizerCustomizer Tool built into WordPress core that hooks into most modern themes. You can use it to preview and modify many of your site’s appearance settings.. - I agree in spirit with ZGani: ThemeURI and AuthorURI should be sufficient. But I would like to have the flexibility for developers to add reasonable other, non-public-facing links. Part of this discussion is to determine where the line of reasonableness lies – understanding that the default, fallback position is: if all else fails, we will be forced to limit developers to ThemeURI and AuthorURI. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 6:37 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 * What I mean is that I think that people do go to the Appearance menu wanting to find out more about the theme too. They go there, of course, to configure the theme, but they may also go there to find out more things, like is there a premium version. * But, I think you’ve convinced me. You’re right, they can always visit the developers site outbound link and I think that users are also smart enough to go there. * So, yeah, I think I agree with a more stringent control of promotion after-all, where the user goes to configure the theme because they can also go to the developers outbound link too. * I guess where I was coming from was the idea that I wanted to add a link so that developers and users can vote on new features for my own theme, etc in the options panel. I guess there is a desire to want to put a link to somewhere in the options panel, not for developers (they can go to the developer site, they know where that is), but for the person who just installed it. I feel like they don’t know that I want them to tell me about what they want, and where they can do that. * It would be nice (and I know this is a bit off topic) if users had options in the Appearance menu (next to the theme they activate) to links like“ Development” or “Premium Options”, etc that we could control. It just, now, links to the options panel. 22. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8013a62d7397c006bae48b96d6832a573ea71a7d5d3597fe584210567b508c05? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 23. [Justin Tadlock](https://profiles.wordpress.org/greenshady/) 1:03 am _on_ November 5, 2013 24. **On promotional pages** 25. This may be a little off topic, but since we’re discussing promotion-related stuff: 26. I’m not a fan of promotional pages at all and thought it should’ve been one of those things we done away with a long time ago. It really doesn’t add much to the theme user’s experience. As a commercial developer, I’ve probably left many $1,000s on the table by not adding this sort of thing to my own themes, but I’ve never added it because I don’t see any actual benefit for the user in terms of using WordPress. By and large, it’s clutter. 27. I have no problem with promotion, but adding an entire screen to the admin is overkill. 28. I’m not exactly pushing for us to outright ban this either, just throwing an opinion out there. 29. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 1:10 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * If someone wants to provide a theme with no credit link, no pro version and its advertising, then they are free to do so. * why are we forcing our ideals on others. * Users who want extremely clean themes can use these clean themes, users who don’t mind a little advertising in lieu for features that are available in cluttered themes can use cluttered themes. * Let the user be the judge jury and executioner. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2392f801d3f79abc6a858705ec0ba2c209db164930169e18e0812ecc12735f59? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Zulfikar Nore](https://profiles.wordpress.org/zgani/) 1:17 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - I’m not against some sort of promotion or a little clutter – what I don’t agree with is having that promotion/clutter shoved in my face if and when I choose that theme. - Out of 14 themes I believe I’ve only added to one theme a “Go Pro” page and a basic one at that too and like Justin stated, I do not see any benefit to the end user let alone myself. - Sure, let user choose the theme they use – also let them discover you on their own 😉 * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 1:21 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * Everyone who buys a pro version of the themes in directory see’s the benefit. * Like i said you have your philosophy and i have mine, lets not force ours on others 🙂 - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8013a62d7397c006bae48b96d6832a573ea71a7d5d3597fe584210567b508c05? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Justin Tadlock](https://profiles.wordpress.org/greenshady/) 2:28 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - Now, go back and read the actual words in my comment as they were written. Nowhere in my comment did I say anything about forcing any ideals on anyone. In fact, I went as far as saying that I didn’t expect us to push this at all. - Since we’re on the subject though: - The WordPress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. [https://wordpress.org/](https://wordpress.org/) free themes directory is not a promotional tool for commercial ventures. That’s your own thing. And, it is our **duty** as the theme review team to uphold the ideals of Matt, whoever else owns WordPress.org, and the greater WordPress user community, regardless if those ideals conflict with some theme authors’ ideals. - Obviously, it’s a reality that commercial sites and WordPress.org are going to cross paths. I’ve been doing this for a long time and have one of the oldest- and longest-running commercial theme/pluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory [https://wordpress.org/plugins/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/) or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. sites in the WordPress ecosystem. I’m well aware of how things work and making sure I’m not crossing a line between actual usefulness and using WordPress simply as a promotional tool for my own gains (a line that I think many are crossing). - There’s nothing wrong with promotion (as I said before) but there’s a big difference between elegantly promoting your own commercial interests and shoving an entire advertisement page into a user’s admin. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 2:53 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * Yes, you are right. You did not push for outright ban. I missed that part. Disregard my rant 🙂 * We are able to sell pro versions only because Matt, WP foundation is okay with it. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 5:29 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * Regarding embedding, are social share buttons okay? They were previously okay-ed : [https://lists.wordpress.org/pipermail/theme-reviewers/2013-July/013902.html](https://lists.wordpress.org/pipermail/theme-reviewers/2013-July/013902.html) - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 5:30 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - mmm this comment went out of place. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 2:33 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * I don’t agree. The reason it’s open sourceOpen Source Open Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL. is because anyone can remove these page(s). But, it should not hider any function. As long as it’s in a page of it’s own and not modifying anything outside of it, like notices on other Admin pages, etc, I think you can add a promotional page. * If it has a lot of clutter, they can, again, just have it removed. That’s why it’s GPLGPL GPL is an acronym for GNU Public License. It is the standard license WordPress uses for Open Source licensing [https://wordpress.org/about/license/](https://wordpress.org/about/license/). The GPL is a ‘copyleft’ license [https://www.gnu.org/licenses/copyleft.en.html](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/copyleft.en.html). This means that derivative work can only be distributed under the same license terms. This is in distinction to permissive free software licenses, of which the BSD license and the MIT License are widely used examples., right? - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8013a62d7397c006bae48b96d6832a573ea71a7d5d3597fe584210567b508c05? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Justin Tadlock](https://profiles.wordpress.org/greenshady/) 3:02 am _on_ November 5, 2013 - This doesn’t have anything to do with the GPLGPL GPL is an acronym for GNU Public License. It is the standard license WordPress uses for Open Source licensing [https://wordpress.org/about/license/](https://wordpress.org/about/license/). The GPL is a ‘copyleft’ license [https://www.gnu.org/licenses/copyleft.en.html](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/copyleft.en.html). This means that derivative work can only be distributed under the same license terms. This is in distinction to permissive free software licenses, of which the BSD license and the MIT License are widely used examples.. We’re talking theme review team and WordPress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. [https://wordpress.org/](https://wordpress.org/) policy. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 4:32 am _on_ November 5, 2013 * I just don’t think that banning this kind of thing is totally necessary. My point about GPLGPL GPL is an acronym for GNU Public License. It is the standard license WordPress uses for Open Source licensing [https://wordpress.org/about/license/](https://wordpress.org/about/license/). The GPL is a ‘copyleft’ license [https://www.gnu.org/licenses/copyleft.en.html](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/copyleft.en.html). This means that derivative work can only be distributed under the same license terms. This is in distinction to permissive free software licenses, of which the BSD license and the MIT License are widely used examples. means that this clutter can be removed anytime via the editor in WordPress. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 5:54 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 - Our point is that end users shouldn’t have to worry about *needing* to get into the editor to remove such clutter from Themes installed from the official WPORG Theme directory. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 9: 01 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 - GPLGPL GPL is an acronym for GNU Public License. It is the standard license WordPress uses for Open Source licensing [https://wordpress.org/about/license/](https://wordpress.org/about/license/). The GPL is a ‘copyleft’ license [https://www.gnu.org/licenses/copyleft.en.html](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/copyleft.en.html). This means that derivative work can only be distributed under the same license terms. This is in distinction to permissive free software licenses, of which the BSD license and the MIT License are widely used examples. has it’s place. The editor is there for a reason. - It’s a trade-off: go ahead and non-aggressively, securely, and non- abusively promote your theme in the WP Admin (even it’s own page- which I think is more courteous), and we will graciously accept your theme for others to use and make WordPress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. [https://wordpress.org/](https://wordpress.org/) more awesome. - Don’t like it? Remove it, you can. - I still think that a promotional page in Appearance is okay. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3ee25ec15c79a0ce794f8e935172908bcf82b3173be6a641e10eaaf2e991ac97? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Towfiq I.](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tislam100/) 10:34 pm _on_ November 20, 2013 - Not everyone has coding knowledge you know… 30. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 31. [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 2:44 am _on_ November 5, 2013 32. I’m new to reviewing themes, but what are the options to “fix” these ASAP? 33. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ecdd0d5d058234d40e10c4a1440540f3402ed4e325c136d88aa4ef4eed3874a9? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 34. [Rohit Tripathi](https://profiles.wordpress.org/rohitink/) 4:46 am _on_ November 5, 2013 35. I Agree completely. I have noticed this in quite a few themes. Such agressive promotion, retards the quality of themes and user experience. Must be prohibited. 36. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 37. [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 5:14 am _on_ November 5, 2013 38. I think it’s pretty clear that whatever the theme author adds to WordPress it just shouldn’t interrupt the user. 39. Admin notices interrupt the user, re-directing after activation interrupts the user, ad-like images are distracting and interrupt, adding parent menu items outside of Appearance is distracting and interrupt (because they aren’t in the right place), etc. Anything interruptive to the users intent should be prohibited. I don’t think it has to go beyond that, other than security and bandwidth issues. 40. Promotional items, I think, should be okay. Because the user might go looking for any premium options and I think it’s intuitive to look in the Appearance menu where you installed the theme. I don’t think they need to be gaudy an waste the users bandwidth with images, etc. Plus we want to encourage developers to release free versions of their themes. If people want to pay, let them pay, as long as not paying doesn’t disable anything. 41. On iframing stuff, of course that is a security issue. That means vids are out. Text, HTMLHTML HTML is an acronym for Hyper Text Markup Language. It is a markup language that is used in the development of web pages and websites., that’s it unless it’s a small functional icon or something. 42. Anything a theme adds to WP Admin should allow the user to intend to do things, not automatically do it for them. I agree users are smart enough to go to Appearance when dealing with theme stuff, so it should remain there and only there. 43. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3ee25ec15c79a0ce794f8e935172908bcf82b3173be6a641e10eaaf2e991ac97? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 44. [Towfiq I.](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tislam100/) 5:57 am _on_ November 5, 2013 45. +1 46. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7b4c8e2413c3cf4768d958fa7257e7f2585760d399a686b0c2e86415b8c796b4? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 47. [nikeo](https://profiles.wordpress.org/nikeo/) 6:41 am _on_ November 5, 2013 48. Hi Chip and everyone, Thanks for recalling us this. I realize that my theme ( Customizr) does not respect two rules: 1) Embedding a video, 2) Redirecting to a Theme Info page on activation 49. Sorry if those rules had been brought up on the mail-list several times. I should have checked it more thoroughly and I really missed these ones. Even if the video and the redirection are not done on commercial purposes in my case, I fully agree with the potential security and bandwith issues. I also understand the will to avoid any kind of redirection on the activations/updates hooksHooks In WordPress theme and development, hooks are functions that can be applied to an action or a Filter in WordPress. Actions are functions performed when a certain event occurs in WordPress. Filters allow you to modify certain functions. Arguments used to hook both filters and actions look the same.. 50. Why did I do that? Since I received many questions by email and on the forum I decided to create an additional information screen for the users of the theme( not including any commercial stuffs). On activation it provides some basics informations about how to use the theme and find some help. On theme updates it gives the changelog and some details about new features. Those screen includes an introduction video of the theme. 51. I will make my theme compliant with those rules ASAP. Can you please tell me : 1) Will the theme be suspended for that? (Well I hope not!) 2) What is the delay for me to do those changes? I am about to release a new version of the theme this week, I will include those modifications. 52. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 4:27 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 * I’m not personally in favor of any blanket suspensions. I would prefer that any issues be noted in the most recent ticket for impacted Themes, and let developers have a reasonable amount of time to resolve those issues. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7b4c8e2413c3cf4768d958fa7257e7f2585760d399a686b0c2e86415b8c796b4? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [nikeo](https://profiles.wordpress.org/nikeo/) 6:20 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 - OK, fine. Thanks for this information Chip. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 6:48 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 - +1 - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c6859e38abe624eb8ebb0d24f4c1ee049baf7cacb64b4e88024b4a2bb7cbaa77? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - Anonymous User 8:35 pm _on_ November 6, 2013 - Excellent. 53. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0138ef14da77b9261fdf0b83568bf7caa859d704d28586f62ea7cbc34631fe5c? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 54. [ThemeZee](https://profiles.wordpress.org/themezee/) 11:09 am _on_ November 5, 2013 55. In my opinion the problem is that a simple one line notice after activating the theme is actually not a big problem, but people always exaggerate and some themes really turn the WP Admin to a billboard. 56. Since the guidelines should be easy to understand and follow I would also agree to completely prohibit user redirection and any theme promotion on the WP Admin screen except the theme info/options page. 57. I’m an upsell theme author and currently promote the upsell version on the theme options page only (and I hope this will still be fine after that discussion). 58. And when it really happens that theme developers remove features before the first review and add them secretly with theme updates afterwards I really think it the review team has the right to suspend such themes. 59. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 4:26 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 * Part of the purpose of having such a discussion as this one is to ensure that we’re all considering the bounds of appropriateness *now*, rather than resorting to a knee-jerk, blanket ban *later*. * I have no problem with Theme developers promoting their work. We just need to ensure that we balance it with respecting the end users’ admin interface. 60. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5e52265402626dacf1e982ee9b7c2f0c7cbfc58f6fe8620d44cbb842cd83ddc6? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 61. [esmi](https://profiles.wordpress.org/esmi/) 12:20 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 62. I cannot think of a single reason why any of the “promotion techniques” mentioned above are needed to use a theme effectively. Themes should be submitted to the Repository because their authors want them to be used. Not so that they can just act as advertisements for commercial products. I support anyone earning an income from WordPress 110% but let’s not get silly. The WPORG Theme Repo is not a billboard and many theme authors manage to run a successful commercial theme business without ramming it down users’ throats. 63. So I’m all in favour of prohibiting this kind of advertising in the Guidelines. If a situation did arise in the future where there was a definite need to use one of these techniques, what’s to stop the theme author raising it as an “edge- case” on the theme review mailing list? That has always been an option and, I assume, always will be. So there’s no dictatorial coup here. Only a move towards( hopefully) greater transparency. 64. Where such themes already exist in the Theme Repo, perhaps the authors could be contacted via email and given a grace period of x weeks to either remove the features via a theme update or contact the theme review team? 65. As for theme authors re-instating features that were initially removed so that the theme could pass a review, I’m also in favour of an immediate suspension. 66. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/213ffa27eb35ac4a16040157d8d9d8c9a1be19971a387774a8891893215ed084? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Emil Uzelac](https://profiles.wordpress.org/emiluzelac/) 7:52 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 * Thanks Mel. As Justin mentioned above this was the intentional repeat. Still no Theme was suspended and discussion continues. 🙂 * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 10:05 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 * I am a person who thinks “Themes should be submitted to the Repository because their authors want them to be used,” but I don’t think that promotion is bad. Aggressive, yes, but moderate, no. * When you say “prohibiting this kind of advertising in the Guidelines” I just cringe at the idea of prohibiting, instead of being flexible. I mean, yeah, we prohibit themes from not being GPLGPL GPL is an acronym for GNU Public License. It is the standard license WordPress uses for Open Source licensing [https://wordpress.org/about/license/](https://wordpress.org/about/license/). The GPL is a ‘copyleft’ license [https://www.gnu.org/licenses/copyleft.en.html](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/copyleft.en.html). This means that derivative work can only be distributed under the same license terms. This is in distinction to permissive free software licenses, of which the BSD license and the MIT License are widely used examples., but that is because we don’t want to prohibit the people that install them from doing what they want with them. We want more freedoms with quality control. If authors want to promote other things I think that it should be allowed within certain guidelines. * I think promotion is totally okay. * And, we did allow themes onto the site. We gave the okay. That’s an integrity issue, we can’t just say, oh wait…never-mind, we changed our minds, you’re out. Suspensions are just totally not okay with me. I like the idea of some kind of notice, or a sticker on themes that no longer follow new guidelines to warn installers and developers. Users also don’t deserve to just see themes they like just disappear either. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 10:26 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 - Just a thought: Is there any way to customize this area?: - [http://aubreypwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-05-at-3.17.46-PM.png](http://aubreypwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-05-at-3.17.46-PM.png) - If dev’s could add “Get Help” or “Premium Options” or whatever as safe outbound links (which the reviewer checks), that would be great! 67. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 68. [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 11:16 pm _on_ November 5, 2013 69. How much clutter is clutter is highly subjective matter, I propose that only an admin, Chip or Emil and not a reviewer, decide on that matter just for sake of consistency , just to take the luck( bad luck of ending up with a highly stringent reviewer ) part out of equation. 70. It will only take a 2-5 minutes of their time per theme and there are not many themes out there that fall in this categoryCategory The 'category' taxonomy lets you group posts / content together that share a common bond. Categories are pre- defined and broad ranging.( Its mostly theme shops, and they all have same options panel. Reviewing one theme from their collection, will be sufficient ) 71. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/eab88ee5accac308ecca6d5f750af705c20476c92fc524a56ffd7747a71ec9c9? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 72. [Himanshu Parashar](https://profiles.wordpress.org/uniquecodergmailcom/) 11: 50 am _on_ November 6, 2013 73. In my opinion such type of advertising should be banned completely as promotion should not be main concern while submitting work to WordPress. We are here to contribute towards the community, ease the task of people who use the wordpress instead of make money from those commercials. 74. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 1:18 pm _on_ November 6, 2013 * Since we are here only to contribute to community, lets ban credit links, author urls and theme urls too. 75. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2da6c8649e064b494077fe99b6480442de945f018988364d772adb7416b04e0f? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 76. [wpweaver](https://profiles.wordpress.org/wpweaver/) 5:20 pm _on_ November 6, 2013 77. I brought up the whole thing of upsell on the Theme Reviewers list a few weeks ago. I thought promotion had gotten a bit excessive. But here are my thoughts. 78. Developers with upsell versions of their themes must be allowed to continue to have reasonable upsell promotion in their theme admin page(s). But nothing except that one link on the visitor side. 79. To me, the line between okay and too much is easy – anything that requires active intervention on the part of the site admin is too much. No “Dismiss” buttons to close advertising. No decreased functionality unless the user takes some action. No pop-ups. No active scrolling boxes floating on the side. Just simple links, including self-contained image links. Ideally, nothing that interferes with interacting with any theme options. 80. While this is still a bit subjective, I think a standard of not allowing “active” promotion is easy enough to define. And maybe something like not over 20% of the total theme admin pages can be devoted to upsell. No embeds, no videos, just links. 81. On the other hand, one can argue that this is a user choice issue. If a theme has too much promotion, the users will not choose that theme. 82. I think one needs to look no further than many Plugins with pro versions to see upsell taken to the limits. It is so common to see a pluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory [https://wordpress.org/plugins/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/) or can be cost- based plugin from a third-party. with a tiny portion of the admin page devoted to some setting for the free version, and 80% of the rest of the page devoted to upsell. That crosses the line. But plugins can’t be the only mechanism for upselling. 83. And this leaves that one item that I thought had been left as allowed on the Theme Reviewers list – an extra menu item on the Appearance menu that can open a page wiht links to other themes and add-ons by the theme author. I personally think that is one step over the line, but if it remains allowed, I will likely use it in the future. 84. But there are a lot of popular themes with upsell versions. And I think that everyone is a winner with this model. Most of these free versions are very good themes that work just fine without the upsell version, but would likely not be available without the ability of the theme author to make a little profit on their works via the upsell mechanism. This has long been recognized as a legitimate path and need to remain one of the options for theme developers. 85. And for existing themes with embeds and videos – things that have clearly been banned for a long time – suspend them, perhaps after a week’s notice to the author. At the least, add a note the the last approved version that the theme must remove these before any revision is allowed. (Reviewers do look at the previous ticket, right?) That would have the least impact on any existing users. 86. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/213ffa27eb35ac4a16040157d8d9d8c9a1be19971a387774a8891893215ed084? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 87. [Emil Uzelac](https://profiles.wordpress.org/emiluzelac/) 9:09 pm _on_ November 6, 2013 88. First and foremost, authors should promote their pro themes, however it needs to be determined to what degree and to find out “how much is too much?”. 89. Contributing to WordPress while having a pro version upgrade is not a “crime”, but we should have clearer guidelines about that. 90. My idea _(in that perfect world)_ would be: 91. * Designated Promo Areas (set amount, yes, no?) * On/Off by User (if user doesn’t want to see promos, they should be able to turn them off) * Removable by Developer (hook/unhook) 92. Would this satisfy all? 93. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 9:19 pm _on_ November 6, 2013 * Also if we go for on/off switch now, a few months down the line, someone will say it should be disabled by default. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/213ffa27eb35ac4a16040157d8d9d8c9a1be19971a387774a8891893215ed084? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Emil Uzelac](https://profiles.wordpress.org/emiluzelac/) 9:27 pm _on_ November 6, 2013 - You’re right, I am sure that this can happen down the line, but if we set some guidelines it can be avoided. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 9:37 pm _on_ November 6, 2013 * Yes, lets quantify “how much is too much” and avoid the switch altogether. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/213ffa27eb35ac4a16040157d8d9d8c9a1be19971a387774a8891893215ed084? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Emil Uzelac](https://profiles.wordpress.org/emiluzelac/) 10:48 pm _on_ November 6, 2013 - Agreed - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 10:58 pm _on_ November 6, 2013 - Does 1:7 (lite to pro) overall( all tabs combined, if any) option fields and a banner sound good? - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 3:28 pm _on_ November 7, 2013 - That gets risky. Arbitrary-yet-rigid ratios/percentages are fraught with unintended consequences, and such specificity can be very difficult to evaluate/enforce. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 3:53 pm _on_ November 7, 2013 * In the short term, I would be fine with a Theme/Developer promotion to a * tab* on the Theme Options admin page (and/or in the Theme Options page contextual help tab) being the designated promotion area; but since my ideal world envisions a day in which Theme Options pages are replaced entirely by the Theme CustomizerCustomizer Tool built into WordPress core that hooks into most modern themes. You can use it to preview and modify many of your site’s appearance settings., that wouldn’t work as a designated promotion area in the long-term. * I wonder if this is something that could be incorporated into any future effort to allow Themes to use parsable readme.txt files, similar to the PluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory [https://wordpress.org/plugins/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/) or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. readme.txt? Developers could add a Commercial/Upsell tab to the readme, that could be displayed in the Theme directory, and/or in the WP-Admin, in whatever way the content of such a readme might conceivably be incorporated. Then, the readme.txt could be considered as a valid, designated Promo location. * If we can determine a reasonable, designated promotion location, I see no particular need to require that it be on/off configurable/filterable. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8013a62d7397c006bae48b96d6832a573ea71a7d5d3597fe584210567b508c05? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Justin Tadlock](https://profiles.wordpress.org/greenshady/) 8:20 pm _on_ November 7, 2013 - I was going to bring up the readme.txt once we start getting things up running similar to plugins. Here’s an example of how I handle my commercial service: [https://wordpress.org/plugins/clean-my-archives/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/clean-my-archives/) - There’s a short paragraph explaining that I offer professional support outside of WordPress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. [https://wordpress.org/](https://wordpress.org/). It’s not a billboard. It’s just plain and simple information. - I feel like that’s the best way to offer something usable back to the community while also promoting my commercial service without shoving it in the user’s face. 94. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 95. [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 9:17 pm _on_ November 6, 2013 96. On/Off and hooksHooks In WordPress theme and development, hooks are functions that can be applied to an action or a Filter in WordPress. Actions are functions performed when a certain event occurs in WordPress. Filters allow you to modify certain functions. Arguments used to hook both filters and actions look the same. will be complicated and most of us use available options frameworks. If how much is too much is decided by a constant and not a variable will be good enough for me. 97. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8df78e844633691c344e7eca7f3af4c92ed6d70a181becb885c8c357727942d7? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 98. [stuartwider](https://profiles.wordpress.org/stuartwider/) 7:59 am _on_ November 7, 2013 99. The real issue / concern here seems to be dealing with themes interfering with admin interface **outside** of the theme options page, iframes and redirects – which I agree should not be allowed. 100. So to keep things workable I suggest staying within the scope of Chip’s initial post on this thread, rather than widening it out to theme options page upsell links which could end up being highly subjective. 101. I’d say one suggested simple guideline could be 102. * any upsell links must be kept wholly within the context of the theme option page / customize options. 103. That way the theme is polite. 104. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 3:02 pm _on_ November 7, 2013 * Just a thought, but perhaps a good balance would be to allow Theme/Developer promotion within a *tab* on the Theme Options page (or via the Theme Options page contextual help)? * *Personally*, I agree with Justin that a separate promotion page under Appearance is too much, but we have allowed it as a reasonable concession for developers to promote their work. But a separate tab on the Theme Options page itself would be minimally obtrusive. * That said: thinking long term, in my ideal world, eventually *all* Theme options would be incorporated into the Theme CustomizerCustomizer Tool built into WordPress core that hooks into most modern themes. You can use it to preview and modify many of your site’s appearance settings., which would render a separate Theme Options page redundant and unnecessary. So, at that point: where would Theme developer promotion go? - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 3:25 pm _on_ November 7, 2013 - Tab becomes Section * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 3:25 pm _on_ November 7, 2013 * I would argue that Theme/Developer promotion has no place in the Theme CustomizerCustomizer Tool built into WordPress core that hooks into most modern themes. You can use it to preview and modify many of your site’s appearance settings. UIUI UI is an acronym for User Interface- the layout of the page the user interacts with. Think ‘how are they doing that’ and less about what they are doing.. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 3:29 pm _on_ November 7, 2013 - Theme/Developer promotion = pro only option fields or something else? - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2da6c8649e064b494077fe99b6480442de945f018988364d772adb7416b04e0f? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [wpweaver](https://profiles.wordpress.org/wpweaver/) 5:57 pm _on_ November 7, 2013 - I think confining to a single tab within theme options is too confining. Many people will never even bother to look at that tab. - I do have a single “pro” tab that changes to new options if the extension is added. - I also have an unobtrusive banner at the bottom of the overall theme admin page, and, most importantly, context sensitive information that allows the customer extra information about extensions in places that help them decide if the extension is useful to them. - But a single location it too little. I would much rather have a soft overall percentage guideline. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/) 6:34 pm _on_ November 7, 2013 * Yes, a percentage will be much preferable. A guideline and not a rigid rule. * Ex : Lets say footer section has some options, some free some pro, it makes more sense to list them all at one place rather than put pro options in a separate tab. * If the percentage is reasonably large, most themes will never breach it. If a reviewer feels the pro options are excessive, he can do the math and discuss it with author and admin. * Profitable themeshops/authors = better, beautiful and more themes for users. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 7:24 pm _on_ November 8, 2013 - I think this is great! Didn’t even think about it. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0138ef14da77b9261fdf0b83568bf7caa859d704d28586f62ea7cbc34631fe5c? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [ThemeZee](https://profiles.wordpress.org/themezee/) 9:53 pm _on_ November 7, 2013 * I would also prefer the guideline that upsell links have to be within the context of the theme option page. * But there should be no rules on how many tabs and where exactly promotion links can be and where not. That’s just too many restrictions which are difficult to follow and to review. * And options page are different. My theme options page comes with a sidebarSidebar A sidebar in WordPress is referred to a widget-ready area used by WordPress themes to display information that is not a part of the main content. It is not always a vertical column on the side. It can be a horizontal rectangle below or above the content area, footer, header, or any where in the theme. which contains various links to theme documentation, changelog, online theme translation, theme info page and also upsell links. * So far no user has ever complained about these links on the sidebar and I see no point why these should be removed and moved to a single tab.. They’re really not obtrusive at all.. * Therefore I’m really against any guidelines which restrict theme developers how they shape their theme options pages – that’s just too much. * As long as there are no security reasons theme developers should have the freedom on theme options to promote upsell versions as they like. For me it’s just about letting the user know that there is an upsell version available. I don’t think you can gain any more sales with annoying popups but when some developers want to do that I think they should be allowed on the theme option pages. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c858a06465595fdc35033f1e9edc77627794753c383a97c281e54a813a52d670? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Aubrey Portwood](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aubreypwd/) 7:25 pm _on_ November 8, 2013 - I agree, there should be some clear guidelines on upsell/promotion. I think this discussion is helping us get there though 🙂 105. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8df78e844633691c344e7eca7f3af4c92ed6d70a181becb885c8c357727942d7? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 106. [stuartwider](https://profiles.wordpress.org/stuartwider/) 8:05 am _on_ November 8, 2013 107. I’m in agreeance with ThemeZee. Theme authors are free to design their options pages how they like, and should also be free to design links into their options pages as they like. 108. To make the a rule about tabs and limit links within tabs assumes everyone uses tabs for anything useful that needs to be linked, which is definately not the case. 109. Also, not all theme options are suitable for the theme customiser, so not all theme options will reside in there in the future (unless its design is changed in the future to be more encompassing..which would kinda make it just a move from one options page to another..but with more features). 110. I see no reason why polite notices within the theme customiser sections should not be used to inform users that extra options are available. That seems perfectly acceptable to me. 111. Lets not ‘throw the baby out with the bathwater’. Just concentrate on dealing with the obviously annoying techniques which are the reason why this thread was started in the first place. They are the low hanging fruit which are easy to deal with. 112. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1b759608ffaf80ceb4578fed65a806c39ccd99c1a0a65e3bb2f47735b74efff4? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 113. [StyledThemes](https://profiles.wordpress.org/gejay/) 10:00 pm _on_ November 8, 2013 114. I just came across this discussion and I have a feeling I should ask this…in my themes, I do mention in the theme description that if the person wants more features, that there is a pro version of the theme. So to be clear, is this ok, or should I be removing that part and uploading an update to each of my themes? I just want to make sure I’m on the same page as the reviewers and admins when it comes to releasing themes and more themes over time. 115. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) 5:12 pm _on_ November 10, 2013 * Mentioning commercial options (upsell/commercial Theme version, paid support, etc.) in the Theme description is certainly fine, IMHO. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1b759608ffaf80ceb4578fed65a806c39ccd99c1a0a65e3bb2f47735b74efff4? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [StyledThemes](https://profiles.wordpress.org/gejay/) 6:21 pm _on_ November 10, 2013 - lol…thanks Chip, I was getting paranoid there for a while. It’s a daily learning process. 116. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bd324e0732e0f74200d26f781b3f9734a33f1c607da85984ff1f87191305fe65? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 117. [CyberChimps](https://profiles.wordpress.org/cyberchimps/) 9:27 pm _on_ November 25, 2013 118. From Trent at CyberChimps: 119. Is there a final decision on this issue? 120. I am strongly opposed to the idea preventing us from redirecting users to the theme options page. Many first time users have no idea what theme options are, it is intuitive and natural for them to get sent to the theme options page upon activation. 121. If users suddenly activate a theme and it doesn’t take them to the theme options then they may never even realize the theme even has options. 122. If we’re going to make a rule on this, I think we should simply specify that it can only be to the theme options or customizerCustomizer Tool built into WordPress core that hooks into most modern themes. You can use it to preview and modify many of your site’s appearance settings.. 123. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6ccc385fcf30e05cb6545dafa7daf5655ee040403bb25416810e2016896129dd? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 124. [Tikendra Maitry](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tikendramaitry/) 12:16 pm _on_ January 14, 2014 125. After going through complete discussion thread, I am still not clear about the statement made in post or we can say in new guidelines: 126. “Adding a Theme info page is fine. Adding a Theme info page that promotes other of the developer’s Themes is fine.” 127. I have two queries: 128. 1. Am I still allowed to have a separate theme info page along with the details of my other theme with respective WPORG theme link, Demo link and upsell theme link? 129. In my opinion its complicated/confusing to have a tab for it, having a separate page is much better as if user want(if he likes the theme) he can go and check that info page for theme details and other themes. 130. 2. If someone have upsell version of his theme then is he allowed to show setup insctruction link and upsell version link on the theme “option page only”? Comments are closed. # Post navigation [← Theme Review Points of Emphasis](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2013/11/01/theme-review-points-of-emphasis/) [Guidelines Shouldn’t Fail a Theme →](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2013/11/10/guidelines-shouldnt-fail-a-theme/)