displaying the total number of twitter followers as text on wordpress

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How to Display Twitter Follower Count as Text on WordPress

By Naveed Ahmed, WordPress Expert with 15 years of experience

In the dynamic world of digital marketing, social media plays a crucial role in building brand credibility and establishing expertise. Twitter, with its vast user base and real-time engagement, offers a powerful platform for businesses and individuals to connect with their audience. Displaying your Twitter follower count directly on your WordPress website can significantly enhance your online presence, showcasing your social media influence and boosting user trust.

While many social media plugins provide options to embed Twitter feeds and follower counts, sometimes you need a more integrated approach. Displaying your follower count as plain text offers greater flexibility, allowing you to seamlessly incorporate it into your content, footer, or any other desired location on your WordPress website.

In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through the step-by-step process of displaying your Twitter follower count as text on WordPress. We will cover everything from obtaining the necessary API keys to implementing custom code and troubleshooting common issues. By the end, you will be equipped to effectively leverage your Twitter following to enhance your website’s credibility and engagement.

Why Display Twitter Follower Count as Text?

Displaying your Twitter follower count as text offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance your website’s appeal and credibility:

  • Social Proof: A visible follower count acts as social proof, demonstrating your online influence and credibility. Users are more likely to trust a website with a substantial following, perceiving it as a reliable source of information.
  • Increased Trust: A high follower count builds trust and confidence in your brand. Users are more likely to engage with your content and convert into customers if they see that others are actively following you.
  • Enhanced Engagement: Displaying your follower count encourages users to explore your Twitter profile, potentially leading to new followers and increased engagement on your social media platforms.
  • Content Integration: You can seamlessly integrate your follower count into your blog posts, landing pages, and other content, creating a more engaging and informative experience for your visitors.
  • Flexibility: Displaying your follower count as text allows you to customize its appearance and placement to match your website’s design and branding.

Step-by-Step Guide: Displaying Twitter Follower Count as Text

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps involved in displaying your Twitter follower count as text on your WordPress website:

Step 1: Get an X API Key and Secret

Before accessing your Twitter follower data, you need to create an X (formerly Twitter) developer account and obtain API keys and secrets. This process is essential for authenticating your requests and retrieving the information you need:

  1. Create an X Developer Account: Visit the X developer portal (https://developer.x.com/) and click on “Sign up for Free Account.” You will be asked to provide basic information, including your name, email address, and website.
  2. Create a New Application: After successful registration, you’ll be directed to the X developer portal dashboard. Click on “Projects & Apps” and then “Create a New Application.” Select a project name that reflects your website, and provide a brief description of how you intend to use the API.
  3. Generate API Keys and Secrets: Navigate to the “Keys and Tokens” tab within your newly created application. Click on the “Reveal” button next to the API Key and Secret. These credentials are vital, so make sure to store them securely in a password manager or a safe place. Never share these credentials publicly.

Step 2: Add Custom Code to Your WordPress Website

Now that you have your API keys and secrets, you can add custom code to your WordPress website to retrieve and display your Twitter follower count as text. We will utilize a combination of PHP functions and the X API to achieve this:

  1. Install and Activate WPCode Plugin: WPCode is a free and powerful WordPress plugin that simplifies adding custom code snippets to your website. Install and activate the plugin from the WordPress dashboard.
  2. Create a New Code Snippet: Once WPCode is active, go to “Code Snippets” and click on “Add Snippet.” You’ll be presented with various ready-to-use snippets; however, we’ll create a new one.
  3. Paste PHP Code: In the WPCode editor, paste the following PHP code, replacing the placeholder values with your API key and secret. Ensure that ‘wpbeginner’ in the code is replaced with your actual Twitter username. 
    function getTwitterFollowers($screenName = 'wpbeginner') {
    // some variables
    $consumerKey = 'YOUR_CONSUMER_KEY';
    $consumerSecret = 'YOUR_CONSUMER_SECRET';
    $token = get_option('cfTwitterToken');

    // get follower count from cache
    $numberOfFollowers = get_transient('cfTwitterFollowers');

    // cache version does not exist or expired
    if (false === $numberOfFollowers) {
        // getting new auth bearer only if we don't have one
        if(!$token) {
            // preparing credentials
            $credentials = $consumerKey . ':' . $consumerSecret;
            $toSend = base64_encode($credentials);

            // http post arguments
            $args = array(
                'method' => 'POST',
                'httpversion' => '1.1',
                'blocking' => true,
                'headers' => array(
                    'Authorization' => 'Basic ' . $toSend,
                    'Content-Type' => 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded;charset=UTF-8'
                ),
                'body' => array( 'grant_type' => 'client_credentials' )
            );

            add_filter('https_ssl_verify', '__return_false');
            $response = wp_remote_post('https://api.twitter.com/oauth2/token', $args);

            $keys = json_decode(wp_remote_retrieve_body($response));

            if($keys) {
                // saving token to wp_options table
                update_option('cfTwitterToken', $keys->access_token);
                $token = $keys->access_token;
            }
        }
        // we have bearer token wether we obtained it from API or from options
        $args = array(
            'httpversion' => '1.1',
            'blocking' => true,
            'headers' => array(
                'Authorization' => "Bearer $token"
            )
        );

        add_filter('https_ssl_verify', '__return_false');
        $api_url = "https://api.twitter.com/1.1/users/show.json?screen_name=$screenName";
        $response = wp_remote_get($api_url, $args);

        if (!is_wp_error($response)) {
            $followers = json_decode(wp_remote_retrieve_body($response));
            $numberOfFollowers = $followers->followers_count;
        } else {
            // get old value and break
            $numberOfFollowers = get_option('cfNumberOfFollowers');
            // uncomment below to debug
            //die($response->get_error_message());
        }

        // cache for an hour
        set_transient('cfTwitterFollowers', $numberOfFollowers, 1*60*60);
        update_option('cfNumberOfFollowers', $numberOfFollowers);
    }

    return $numberOfFollowers;
}

echo getTwitterFollowers();
  4. Activate the Code Snippet: Toggle the “Inactive” switch to “Active” and click on “Save Snippet.”
  5. Generate Shortcode: Scroll down to the “Insertion” section. WPCode provides options to insert the code snippet in various locations, such as after each post or within specific sections. Click on the “Shortcode” button to generate a shortcode for your snippet.
  6. Insert Shortcode on Your Website: In the WordPress editor, click on the “+” button and search for “Shortcode.” Select the “Shortcode” block, paste the generated shortcode, and click on “Update” or “Publish” to save your changes.

Bonus Tip: Optimizing Your X Strategy

Now that you’ve successfully displayed your Twitter follower count, let’s explore additional strategies to enhance your X marketing efforts:

  • Add X Share and Retweet Buttons: Integrate X share and retweet buttons on your WordPress website to encourage users to easily share your content with their followers. This increases your reach and drives more traffic to your website.
  • Promote Your X Page with a Popup: Utilize popups to promote your X page and encourage users to follow you. A well-designed popup can effectively capture attention and incentivize users to join your X community.

Conclusion

Displaying your Twitter follower count as text on your WordPress website is a powerful strategy for boosting credibility, increasing trust, and enhancing engagement. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively leverage your X following to enhance your online presence and drive positive results for your business.

FAQs

How often does the follower count update?

The code uses caching to optimize performance, so the follower count updates every hour. However, you can adjust the caching interval in the code if needed.

What if I want to display multiple Twitter follower counts?

You can create separate code snippets for each Twitter account and use different shortcodes for each. Make sure to use unique names for your shortcodes and API keys to avoid conflicts.

Can I use this code in other PHP applications?

Yes, with a few modifications, you can adapt the code to work in other PHP applications. Make sure to adjust the code to integrate with your chosen framework or environment.

What if the code doesn’t work?

Double-check the following:

  • Ensure that you have entered the correct API key and secret.
  • Verify that the Twitter username is accurate.
  • Make sure that WPCode is activated and the code snippet is enabled.
  • Test the code in a browser’s developer console to identify any errors or issues.

Can I display other social media follower counts using this method?

While the code is specifically designed for Twitter, you can adapt the principles to display follower counts from other social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. You’ll need to adjust the API calls and data retrieval methods to accommodate those platforms.

Can I customize the display format of the follower count?

Yes, you can modify the PHP code to include additional text or formatting elements. For example, you can add “Followers” or “Following” after the count or format the numbers with commas for readability.

Is this method secure?

The code uses the X API securely, but it’s important to store your API keys and secrets safely and never share them publicly. Avoid using sensitive information directly in the code and consider utilizing environment variables or secure storage methods.

How can I further increase my Twitter engagement?

Here are some tips:

  • Post engaging content that resonates with your target audience.
  • Use relevant hashtags to increase your visibility.
  • Engage with other users by replying to comments and retweeting valuable content.
  • Run Twitter contests and giveaways to boost participation.

What are some other ways to promote my Twitter page on my website?

You can:

  • Add a Twitter follow button to your sidebar or footer.
  • Embed your latest tweets in your website using a plugin.
  • Mention your Twitter handle in your blog posts and website content.

Is there any alternative to using WPCode?

Yes, you can use other code snippet plugins like Insert Headers and Footers or Code Snippets. However, WPCode is a popular and user-friendly option for managing custom code on WordPress websites.

Is it necessary to use caching for follower count retrieval?

Caching improves performance by reducing the number of requests to the X API. However, if you need to retrieve updated follower counts frequently, you can adjust the caching interval or disable it completely.

If you’re interested in learning more about tech news, feel free to visit my website: www.naveedahmed.me.

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