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Current status: ShrinkTheWeb’s homepage says the service is under new management and preparing to relaunch, but does not confirm when it will return or whether registration, pricing, or its API are currently available. Its WordPress plugin is a legacy listing last updated in 2017, so its old setup instructions are historical—not verified for current WordPress versions. Check ShrinkTheWeb’s homepage before building a new workflow around it.
What the ShrinkTheWeb WordPress integration did
The legacy ShrinkTheWeb Website Previews plugin was intended to place a screenshot thumbnail of another website inside WordPress post content. Its directory listing describes a shortcode, local caching, and configurable screenshot output. Using it required a free or paid ShrinkTheWeb account, according to that listing.
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The listing identifies version 2.8.5, last updated August 4, 2017, and tested up to WordPress 4.8.30. Those details do not establish compatibility with current WordPress or PHP releases, nor do they show that the service and plugin still work together.
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How do I add website screenshot thumbnails to a WordPress post?
If ShrinkTheWeb and the plugin are available to you, the historical workflow is to install and activate the plugin, obtain a ShrinkTheWeb account, and put its shortcode around the target page URL in your post content:
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[stwthumb]https://example.com[/stwthumb]
The listing gives this example pattern for inserting a thumbnail. It does not document current block-editor steps, a present-day settings-page location, or detailed shortcode attributes, so do not assume a particular editor control or configuration screen exists today.
What the old listing says about options
The plugin listing describes a TinyMCE shortcode helper and options related to local caching, screenshot quality, hover previews, alt and title attributes, and custom filenames. It also describes inside-page captures, full-length captures, custom screenshot sizes, and custom browser resolution as PRO features requiring an upgrade. These are historical listing claims, not confirmed current features or plan entitlements.
Check availability and compatibility before installing
- Check the service first. ShrinkTheWeb’s homepage currently says it is preparing to relaunch. The notice does not confirm signup availability, current pricing, API access, or a return date.
- Inspect the plugin’s current directory record. Confirm it is still available, review its latest update and stated WordPress and PHP compatibility, and check whether its documentation explains account or API authentication.
- Test in a non-production WordPress site. Install and activate it there, add one shortcode to a draft post, and verify that a thumbnail actually appears on the front end. The historical version’s compatibility information does not verify operation in a current installation.
- Only then publish the integration. If registration, authentication, or rendering fails, avoid relying on the plugin for a production page until you can confirm a supported fix.
Alternatives if the legacy plugin is unavailable
The WordPress.org screenshot tag directory lists other website screenshot and preview plugins, including Browser Screenshots, WP Screenshot, Urlbox Screenshots, and Screenshot Machine Shortcode. The directory listing alone does not establish that any one is maintained, compatible with your WordPress version, or equivalent to ShrinkTheWeb. Check each plugin’s current listing and test it before use.
When comparing a WordPress plugin or screenshot service, check whether it captures pages remotely or locally, embeds an image or imports one into the media library, supports the dimensions and full-page behavior you need, caches and refreshes captures as expected, and requires an account or API key. Also verify current WordPress/PHP compatibility, pricing, and whether it can capture your target pages reliably.
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