WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 Beta 4: WPGeo Framework Now Built In

WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 Beta 4 is an important maturity milestone for the upcoming 3.0 release.

When we introduced WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 Beta, we announced a complete rebuild powered by the new WPGeo Framework. Beta 4 takes that foundation further by embedding the framework directly inside the plugin and introducing a dedicated migration system for existing licenses, settings, job locations, and resume locations.

This release is focused on making installation and upgrades safer and more straightforward while also introducing a powerful recovery tool that can bulk geocode existing jobs and resumes that are missing location coordinates.

WPGeo Framework Is Now Built In

WP Job Manager Geolocation previously required WPGeo Framework to be installed as a separate WordPress plugin.

Starting with WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 Beta 4, the framework is included directly inside the WP Job Manager Geolocation plugin package.

Only one plugin package needs to be installed and updated
No separate WPGeo Framework download is required
The correct compatible framework version is always included
Updates can be installed through the normal WordPress plugin workflow
Multiple compatible WPGeo-based plugins can safely share the same framework runtime

WPGeo Framework remains the shared engine behind the plugin, but it is now managed internally as part of WP Job Manager Geolocation.

What Happens to the Standalone WPGeo Framework Plugin?

If the standalone WPGeo Framework plugin is currently installed, do not remove it before installing Beta 4.

The embedded framework includes transition handling for existing installations. On a standard single-site installation, a redundant standalone framework may be deactivated and identified as safe to remove after a compatible embedded version has loaded.

Multisite and network-activated installations are handled more conservatively to avoid affecting other sites or plugins that may still depend on the standalone framework.

The standalone framework plugin is not automatically deleted. After updating, confirm that WP Job Manager Geolocation and any other WPGeo-based plugins are functioning correctly before removing it.

A Dedicated Migration System for Existing Sites

Beta 4 introduces a versioned migration system designed to preserve data from existing WP Job Manager Geolocation installations.

When the updated plugin loads, it automatically checks for older data and migrates the following:

License information – Existing license details are carried into the new licensing system where applicable
Job settings – Existing Jobs Geolocation settings are converted to the new 3.0 settings structure
Resume settings – Existing Resume Geolocation settings are migrated into the integrated Pro component
Job locations – Existing coordinates, addresses, and supported location metadata are transferred into the new WPGeo location storage
Resume locations – Existing resume location records are transferred using the same migration process

Existing settings already saved by an earlier 3.0 beta are preserved and take precedence over older legacy values.

Safe, Resumable Location Migration

Location records are processed in small, controlled batches instead of attempting to migrate every job and resume in a single request.

This helps prevent timeouts on larger sites. If the process is interrupted, it can continue from the last successfully migrated record the next time it runs.

The migration is also designed to be safe to run more than once without creating duplicate locations.

Legacy location records and settings are left untouched during the migration, providing an additional rollback safeguard while the beta is being tested.

Bulk Geocode Jobs and Resumes Missing Location Data

Beta 4 introduces a significantly improved location importer that can do more than restore missing location records.

The importer can now scan existing jobs or resumes, identify listings that have an address but are missing latitude and longitude coordinates, and geocode those addresses in bulk.

This solves a common problem on WP Job Manager websites. WP Job Manager is normally responsible for geocoding a listing when it is submitted or updated. However, location coordinates may be missing when:

The WP Job Manager Server API key was missing or incorrectly configured
The required Geocoding API was not enabled
A temporary API or network error occurred when the listing was saved
Jobs or resumes were imported from another website or plugin
Listings were created before geocoding was properly configured

A listing may still display its written address while lacking the coordinates required for proximity searches and maps. This can make it difficult to understand why the listing does not appear in location-based results or as a map marker.

Previously, administrators generally needed to fix the Server API key and then manually update every affected job or resume so WP Job Manager would attempt to geocode it again.

The new importer provides a much simpler recovery process.

How the Importer Works

When the location scan runs, the importer checks each selected job or resume:

If a valid WPGeo location already exists, the listing is skipped
If WP Job Manager already stored valid coordinates, those coordinates are imported without making another geocoding request
If the listing has an address but no coordinates, the importer can geocode the address when the optional geocoding setting is enabled
If the listing has no usable address, it is identified and skipped
If an address cannot be geocoded, the failed listing is reported for review

Newly generated coordinates and structured address data are saved back into WP Job Manager’s standard location fields as well as the WPGeo location system. This keeps both systems synchronized without requiring each listing to be opened and updated manually.

Safe Batch Processing

Jobs and resumes are processed in controlled batches, making the importer suitable for websites with large numbers of listings.

The progress panel shows how many listings were scanned, imported, skipped, or failed, along with the result for each processed listing.

Geocoding missing coordinates is optional and must be explicitly enabled before starting the scan. Because each address may generate a request to Google’s Geocoding API, confirm that the WP Job Manager Server API key is configured correctly before running the importer. Geocoding requests may count against your Google Maps API quota and may incur charges.

This feature provides administrators with a practical way to repair incomplete location data and restore missing listings to proximity searches and maps without manually editing every job or resume.

Legacy Shortcodes Continue to Work

WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 uses the standardized wpjmgeo_ prefix for new shortcode attributes and dedicated plugin shortcodes.

Existing shortcodes and attributes using the older gjm_ and grm_ prefixes remain supported through the compatibility layer. They are detected and normalized internally, so existing pages should not require immediate shortcode changes.

For new configurations, we recommend using the current syntax:

[jobs wpjmgeo_mode="settings"]

You can update older shortcode configurations gradually rather than changing every page as part of the beta upgrade.

Jobs, Resumes, and Alerts in One Plugin

WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 continues the simplified product structure introduced with the original beta:

Starter provides geolocation features for WP Job Manager job listings
Pro includes everything in Starter plus geolocation support for Resumes and Alerts

As previously announced, all existing customers automatically receive access to the Pro version. No additional purchase, license migration, or license-key change is required.

If you still have the standalone Resume Manager Geolocation extension installed, update to WP Job Manager Geolocation Pro and verify your resume settings, locations, searches, and maps before removing the older extension.

Google Maps API Reminder

WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 uses Google’s current Places API for address autocomplete.

Before testing the beta, confirm that Places API (New) is enabled for your Browser API key. An older key may still display maps while address autocomplete fails if the newer Places API has not been enabled.

See the Google Maps API setup guide for configuration instructions.

Before Installing Beta 4

WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 remains a beta release. We strongly recommend testing it on a staging or development site before updating a production website.

Create a complete backup of your website and database.
Install Beta 4 over your existing WP Job Manager Geolocation installation.
Allow the automatic migration to complete.
Review your Jobs and Resumes geolocation settings.
Test job and resume submission and editing.
Test proximity searches, maps, autocomplete, and distance output.
Confirm that existing job and resume locations remain available.
Verify any pages using legacy geolocation shortcodes or attributes.

If WordPress displays a migration warning, reload the page to allow the plugin to retry. If the warning continues, contact support before making additional changes.

Download WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 Beta 4

Existing customers can download the beta from their account under File Downloads.

Because this is a beta release, use it on a staging or development site first and report any unexpected behavior through the support system.

Not a customer yet? Visit the WP Job Manager Geolocation plans page to compare the available plans and choose the option that fits your job board.

Beta 4 brings the rebuilt plugin much closer to a dependable production release by simplifying framework installation, safely migrating existing data, and providing administrators with a practical way to bulk repair jobs and resumes that are missing location coordinates.

WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 Beta: Rebuilt from the Ground Up with WPGeo

We’re excited to announce the beta release of WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0. This is a major milestone for the plugin that was completely rebuilt from the ground up using our new WPGeo Framework.

This release introduces a modern architecture, improved performance, cleaner integrations with WP Job Manager, and a more stable foundation for future features.

The beta is now available for testing. We strongly recommend installing it on a development or staging site before updating a live environment.

A Complete Rewrite Powered by the WPGeo Framework

WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 is not an incremental update. It’s a full architectural rebuild.

At its core is the new WPGeo Framework - a shared, modular geolocation engine that now powers all of our geolocation plugins.

Unified architecture – One core engine shared across WPGeo products
Improved performance – Optimized queries, smarter caching, and reduced overhead
Cleaner codebase – Modern structure with clear separation of concerns
Long-term stability – Built for maintainability and future expansion

This foundation allows us to fix long-standing issues, simplify complex logic, and deliver consistent behavior across different environments and themes.

Installation Notes

Version 3.0 requires the WPGeo Framework.

If the framework is already installed, the plugin activates normally.
If it’s missing, you’ll see a one-click prompt to install it automatically.

No manual uploads or extra configuration are required.

Performance Improvements & Search Optimization

The search and map logic in WP Job Manager Geolocation has been fully rewritten to improve speed, predictability, and scalability.

More efficient proximity and boundary searches
Improved handling of large result sets
Smarter asset loading based on active geolocation mode
Better compatibility with WP Job Manager caching

These improvements result in faster page loads, more reliable search results, and smoother map rendering, especially on high-traffic or directory-style sites.

New Shortcode Attribute Prefix

WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 introduces a standardized shortcode attribute prefix to simplify configuration and align with the new framework.

All geolocation-related shortcode attributes now use the global wpjmgeo_ prefix.

For example, instead of using legacy prefixes such as gjm_ or grm_, new and recommended usage looks like this:

[jobs wpjmgeo_mode="settings" wpjmgeo_map="1" wpjmgeo_distance="1"]

To ensure a smooth upgrade path, all legacy shortcode attributes will continue to work. Older prefixes are automatically detected and normalized internally, so no immediate changes are required for existing sites.

This update simply provides a cleaner, more consistent API moving forward.

Modern Google Maps API Usage

Version 3.0 uses Google’s modern APIs and updated loading patterns to ensure long-term compatibility, better performance, and continued support from Google.

The plugin now relies on the new Google Places API for address autocomplete and related location services. As a result, existing Browser API keys must be updated to ensure the Places API (New) is enabled in your Google Cloud project.

If you are upgrading from an earlier version, simply reusing an old API key without enabling the new Places API may cause autocomplete and location features to stop working.

Make sure your Google Cloud project is properly configured before testing the beta. You can follow the updated setup guide in the documentation to ensure everything is enabled correctly.

For help setting up or updating your API keys, see our updated API setup guide.

Updated Plans & Pricing Structure

With the release of WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 beta, the plugin now uses a simplified and more flexible licensing structure.

The new plan lineup is:

Standard – Includes full geolocation support for WP Job Manager Jobs, including proximity search, maps, distance output, autocomplete, and all core geolocation features.
Pro – Includes everything in Standard plus integration for Resumes and Alerts.

Important: All existing customers automatically have access to the Pro plan. No upgrades, migrations, or license changes are required.

This new structure better reflects how the plugin is used in real-world setups while keeping licensing simple and transparent.

Existing Customers & Standalone Extensions

If you previously purchased the Jobs + Resumes bundle, or bought the Jobs and Resumes Geolocation extensions separately, no additional purchase is required.

With version 3.0, all resume-related functionality is now fully included in the Pro version of WP Job Manager Geolocation.

You only need the WP Job Manager Geolocation Pro plugin installed
Your existing WP Job Manager Geolocation license key will activate all Pro features
No license migration or key changes are required

If you currently have the standalone Resume Manager Geolocation extension installed, it should be deactivated and removed, as it is no longer required and its functionality is now built directly into the core Pro plugin.

Migration & Compatibility Notes

WP Job Manager Geolocation 3.0 is designed to be backward-compatible with existing setups whenever possible, while still cleaning up legacy behavior.

Legacy shortcode attributes are normalized internally
Older integrations are handled through a compatibility layer
Deprecated standalone extensions are no longer required

In many cases, functionality that previously required separate extensions is now built directly into the core plugin.

Beta Testing & Feedback

This beta release is an important step toward the stable 3.0 launch, and feedback is highly appreciated.

Test on a staging or development site
Verify search, maps, and filters behave as expected
Report any bugs or unexpected behavior

Your feedback helps ensure a smooth transition and a solid release for everyone.

Download the Beta

Existing customers can download the beta from their account under File Downloads.

We’re excited to share this new foundation and look forward to expanding WP Job Manager Geolocation even further.