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Stickers for WordPress Chat: Built-In Sticker Packs

· 6 min read
Andrij Tkachenko
Creator of Better Messages

Stickers are how casual conversation actually happens in 2026 — a sticker sends a feeling in one tap where typing the same sentiment takes a sentence. Better Messages 2.14.16 introduced a built-in sticker pack system with a curated catalog (one-click install from the Better Messages library), multi-language support, role-based access per pack, inline typing suggestions, and the ability to upload your own custom packs. The legacy Stipop provider is still around but the built-in system is the recommended option.

What stickers look like in the messenger​

Two ways for members to send a sticker:

  1. Sticker picker — tap the sticker button next to the composer, browse packs, search, tap a sticker to send.
  2. Inline suggestions — type a keyword (e.g. "hi", "thanks") and a horizontal strip of matching stickers pops up above the composer. Pick with click, arrow keys, or Tab. Press Escape or add a space to dismiss.

The picker simplifies when only one pack is installed: pack tabs disappear, sticker grid + search appear immediately.

Built-in sticker catalog​

The Better Messages library publishes a growing catalog of free sticker packs. Each pack:

  • Has a cover image and name visible in the picker tabs.
  • Is type-classified as reaction (text-based stickers like "LOL", "THANKS") or character (illustrated characters like cute animals).
  • Lists available languages — for text-based packs, you pick which image-language variants to install; for character packs, label translations come bundled automatically.

One-click install from Settings → Integrations → Stickers. Multiple packs can install simultaneously with their own progress indicators.

Multi-language packs​

Two distinct localization shapes:

Text-based packs (reaction type)​

Stickers like "LOL", "THANKS", "GG" have text baked into the image. These packs ship separate image sets per language. When installing, select which image languages you want (English, Spanish, French, Japanese, etc.). Each language has its own sticker images, cover, and translated keywords. Members on locale es_ES see Spanish sticker images; members on locale ja see Japanese ones.

Character packs (universal images)​

Stickers like cute character art ("Whiskers", "Mochi", "Bruno") have no language-baked-in text. These packs use one image set globally but ship translated sticker names and keywords for many languages automatically. A Spanish-speaking member searching "gato" finds the cat sticker; an English speaker searching "cat" finds the same one.

Role-based access per pack​

Each pack has an Allowed roles setting:

  • Leave all unchecked → pack visible to everyone (including guests).
  • Check specific roles → only those roles see the pack.
  • Includes a synthetic Guests role for unregistered visitors.

If a user has no access to any enabled pack, the sticker button is hidden from their chat composer entirely. Useful for tier-gating: free members get the basic reaction pack, Pro members get the premium character packs, guests get nothing.

Custom packs (upload your own)​

Click + New pack in Settings → Integrations → Stickers → Installed sticker packs to create a pack from scratch. Upload PNG / WebP / animated WebP images, assign keywords for search, set the cover, configure allowed roles, optionally add per-language translations.

Custom packs work exactly like catalog packs — same picker, same translation pipeline, same role access.

Inline typing suggestions​

Toggle the global Inline suggestions setting on, then opt in per-pack. Behavior:

  • Type a single word (2–20 characters) in the composer.
  • A horizontal strip of matching stickers appears above the input.
  • Up to 8 matches shown, scored by quality (exact name > exact keyword > starts-with > contains).
  • Click, Tab, or arrow-key + Enter to pick and send.
  • Escape or space to dismiss.

The sticker manifest loads lazily on the first keystroke — no impact on chat-page load time.

Per-locale customization in custom packs​

The pack editor's locale tabs let you:

  • Translate the pack title and description per language.
  • Translate per-sticker names and keywords per language.
  • Upload per-language sticker images (for text-based packs).
  • Upload a per-language cover image (so locale-specific covers show in the picker tabs).

How to enable​

  1. WP Admin → Better Messages → Settings → Integrations → Stickers.
  2. Set Provider to Built-in packs.
  3. (Optional) Enable Inline suggestions.
  4. Browse the Available sticker packs catalog. Click Install on packs you want.
  5. (Optional) Reorder installed packs with the arrow buttons. The order determines the tab order in the picker.
  6. (Optional) Click Edit on a pack to set role restrictions, edit translations, or upload more stickers.

Free vs WebSocket version​

Stickers work on both versions:

FeatureFree versionWebSocket version
Built-in sticker catalogyesyes
Multi-language packsyesyes
Custom upload packsyesyes
Role-based access per packyesyes
Inline typing suggestionsyesyes
Real-time delivery of sticker messagespollinginstant
Animated WebP stickersyesyes

Frequently asked questions​

Does this work alongside GIPHY?​

Yes — GIPHY GIFs and Stickers are separate features. GIPHY GIFs come from the GIPHY library; stickers come from the BM catalog (or your custom uploads). Members can use both in the same conversation.

Can stickers be animated?​

Yes — animated WebP is supported for both catalog and custom stickers. PNG and static WebP are also supported.

Where are sticker images stored?​

In your WordPress uploads directory.

What happened to Stipop?​

Stipop is a third-party sticker service that Better Messages integrated with historically. Its free plan has been reduced to 20 monthly active users, so the built-in catalog is now the recommended provider. Stipop still works for sites that already use it.

Can I sell sticker packs to members?​

The plugin does not have a built-in sticker store. For "paid stickers", combine role-based access on a pack with a membership plugin: gate the pack to a paid role, sell access to the role via your membership plugin.

Will sticker keyword search work in a non-Latin script?​

Yes — search runs against the language-specific keyword set per pack. Japanese / Chinese / Cyrillic / Arabic search all work for packs that ship those translations.

See also​

Install Better Messages from WordPress.org →