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better_messages_pm_button

info

How to add shortcodes?

Legacy shortcode

Prefer better_messages_live_chat_button for new implementations — it auto-decides between mini chat and full page based on plugin settings, and reliably handles guest visitors.

Private message button shortcode

Shows private message button

AttributeWhats it forDefault
textSets button text label"Private Message"
user_id

Set User ID with whom conversation will be started

Post author of WordPress Post/Page
subjectPrefill subject at the new conversation screenNone
messagePrefill message at the new conversation screenNone
target

Set _self to open in same page
Set _blank to open in new browser tab

_self
fast_start

Set 0 to force the new-conversation screen (with subject / message prefills).

Default behaviour follows the global Fast Start setting under Better Messages → Settings → Messaging — when that setting is on, the button jumps straight into the existing thread and the subject / message attributes are ignored.

1 (follow global setting)
url_only

Set 1 to not render button, but display just URL

0
class

Sets additional class to button html element.
Useful for additional CSS styling.

None
[better_messages_pm_button text="Private Message" subject="Have a question to you" message="Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text." target="_self" class="extra-class" fast_start="0" url_only="0"]

Frequently asked questions#

Why is this marked legacy?#

The newer [better_messages_live_chat_button] shortcode handles guest authorization, auto-decides between mini-chat and full-page, and supports AI bot targeting. Use it for new implementations.

Will this shortcode keep working?#

Yes — backwards-compatible. Existing pages using [better_messages_pm_button] continue to work indefinitely.

What's fast_start?#

With fast_start="1", clicking the button opens the conversation screen directly, skipping the new-conversation form. The subject and message prefills are ignored in fast-start mode.

Why might I still use this over the new shortcode?#

pm_button has a message prefill attribute (the new shortcode doesn't, since it's geared toward universal use). If you specifically need to prefill the first message, this remains useful.

Does this work for guests?#

No — the legacy shortcode doesn't include the guest authorization flow. Use better_messages_live_chat_button for guest-compatible usage.

See also#