The X (Twitter) Widget
Tirenoa: X is a classic WordPress widget that shows the posts of an X (formerly Twitter) account in a sidebar or footer. It was written when Twitter offered free access to timelines. X has since restricted that access, so part of the widget no longer produces any output.
This page explains honestly what each style does, so you can decide whether the widget is worth using. In every case the content comes from X: either your web server or the visitor’s browser connects to X.
In this article: Where the Widget Is · The Three Widget Styles · Set Up the X Style · About the Tirenoa Style Fields · Privacy · Related
Where the Widget Is
The widget belongs to the legacy widget areas, which are off by default. Turn on Legacy Widget Areas under Tirenoa › Options › Advanced › Features, then add Tirenoa: X under Appearance › Widgets or with the Widget Element in the Builder.
The Three Widget Styles
| Widget Style | How it gets the posts | Status |
|---|---|---|
| X Style | The visitor’s browser loads X’s own timeline box for the account in X Username. | Works as far as X delivers the embedded timeline. X decides what a visitor sees there, for example whether a visitor who is not logged in to X sees posts. |
| Tirenoa Style | Your web server asks X for the latest posts, using the keys of an X developer app, and prints them in the site’s own design. | Uses an older X interface (API version 1.1). X closed this interface for free developer accounts in 2023. Without a reply from X the widget prints nothing, and it shows no error message. |
| X Preconfigured Style (deprecated) | Loads a timeline that was configured on X and is identified by an X Widget ID. | Marked as deprecated in the widget itself. Only for timelines that were set up on X long ago; do not use it for a new widget. |
Note: Tirenoa Style is the preselected style when you add the widget. If the widget stays empty on the front end, this is the usual reason. Switch Widget Style to X Style.
Set Up the X Style
- Set Widget Style to X Style.
- Enter the account name in X Username.
- Set Max. Width (between 180 and 520) and Height (at least 200).
- Choose the Color Scheme (Light or Dark), and if you like a Link Color and Border Color.
- Use Show Header, Show Footer, Show Borders and Transparent Background to reduce the box to what you need.
- Save, then check the widget in a private browser window, where you are not logged in to X. That is what most visitors will see.
About the Tirenoa Style Fields
This style shows Consumer Key, Consumer Secret, Access Token and Access Token Secret. All four must be filled in, together with X Username, or the widget prints nothing. They come from an app created in the X developer portal. The replies from X are stored on your site for 16 minutes, so new posts appear with that delay.
Only use this style if you have an X API plan that still includes the version 1.1 user timeline. For most accounts it does not, and the X Style or a simple link to your X profile is the better choice.
Privacy
- X Style and the preconfigured style: each visitor’s browser loads a script from X (platform.twitter.com) and with it sends the visitor’s IP address and browser details to X. The widget sets X’s “do not track” flag for the embed, but the connection itself still happens.
- Consent: if Enable Privacy Consent is on in the privacy options, the X script is held back and a placeholder is shown until the visitor agrees to the X embed.
- Tirenoa Style: only your web server contacts X. Visitors’ browsers do not, and no visitor data goes to X.
If your site must not connect visitors to third parties without consent, turn on Enable Privacy Consent before you use the widget, or replace the widget with a plain link to your profile, for example with the Social Links Element.