Genesis Columns Advanced
Plugin Review
AI-ResearchedWhat is Genesis Columns Advanced?
Genesis Columns Advanced is a shortcode-based plugin built to create responsive column layouts inside the Classic Editor. Developed by Nick Diego, it has been available for 11 years and served users of the Genesis Framework originally, then later any WordPress site. The plugin currently shows 10K+ active installs and holds a 4.8/5 rating from 25 reviews, with 88% of those being five-star and zero percent one-star. As of version 2.0.5, last updated on Jun 23, 2024, the plugin is no longer under active development. The author explicitly states it is nearing end of life and recommends transitioning to the native WordPress Columns block.
The plugin was originally designed to output shortcodes matching the column classes in the Genesis Framework. version 2.0.5 made it standalone, loading its own CSS without requiring Genesis. This change also added support for fifths, enabling five even columns. With 42 different column configurations available, it remains a functional tool for legacy sites still running the Classic Editor.
Key Features of Genesis Columns Advanced
- 42 Responsive Column Layouts — Choose from half, third, fourth, fifth, and mixed-width configurations, all responsive by default.
- Standalone CSS — The plugin loads its own column styles and does not require the Genesis Framework or any parent theme.
- Fifths Support — Add five even columns using the
[one-fifth-first]and[one-fifth]shortcodes, a feature not available in the original Genesis classes. - Custom CSS Classes — Apply your own class names to any individual column shortcode for further styling control.
- Utility Shortcodes — Three helper shortcodes assist with clearing floats and creating full-width sections within column rows.
- One-Button Editor Insert — A single “Insert Columns” button in the Classic Editor toolbar opens a dropdown or advanced popup to choose layouts.
- Fully Translatable — Includes a .pot file for localization, making it usable in multilingual sites.
- No Settings Page — Activate the plugin and the button appears; there are no configuration screens to manage.
Who Should Use Genesis Columns Advanced?
This plugin is best suited for site owners who still rely on the Classic Editor and cannot or will not migrate to the Block Editor. If you run a Genesis child theme on an older WordPress installation (tested up to 6.1.10), or if you have existing content built with shortcodes, Genesis Columns Advanced provides a familiar workflow. The 42 layout options give you flexibility for complex page designs without touching code.
The ideal user is someone comfortable with shortcodes and who values a simple, no-frills tool. With 10K+ active installs and a 4.8 rating, the plugin clearly satisfied many users for over a decade. However, the developer’s end-of-life notice means this is a maintenance-only choice. If you are starting a new site or planning a redesign, the native WordPress Columns block is the recommended route. For those asking how to add columns in Genesis WordPress on a legacy site, this plugin still works reliably today.
Installation & Setup
Installation takes under a minute. Search for “Genesis Columns Advanced” in Plugins > Add New, or download the zip from WordPress.org and upload it manually. Once activated, a new “Insert Columns” icon appears in the Classic Editor toolbar. No settings to configure — click the icon, pick a layout from the dropdown or advanced popup, and shortcodes are inserted into your content. The process is beginner-friendly and requires no coding.
Support & Community
Support data for the last two months shows 0 open threads and 0 resolved, resulting in a 0% resolution rate. This reflects the plugin’s end-of-life status; the developer is no longer actively monitoring the forum. The rating record tells a different story: 88% five-star reviews out of 25 total ratings, with zero one-star ratings. This suggests the plugin was historically well-built and stable. Users seeking help with genesis columns shortcode syntax or add column shortcodes genesis child theme setups may still find answers in the existing FAQ and forum threads. For critical issues, the plugin page states that limited support will still be provided, but new feature requests are unlikely to be implemented. If you need the best columns plugin for genesis framework for a new project, consider the native WordPress Columns block instead.
Pros & Cons
- With 10K+ active installs and a 4.8 rating from 25 reviews, it is a trusted and well-tested plugin.
- Offers 42 different responsive column configurations, including fifths, giving users extensive layout flexibility.
- 88% of its 25 ratings are 5-star, with zero 1-star reviews, indicating very high user satisfaction.
- Fully standalone since version 2.0.5, it loads its own CSS and does not require the Genesis Framework, making it usable on any theme.
- Adds only a single button to the editor with no plugin settings to configure, keeping the interface clean and simple.
- The plugin is officially nearing end of life and is no longer actively developed, only receiving critical support.
- It was built for the Classic Editor and is not needed in the block editor (Gutenberg), limiting its future usefulness.
- With zero total support threads, there is no public record of resolved issues or community troubleshooting.
- Relies on shortcodes rather than native blocks, which may be less intuitive for users accustomed to modern WordPress editing.
Technical Details
- Requires WordPress
- 3.6+
- Tested up to WP
- 6.1.10
- First Released
- 2015 (11+ years)
- Support (last 2 months)
- 0 threads
Feature Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Genesis Columns Advanced is completely free and available on WordPress.org. It has been downloaded by over 10K+ users and is rated 4.8/5 based on 25 ratings.
The plugin has over 10K+ active installs according to WordPress.org data. It has been downloaded by many more users since its first release in 2015.
Genesis Columns Advanced requires WordPress 3.6 or higher to function properly. It has been tested up to WordPress 6.1.10, ensuring compatibility with recent versions.
No, the plugin is nearing the end of its life and is no longer being actively developed. The last update was on Jun 23, 2024, and the current version is 2.0.5.
The plugin facts do not specify a minimum PHP version requirement. However, since it requires WordPress 3.6+, it should work with most modern PHP versions supported by that WordPress release.
Support is limited but still available for critical issues in the WordPress.org forum, with 0 support threads in the last 2 months. The plugin author, Nick Diego, provides critical support despite no active development.
Yes, beginners can easily use the plugin by clicking the 'Insert Columns' button in the Classic Editor to add shortcodes. It offers 42 different responsive column configurations without needing to write code manually.
Key features include 42 responsive column configurations, support for fifths (5 even columns), custom CSS classes, and three utility shortcodes. The plugin also loads its own CSS and is fully translatable with a .pot file included.