Horizontal scrolling announcements

What is Horizontal scrolling announcements?

Horizontal scrolling announcements is a focused WordPress plugin that creates a continuous ticker-style text reel on your site. Developed by gopiplus, this tool has been available for 8 years. It uses JQuery Marquee script to move content from one end of a container to the other. As of its latest update on Jun 19, 2026, the plugin has accumulated 8K+ active installs. Its current version is 2.6. The plugin holds a 3.2/5 rating from 10 user reviews, a figure that reflects a sharp divide in user experience: 50% of raters gave it 0% assigned one star.

The primary function is simple. You paste text into the plugin’s settings panel, and it scrolls horizontally (or vertically) across your page. It is a classic implementation of a scrolling text WordPress plugin. The developer provides a live demo and documentation on their personal website. The plugin is free and targets users who need a lightweight, no-frills solution for displaying announcements without building custom code.

Key Features of Horizontal scrolling announcements

• Free Plugin with No Upsells: The entire feature set is available at no cost. There are no premium tiers or hidden fees for basic functionality.
• Configurable Scroll Speed: You control how fast the text moves. The shortcode includes a speed parameter, allowing fine-tuned pacing from slow crawls to rapid reels.
• Multiple Scroll Directions: The plugin supports left, right, up, and down movement. The direction attribute in the shortcode lets you change orientation per instance.
• Pause on Mouse Over: When a visitor hovers over the scrolling area, the animation halts. This improves readability and prevents the content from being a distraction.
• Start and Expiration Date Controls: You can set a specific start date and an expiration date for each announcement. This is useful for time-sensitive promotions or event notices.
• Shortcode and PHP Snippet Support: Use [hsas-shortcode] in posts or pages. For theme developers, the plugin supports echo do_shortcode for direct template integration.
• Lightweight and Browser-Compatible: The plugin relies on a mature JQuery Marquee script. It works across all major browsers without heavy dependencies.
• Grouping for Multiple Announcements: The shortcode includes a group parameter. This allows you to organize different scrolling items into separate groups for display on different pages.

Who Should Use Horizontal scrolling announcements?

This plugin is built for site owners who need a basic, functional answer to the question “how to add scrolling text in WordPress” without learning JavaScript. It suits beginners running personal blogs, small business sites, or community notice boards. The setup requires no coding beyond copying a shortcode. With 8K+ active installs, it clearly serves a niche of users who prioritize simplicity over polish. The 50% five-star rating suggests many find it perfectly adequate for their needs.

However, the 40% one-star rating indicates significant pain points for others. Users who require modern styling options, responsive design for mobile devices, or reliable support may struggle. The plugin’s age (8 years) and its reliance on an older JQuery Marquee library mean it is best suited for sites running WordPress 5.0+ and PHP 5.0+ — environments that may already be outdated. If you are a developer building a client site with strict accessibility or mobile-first requirements, this is likely not the right choice. For a simple, static horizontal scrolling text WordPress plugin on a legacy site, it works as advertised.

Installation & Setup

Installation follows the standard WordPress process. From your dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, search for “Horizontal scrolling announcements,” and click Install Now. Once activated, you configure the announcement text and appearance from the settings menu. The plugin is beginner-friendly; you do not need to edit template files. For posts, you insert the provided shortcode [hsas-shortcode group="" speed="10" direction="left" gap="50"] directly into the editor. The FAQ section on the plugin page addresses how to change scrolling speed, direction, and expiration dates, though the answers are not detailed.

Support & Community

The support data paints a concerning picture. In the last 2 months, the plugin’s WordPress.org forum shows 0 open threads and 0 resolved threads, yielding a 0% resolution rate. This is not a sign of perfection — it likely indicates that users have stopped filing tickets because they receive no response. The developer, gopiplus, has not engaged with the community recently. Combined with the 40% one-star rating, this suggests that if you encounter a bug or need configuration help, you are on your own. The plugin is essentially a static code drop. For a free jquery marquee WordPress plugin, this may be acceptable to users who can troubleshoot independently. For anyone requiring active maintenance or prompt bug fixes, this is a significant risk.