When WordPress users need to increase social engagement and drive viral growth for their digital stores, the EDD Social Discounts Addon offers a powerful incentive-based approach that transforms casual browsers into brand ambassadors. This specialized extension for Easy Digital Downloads rewards customers with instant discounts when they share your products across social networks, creating a win-win scenario that boosts both sales and visibility.
What Makes EDD Social Discounts Addon Different
Unlike generic social sharing plugins that simply add buttons to your site, the EDD Social Discounts Addon creates a direct connection between social engagement and monetary rewards. The plugin listens for events triggered by social networks in real-time, automatically applying discounts without requiring page refreshes. This seamless experience ensures customers receive immediate gratification for their sharing actions, significantly increasing conversion rates compared to traditional “share for entry” contests or manual discount code distribution.
- Instant discount application through JavaScript event detection
- Native integration with Easy Digital Downloads order tracking
- Dual functionality as both a discount system and standalone sharing tool
EDD Social Discounts Addon Features for WordPress Users
Multi-Platform Social Network Integration
The extension supports major social platforms including Facebook (with Like functionality), Twitter, and LinkedIn. While the plugin historically supported Google+, it currently focuses on the most active networks for digital product marketing. Notably, the Facebook Like feature allows customers to receive discounts simply by liking your product pages, while Twitter and LinkedIn sharing options cater to professional and consumer audiences respectively. Due to Twitter API changes in November 2015, discounts are applied when users click the Tweet button rather than upon actual publication, ensuring functionality despite platform limitations.
Flexible Shortcode System
By default, sharing buttons appear automatically after content on all Easy Digital Downloads products. However, the included shortcode provides granular control over placement, allowing you to position social discount buttons on specific posts, pages, or even individual products. The shortcode accepts custom parameters including specific post/page/download IDs, custom tweet messages, sharing titles, and sharing messages. This flexibility enables you to create targeted campaigns where different products offer varying discount amounts or where specific landing pages highlight sharing incentives.
Comprehensive Tracking and Analytics
One standout feature is the ability to view exactly which products, posts, or pages were shared before purchase directly from EDD’s order details screen. This tracking capability provides valuable insights into which content drives the most social engagement and which platforms generate actual sales. For store owners analyzing customer behavior alongside review data, this information helps optimize marketing strategies and identify your most viral products.
Customization and Localization
The plugin offers extensive customization options including custom button styles for each social network, personalized thank you messages displayed after sharing, and fully translatable interface elements. Store owners can customize the sharing title and description that appears when users share content, ensuring brand consistency across social platforms. The fully localized codebase makes it ideal for international digital stores serving non-English speaking markets.
How to Install EDD Social Discounts Addon
Quick Installation Process
- Purchase and download the addon from the official Easy Digital Downloads website
- Navigate to Plugins → Add New in your WordPress dashboard
- Click Upload Plugin and select the downloaded ZIP file
- Click Install Now → Activate
- Navigate to Downloads → Settings → Extensions to configure your social discount settings
For detailed configuration guidance, refer to the official Social Discounts setup documentation.
Who Should Use EDD Social Discounts Addon?
Digital Product Creators and Software Developers
If you sell WordPress plugins, themes, software licenses, or digital tools through Easy Digital Downloads, this addon creates natural viral loops. When developers or agencies purchase your products and share them with their networks, you reach highly targeted professional audiences. The discount incentive encourages immediate sharing during the purchase decision phase, particularly effective when combined with affiliate commission structures for maximum reach.
Online Course Creators and Membership Sites
Educational content providers benefit significantly from social proof marketing. When students share their course enrollments or membership subscriptions, it validates the quality of your content to their peers. The EDD Social Discounts Addon works particularly well for limited-time course launches or membership drives, where the combination of social proof and discount incentives creates urgency. This approach often outperforms traditional advertising for recurring revenue models by building community around your educational products.
EDD Social Discounts Addon vs Alternatives
| Feature | EDD Social Discounts Addon | Generic Social Sharing Plugins |
|---|---|---|
| Discount Integration | Native EDD discount code automation | Requires manual code creation/distribution |
| Order Tracking | Shares visible in order details | No e-commerce integration |
| Platform Support | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn | Variable, often 20+ networks |
| Technical Approach | JavaScript event detection | Simple button redirects |
While general social sharing plugins like AddToAny offer broader network support, they lack the e-commerce specific functionality that makes EDD Social Discounts Addon valuable for digital stores. The deep integration with Easy Digital Downloads’ order management system provides business intelligence that generic alternatives cannot match.
EDD Social Discounts Addon Pricing
The EDD Social Discounts Addon is available as part of the Easy Digital Downloads Personal Pass or higher-tier plans. As a premium extension, it requires an active Easy Digital Downloads license. The addon is currently at version 2.0.5, receiving regular updates to maintain compatibility with WordPress core and EDD updates. For current pricing and bundle options, visit the official Easy Digital Downloads pricing page.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Instant discount application creates immediate customer satisfaction
- Detailed order tracking shows which content drives social sales
- Flexible shortcode system allows precise placement control
- Can function as sharing tool without discounts for pure social proof
- Fully translatable for international digital stores
❌ Cons
- Requires Easy Digital Downloads core plugin (not standalone)
- Twitter integration applies discount on click, not actual tweet publication
- Limited to three major social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)
- No support for modern platforms like TikTok or Instagram
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EDD Social Discounts Addon?
The EDD Social Discounts Addon is a premium WordPress extension for Easy Digital Downloads that automatically applies discount codes to customers who share your products on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, incentivizing viral marketing for your digital store.
How does the discount application work technically?
The plugin uses JavaScript to listen for social sharing events triggered by the networks’ APIs. When a share or like is detected, the discount is instantly applied to the customer’s cart via AJAX without requiring a page refresh, creating a seamless user experience.
Can I use EDD Social Discounts without offering actual discounts?
Yes, you can disable the discount functionality entirely and use the plugin purely as a social sharing tool. This is useful for building social proof or encouraging shares for non-monetary benefits like content unlocking or newsletter signups.
Which social networks does the addon currently support?
The addon supports Facebook (including the Like feature), Twitter (discount applies on button click due to API limitations), and LinkedIn sharing. Note that Google+ support was discontinued when Google shut down their social network.
Is EDD Social Discounts Addon compatible with all WordPress themes?
The addon is designed to work with any properly coded WordPress theme that supports Easy Digital Downloads. The customizable button styles and shortcode implementation ensure compatibility with both standard themes and page builders like Elementor or Beaver Builder.
How can I track which products generate the most social shares?
The plugin integrates with EDD’s order details page, showing exactly which product, post, or page was shared before each purchase. This data helps identify your most viral content and optimize your social media marketing strategy accordingly.
Final Verdict
The EDD Social Discounts Addon delivers exceptional value for Easy Digital Downloads users seeking to leverage social proof and viral marketing. Its seamless integration with EDD’s order management system and instant discount application mechanism set it apart from generic social sharing solutions. While the limited network support (excluding Instagram and TikTok) may require complementary marketing strategies, the addon excels at converting social engagement into measurable sales for digital product stores. It’s particularly well-suited for software developers, course creators, and membership site owners who sell through Easy Digital Downloads and want to transform satisfied customers into active promoters.
