Formidable Geolocation 3.0 Beta 9: Embedded WPGeo and Safer Upgrades

When we introduced Formidable Geolocation 3.0 Beta, we announced a complete rebuild powered by WPGeo Framework, along with new fields including Distance & Duration, Nearest Locations, Drawing Tools, and Drawing Shape.

Formidable Geolocation 3.0.0-beta9 continues that work with two major improvements: WPGeo Framework is now included directly inside the plugin, and a dedicated migration system provides a safer upgrade path from Formidable Geolocation 2.3.1.

Customers no longer need to install or maintain WPGeo Framework as a separate WordPress plugin. The migration system also protects existing settings, forms, field configurations, and saved location data as they are converted to the new 3.0 structure.

Beta 9 additionally includes important security and reliability improvements for the Nearest Locations field and further refinements to the shared foundation that powers Formidable Geolocation.

This remains a beta release. Please back up your site and test the update on a staging or development environment before updating a production website.

WPGeo Framework Is Now Built In

WPGeo Framework provides the shared foundation used by Formidable Geolocation and our other compatible WPGeo-powered plugins.

In earlier Formidable Geolocation 3.0 beta releases, WPGeo Framework was installed and updated as a separate WordPress plugin. Starting with Beta 9, WPGeo Framework 1.0.0-beta27 is included directly with Formidable Geolocation.

For customers, this creates a simpler installation and update process:

Install and update Formidable Geolocation as one plugin.
No separate WPGeo Framework download is required.
No additional framework plugin needs to be maintained.
Compatible WPGeo-powered plugins can share the same framework foundation.

This change does not remove any of the benefits of the shared framework. It simply places the required framework directly inside the plugin package so WordPress can load a compatible version automatically.

What Happens to the Standalone WPGeo Framework Plugin?

Existing sites that already have the standalone WPGeo Framework plugin are handled through a safe transition process.

On an ordinary single-site WordPress installation, if the separate framework plugin is no longer required, it may be automatically deactivated and marked as safe to delete.

The standalone WPGeo Framework plugin is not automatically deleted. You remain in control of removing it from your site.

WordPress multisite installations are handled more conservatively. A network-active framework plugin will not be blindly deactivated because another site or plugin on the network may still depend on it.

If you use more than one WPGeo-powered plugin, they can share one compatible framework foundation without requiring you to manage multiple framework installations.

Safer Upgrades from Formidable Geolocation 2.3.1

Formidable Geolocation 3.0 introduces a dedicated migration system designed to carry existing plugin data into the new version without requiring customers to rebuild their forms.

The migration process has been verified using a complete upgrade from the previously published Formidable Geolocation 2.3.1 release to Formidable Geolocation 3.0.

During the upgrade, the migration system preserves and converts:

Global plugin settings used by the existing installation.
License information and feature access associated with the plugin.
Existing forms and form-level geolocation settings.
Legacy geolocation fields and field options used by existing forms.
Repeater and nested-field configurations.
Existing entry values and saved Coordinates data.
Saved Map values and map snapshots.
Existing Directions values and related field configurations.
Legacy GEO my WP integration settings required by existing workflows.

Older configurations that provided Directions functionality through another geolocation field can also be converted into the dedicated Directions and Directions Panel fields used by version 3.0.

This helps existing forms adopt the new field structure while preserving their configured routing behavior and saved data.

Designed for Larger Sites and Incomplete Migrations

Existing entry data is migrated in controlled batches so sites with many entries do not need to process every saved value during a single request.

If more work remains after a batch is processed, the migration can continue during a later request instead of being marked complete prematurely.

If an error prevents part of the migration from completing, the process can retry rather than incorrectly treating the upgrade as finished.

The migration is also designed to be safe to run again. Once settings, fields, and entry values have been converted, another migration check does not repeatedly modify the same data.

If a migration needs attention, Formidable Geolocation can notify an administrator without unnecessarily preventing the public-facing website from continuing to load.

Migration Testing

The migration process has been tested with existing plugin settings, license data, forms, geolocation fields, repeaters, nested fields, entry values, Coordinates, Map data, Directions values, and frontend form output.

Testing also confirmed that migrated forms continue to appear in the Formidable Forms builder and render on the frontend after the upgrade.

The obsolete Google Maps China endpoint setting is intentionally not carried forward because it is no longer part of the current Formidable Geolocation configuration.

Although the migration has been extensively tested, every WordPress site can contain different forms, field combinations, custom code, and stored entry data. A complete backup and staging test remain essential before upgrading a production website.

Nearest Locations Security and Reliability Improvements

The Nearest Locations field finds and displays the closest matching locations relative to an address, coordinate, or selected map location.

Beta 9 strengthens how public Nearest Locations requests are processed, particularly when locations are loaded from a database.

Public requests no longer provide the database configuration used to locate records. Instead, Formidable Geolocation resolves the trusted Nearest Locations field settings saved by the site administrator before querying available locations.

This keeps public requests within the configuration established in the Formidable Forms builder rather than accepting raw location-source settings from the browser.

Additional improvements include:

Improved manual-location parsing for supported location-list formats.
Stronger coordinate validation before locations are processed.
More consistent zero-distance results when the origin and destination represent the same location.
Better enforcement of result limits configured by the administrator.
Refined Google Routes Matrix options for travel-based nearest-location calculations.
Short-lived server-side caching for identical Matrix requests.

The short-lived cache can prevent unnecessary repeat requests when the same calculation is requested more than once within a brief period. This can improve efficiency while preserving the configured location and routing behavior.

These are proactive security and reliability improvements. They do not indicate a known exploit, customer-data compromise, or emergency security event.

A More Consistent Shared Foundation

Embedding WPGeo Framework helps ensure that Formidable Geolocation is distributed with the framework functionality it requires.

The shared framework allows compatible products to use the same underlying geolocation components while each plugin continues to provide integrations and workflows designed for its supported platform.

For Formidable Geolocation customers, this means fewer separate components to manage and a more predictable update process as development of version 3.0 continues.

The Distance & Duration, Nearest Locations, Drawing Tools, Drawing Shape, geocoding, mapping, and routing features introduced during the 3.0 beta cycle remain part of the product according to the plan allocations described in the original beta announcement.

Existing plan names, feature allocations, and site allowances are not changed by this framework and migration update.

Google API Reminder

Formidable Geolocation 3.0 uses the current Google Maps Platform services, including:

Places API (New) for relevant address and place functionality.
Routes API for routing, Distance & Duration, and relevant Nearest Locations Matrix calculations.

Please confirm that the required services are enabled in your Google Cloud Console before testing the beta.

For instructions, see our Google Maps API setup guide.

Google Maps Platform usage may consume API quota and can result in charges from Google depending on your account, configuration, and usage.

What to Check Before Updating

Before installing Formidable Geolocation 3.0 Beta 9:

Back up your website and database.
Install the update on a staging or development site first.
Confirm that existing plugin and license settings remain available.
Review important forms and their geolocation field settings after migration.
Test existing entries, Coordinates values, Maps, and Directions data.
Test form submissions and newly saved location values.
Verify repeaters, nested fields, calculations, conditional logic, Dynamic Fields, and custom integrations that depend on location data.
Confirm that Places API (New) and Routes API are enabled where required.
On multisite, review the network status of the standalone WPGeo Framework plugin before making manual changes.

If your site uses custom PHP or JavaScript integrations, test those customizations carefully before updating production.

Download Formidable Geolocation 3.0 Beta 9

Formidable Geolocation 3.0 Beta 9 provides a simpler one-plugin installation, a dedicated migration path for existing 2.3.1 customers, and stronger security and reliability for Nearest Locations workflows.

Existing customers can download the beta from their account under File Downloads.

This is still beta software. Please use staging, create a complete backup, and verify your important workflows before considering an update to a production website.

Your feedback continues to help us prepare Formidable Geolocation 3.0 for its stable release. Please report any bugs, compatibility problems, or unexpected behavior through our support page.

Formidable Geolocation 3.0 Beta: Rebuilt from the Ground Up with WPGeo Framework

We are excited to announce the beta release of Formidable Geolocation 3.0 Beta. This major update has been rebuilt from the ground up using our new WPGeo Framework, delivering faster performance, improved stability, and support for powerful new features.

The beta is now available for testing. We strongly recommend installing it on a development or staging site before updating a live environment.

Introducing the WPGeo Framework

At the heart of this release is the new WPGeo Framework, a modern, modular geolocation engine shared across all our plugins.

Unified foundation – A single codebase powering all WPGeo products.
Faster development – Easier maintenance and quicker release cycles.
Improved reliability – Designed for performance, scalability, and long-term stability.
Feature parity – New features roll out across all supported form builders simultaneously.

Performance Improvements & Full Rewrite

Formidable Geolocation 3.0 has been completely rewritten for cleaner architecture, faster load times, and more predictable field behavior. Many longstanding issues have been resolved as part of this rebuild.

Updated Google API Requirements

The plugin now uses the modern Places API and the new Routes API (replacing the deprecated Directions API). Ensure both APIs are enabled in your Google Cloud Console for everything to function correctly.

For help setting up your API keys, see our updated API setup guide.

Installation Notes

Version 3.0 requires the WPGeo Framework.

If the framework is already installed, the plugin activates normally.
If it’s missing, you’ll see a one-click prompt to install it automatically.

No manual uploads or extra configuration are required.

New in Formidable Geolocation 3.0

Formidable Geolocation 3.0 introduces several powerful new fields and mapping capabilities, all built on the new WPGeo Framework. These features expand what your forms can do, making geolocation faster, more flexible, and easier to customize than ever before.

Distance & Duration Field

A dedicated field built specifically for retrieving travel distance and estimated duration between two geolocation inputs. Unlike the full Directions Field, which loads the complete routing system, this field focuses entirely on fast, efficient distance calculations using the Google Routes API (Matrix) or a Haversine fallback.

Previously, distance calculations were possible through the Directions Field, but required loading route steps, polylines, and UI components you may not need. The new Distance & Duration Field is lighter, faster, and far easier to configure when your goal is simply to retrieve distance and travel time.

Optimized for fast distance & duration computation (Matrix API or Haversine)
Simpler setup, no route UI, steps, or extra configuration
Supports Address, Coordinates, and Map Fields for origin & destination
Outputs raw meters, formatted distance, and readable duration text
Ideal for delivery fees, logistics, scheduling, radius checks, and cost-per-mile workflows

If all you need is distance and travel time, without the full directions system, this field offers the simplest and most efficient solution.

Nearest Locations Field

Instantly find and display the closest matching locations based on a user’s selected address, coordinates, or map point. Powered by the Google Routes API Matrix with Haversine pre-filtering, this field delivers fast, accurate, ranked results directly inside your form.

Flexible data sources - load locations from any database table with latitude/longitude columns, or paste manual lists using JSON, CSV, or pipe-delimited formats
Distance-accurate sorting via Matrix API or Haversine fallback
Display results inside the form or on a connected map field with marker highlighting
Auto-select or user-select the nearest match, with optional output to other fields
Works with repeaters, conditional logic, dynamic fields, and calculations
Perfect for store locators, pickup points, service-area matching, delivery hubs, and provider assignment

Drawing Tools & Drawing Shape Fields

Give users powerful on-map drawing capabilities inside Formidable Forms, including editable shapes, real-time measurements, intuitive styling, and full shape data storage with each submission.

Draw and edit shapes visually - polygons, circles, rectangles, lines, points, and freehand shapes
Live measurements - area, perimeter, radius, center, bounds, and length update instantly
Predefined or user-drawn shapes - preload a shape using the Drawing Shape Field or let users draw freely
Full GeoJSON output - ideal for calculations, zone logic, and custom workflows

These tools consist of two complementary fields:

Drawing Tools Field - a full multi-shape editor with labels, colors, undo/redo, import/export (GeoJSON), and advanced editing powered by TerraDraw.
Drawing Shape Field - a synced single-shape field ideal for predefined zones or workflows requiring one editable shape. All metrics and geometry are automatically stored in hidden inputs.

Together, these fields unlock workflows like service-area selection, delivery zone mapping, boundary editing, pricing by area or radius, geofencing, and territory management.

Updated Plans & Licensing Changes

With the release of Formidable Geolocation 3.0 beta, the plugin now uses a modernized licensing structure that better matches feature levels. These new plans are already live.

Here is the new plan lineup:

Starter – Geocoder, Address, Coordinates, Map, Locator Button, IP Address Support, Dynamic Location Field.
Pro – Everything in Starter + Directions Field, Distance & Duration Field, Single Entry Map Shortcode, Mashup Map Shortcode.
Agency – Everything in Pro + Nearest Locations Field, Drawing Tools Field, Drawing Shape Field.

How Existing Plans Align with the New Feature Structure

Your existing plan name and site limits remain exactly the same. Only the features included have been upgraded to match the new structure.

Personal – Now includes all features from the Standard plan plus the new Directions field that replaces that directions feature that was built into the Geocoder field.
Extended – Now includes all features from the new Pro plan.
Developer – Now includes all features available in the new Agency plan.

No action is required, these upgraded features are available automatically.

Important Notes

Always test on a staging site before upgrading a live website.
Back up your site prior to installing the beta.
Please report any bugs or unexpected behavior.
If you rely on custom code or third-party add-ons, test compatibility before going live.

Download the Beta

Ready to explore Formidable Geolocation 3.0? Download the beta and experience the improved performance, expanded field set, and new WPGeo Framework.

Existing customers can download the beta from their account under File Downloads.

Not a Formidable Geolocation customer yet? You can review the available plans and purchase a license on the Formidable Geolocation pricing page.

This is still beta software. Please use staging, create a complete backup, and verify your important workflows before considering an update to a production website.