Overview #

The Episode Description block displays the description of your podcast episode with intelligent sync capabilities and comprehensive styling options. It automatically pulls content from your RSS feed while allowing manual customization when needed. This block is essential for sharing episode summaries, show notes, and detailed information about your podcast content.

Key Features #

Smart Sync System #

• Automatic RSS Sync: Content updates when your RSS feed changes
• Manual Override: Edit content locally while maintaining sync option
• Sync Status Indicator: Visual feedback on current sync state
• One-Click Resync: Restore RSS content at any time

Content Management #

• Rich Text Support: Full HTML content from RSS feeds
• WYSIWYG Editing: Visual editor for manual content
• Content Preservation: Your edits are saved and protected
• Fallback Messages: Graceful handling when no content exists

Responsive Styling #

• Spacing Controls: Margin and padding per device
• Sizing Options: Width, height, and constraints
• Color Management: Background and text colors
• Typography: Font size and line height controls

Display Features #

• Device Visibility: Show/hide on specific screens
• Sticky Positioning: Keep content visible while scrolling
• Print Control: Manage print visibility
• Screen Reader Options: Accessibility settings

Understanding Sync Modes #

Synced with RSS #

What it means: Content automatically updates from your RSS feed

When to use:

• You want consistency across platforms
• RSS feed is your source of truth
• No platform-specific customization needed
• Automatic updates are desired

Visual indicators:

• Green sync icon in settings
• “Synced with RSS” status message
• No “Restore from RSS” button (already synced)

Manually Edited #

What it means: You’ve customized the content locally

When to use:

• Adding platform-specific information
• Including internal links or CTAs
• Formatting for your WordPress site
• Creating unique landing page content

Visual indicators:

• Yellow status icon
• “Manually Edited” status message
• “Restore from RSS” button available

Using the Episode Description Block #

Adding the Block #

1. Ensure an episode is selected via Episode Selector
2. Click the + button in the block editor
3. Search for “Episode Description”
4. Click to insert the block
5. Content loads automatically if synced

Basic Configuration #

1. Review Sync Status: Check the Sync Settings panel
2. Edit if Needed: Click to edit content directly
3. Style the Block: Use responsive controls
4. Preview Changes: Switch between devices
5. Save Your Work: Update post to preserve

The Settings Panels #

Sync Settings #

• Current Status: Shows sync state
• Status Description: Explains current mode
• Restore Button: Returns to RSS content
• Automatic Detection: Tracks manual edits

Typography #

• Font Size: Responsive text sizing
• Line Height: Control text spacing
• Alignment: Left, center, right, justify

Spacing #

• Margin: Outer spacing control
• Padding: Inner content spacing
• Linked Sides: Toggle for uniform spacing
• Device-Specific: Different per breakpoint

Sizing #

• Width/Height: Container dimensions
• Min/Max Constraints: Boundary limits
• Auto Sizing: Leave empty for content-based

Colors #

• Background: Container background color
• Text: Content text color
• Hover States: Interactive color changes
• Theme Integration: Use site color palette

Display #

• Visibility: Per-device show/hide
• Sticky: Fixed positioning options
• Z-index: Layer stacking order
• Transitions: Smooth state changes

Content Editing Workflows #

Maintaining RSS Sync #

1. Don’t Edit: Leave content untouched
2. Updates Flow: RSS changes appear automatically
3. Preview Only: Check appearance without editing
4. Style Freely: Styling doesn’t affect sync

Making Manual Edits #

1. Click to Edit: Select the content area
2. Make Changes: Edit text, add formatting
3. Status Updates: Automatically marked as edited
4. Save Consciously: Changes are permanent

Returning to RSS Content #

1. Open Sync Settings: In block sidebar
2. Click Restore: “Restore from RSS” button
3. Confirm Action: Content will be replaced
4. Sync Resumes: Automatic updates return

Common Use Cases #

Standard Episode Page #

Sync: Enabled (RSS content)
Typography: 16px font, 1.6 line height
Spacing: 20px bottom margin
Width: 100% with max-width: 800px
Colors: Inherit from theme

Custom Landing Page #

Sync: Disabled (manual content)
Custom Content: Promotional text, CTAs
Background: Brand color with padding
Border: Subtle border with radius
Shadow: Light elevation

Sidebar Description #

Width: 100% (container constrained)
Font Size: 14px (smaller for sidebar)
Padding: 15px all sides
Background: Light gray
Manual Edit: Shortened version

Featured Episode #

Sync: Manual (customized intro)
Font Size: 18px (larger for emphasis)
Background: Gradient or image
Padding: 30px for breathing room
Sticky: Top position on scroll

Styling Best Practices #

Typography Guidelines #

• Readability First: 16px minimum on mobile
• Line Height: 1.5-1.8 for body text
• Contrast: WCAG AA compliance minimum
• Responsive Scaling: Larger on desktop

Spacing Recommendations #

• Vertical Rhythm: Consistent bottom margins
• Paragraph Spacing: Built into content
• Container Padding: 20-30px on mobile
• Breathing Room: Don’t crowd content

Color Strategies #

• Theme Consistency: Use site colors
• Background Subtlety: Light tints work well
• Text Contrast: Dark on light, light on dark
• Hover Feedback: Subtle color shifts

Responsive Patterns #

• Mobile: Full width, smaller fonts
• Tablet: Moderate sizing adjustments
• Desktop: Optimal reading width (65-75ch)
• Test Content: Various description lengths

Advanced Techniques #

Custom Formatting #

When manually editing:

1. Use Toolbar: Bold, italic, links
2. Add Lists: Bullet points for timestamps
3. Include Links: Internal cross-references
4. Embed Media: Images or videos
5. Structure Content: Headings for sections

Performance Optimization #

• Lazy Loading: For embedded images
• Excerpt Length: Consider mobile users
• Caching: RSS content cached efficiently
• Minimal Styles: Avoid inline complexity

Accessibility Features #

• Semantic HTML: Proper heading structure
• Alt Text: For embedded images
• Link Context: Descriptive link text
• Color Contrast: Test with tools
• Screen Reader: Test announcements

Integration Patterns #

• With Player: Place below/beside player
• With Title: Natural flow from title
• With Image: Side-by-side layouts
• With CTA: Add subscribe buttons

Troubleshooting #

Content Not Showing #

Check these issues:

1. Episode Selected: Use Episode Selector first
2. RSS Feed: Verify feed has descriptions
3. Sync Status: Check if manually edited
4. Cache: Clear WordPress cache

Sync Not Working #

Common causes:

1. Manual Edits: Any edit breaks sync
2. RSS Issues: Feed temporarily unavailable
3. Caching: Old content cached
4. Permissions: Check user capabilities

Styling Problems #

Solutions:

1. Theme Conflicts: Check CSS specificity
2. Inheritance: Review device settings
3. Preview Mode: Ensure correct device
4. Cache Again: Clear all caches

Performance Issues #

Optimizations:

1. Content Length: Consider excerpts
2. Image Sizes: Optimize embedded media
3. Lazy Load: Enable for images
4. Simplify: Reduce complex formatting

Frequently Asked Questions #

Q: Will my edits be lost if I update the plugin?
A: No, manual edits are saved in the WordPress database and persist through updates.

Q: Can I use HTML in the description?
A: Yes, the block supports rich HTML content from RSS feeds and manual editing.

Q: How often does synced content update?
A: Content updates when the RSS feed cache refreshes (typically every few hours).

Q: Can I partially sync content?
A: No, it’s either fully synced or fully manual. Consider using multiple blocks.

Q: What happens if my RSS feed goes offline?
A: Existing content remains displayed. The block shows cached content until feed returns.

Q: Can I style differently per device?
A: Yes, all styling options support responsive settings for desktop, tablet, and mobile.

Q: How do I add timestamps or chapters?
A: Edit manually and format as a list, or include in your RSS feed description.

Q: Can multiple descriptions exist on one page?
A: The block is set to single instance per post to maintain consistency.

Best Practices Summary #

1. Decide Sync Strategy: RSS sync or manual per use case
2. Plan Responsive: Consider mobile reading experience
3. Maintain Readability: Appropriate fonts and spacing
4. Test Thoroughly: All devices and content lengths
5. Document Decisions: Note why manual edits made
6. Regular Reviews: Check sync status periodically
7. Accessibility First: Ensure content is accessible

Getting Help #

If you need assistance with the Episode Description block:

1. Review this guide for common solutions
2. Check the Sync Settings Guide
3. Visit our support forum
4. Contact support with specific questions

Remember: The Episode Description block bridges your RSS content with WordPress flexibility. Use sync for consistency or manual editing for customization—the choice is yours!