Shortcodes in this guide are displayed with spaces inside the brackets to prevent them from running on this Help Center page. When using a shortcode on your own website, remove those spaces.
ByTheWeb AI lets you display the FAQ data saved with your WordPress content directly on the frontend.
You can display the FAQ in two ways:
- With the
[ btwgeo_faq ]shortcode - With the dedicated FAQ (BTW) Elementor Widget
Both display methods use the FAQ Question and Answer data already stored with the current WordPress content.
Displaying existing FAQ content does not use AI credits.
For the complete FAQ creation and Schema workflow, see:
For the product overview, see:
Important Note About the Shortcodes in This Guide
For example, this guide displays the FAQ shortcode as:
[ btwgeo_faq ]
When using it on your website, remove the spaces immediately inside the brackets.
The same rule applies to all shortcode examples below.
What Is the FAQ Shortcode?
The current ByTheWeb AI FAQ shortcode is displayed in this guide as:
[ btwgeo_faq ]
Place the shortcode in supported WordPress content where you want the FAQ saved for the current page or post to appear.
The shortcode reads the FAQ data associated with the content currently being viewed and renders its Questions and Answers on the frontend.
Is the Old Shortcode Still Supported?
Yes.
The older shortcode is displayed in this guide as:
[ btw_faq ]
It is still registered for backward compatibility.
Both shortcodes currently use the same FAQ rendering function.
For new implementations, use:
[ btwgeo_faq ]
Remember to remove the spaces inside the brackets when using it on your website.
Does the Shortcode Use AI Credits?
No.
The shortcode only displays FAQ data already stored in WordPress.
Using it does not send an AI request and does not consume AI credits.
AI credits are only relevant if you choose to generate FAQ content with ByTheWeb AI.
For the generation workflow, see:
Where Does the Shortcode Get Its FAQ Content?
On a singular WordPress content item, the shortcode reads the FAQ data stored for the current post.
The FAQ data is stored in:
_btwai_faq_schema
When used on a supported taxonomy archive, such as a Category, Tag, or another taxonomy where FAQ data has been saved through ByTheWeb GEO, the shortcode can read the FAQ data stored for the currently queried taxonomy term.
The shortcode therefore displays FAQ data belonging to the current frontend item.
Can I Use the Shortcode to Display FAQ from Another Post?
Not with the current shortcode attributes.
The shortcode does not currently provide a post_id or source-selection attribute.
It reads FAQ data from the page, post, or taxonomy term currently being viewed.
What Happens If the Current Page Has No FAQ?
If no valid FAQ data exists for the current item, the shortcode returns no visible FAQ output.
It does not insert placeholder questions on the live website.
Basic Shortcode Usage
The simplest usage is displayed in this guide as:
[ btwgeo_faq ]
This uses the global FAQ frontend settings configured in ByTheWeb AI.
Remember to remove the spaces inside the brackets when placing the shortcode on your website.
Where Are the Global Shortcode Settings?
Open:
ByTheWeb AI > Settings > FAQ Settings
Find:
FAQ Frontend Display
This section controls the default appearance of the [ btwgeo_faq ] shortcode.
Which Display Styles Are Available?
The shortcode currently supports three display styles:
- Standard (Open)
- Accordion (One open at a time)
- Toggle (All inside one closed box)
The global default is:
Standard (Open)
Standard Style
The Standard style displays all Questions and Answers directly on the page.
Nothing needs to be opened by the visitor.
Example:
[ btwgeo_faq style="standard" ]
Remember to remove the spaces immediately inside the brackets before using it on your website.
Accordion Style
The Accordion style displays each Question as an expandable item.
Only one FAQ item can be open at a time.
Opening another Question closes the previously opened item.
Example:
[ btwgeo_faq style="accordion" ]
Toggle Style
The Toggle style places the complete FAQ inside one expandable container.
The visitor first sees the main FAQ title.
Opening that container reveals all of the Questions and Answers inside it.
Example:
[ btwgeo_faq style="toggle" ]
Configure the Question HTML Tag
The global FAQ settings include:
Question Title Tag
The available values are:
- H1
- H2
- H3
- H4
- H5
- H6
- P
- DIV
- SPAN
The current default is:
H4
This controls the HTML element used for each FAQ Question when the shortcode is rendered.
Configure the Toggle Title
When the global display style is:
Toggle
additional settings become available.
The first is:
Toggle Title
The current default text is:
Frequently Asked Questions
This is the main title visitors select to open or close the complete FAQ section.
Configure the Toggle Title HTML Tag
Toggle mode also provides:
Toggle Title Tag
The supported values are:
- H1
- H2
- H3
- H4
- H5
- H6
- P
- DIV
- SPAN
The current default is:
H3
Override the Global Settings for One Shortcode
You do not have to use the global settings on every page.
The shortcode supports attributes that let you override the global configuration for an individual shortcode instance.
The supported attributes are:
styleq_tagfaq_titlefaq_tag
style
Controls the frontend display type.
Supported values:
standardaccordiontoggle
Example:
[ btwgeo_faq style="accordion" ]
q_tag
Controls the HTML element used for individual FAQ Questions.
Supported values:
h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, p, div, span
Example:
[ btwgeo_faq style="standard" q_tag="h3" ]
faq_title
Sets the main title used by the Toggle style.
It applies only when:
style="toggle"
Example:
[ btwgeo_faq style="toggle" faq_title="Frequently Asked Questions" ]
faq_tag
Controls the HTML element used for the main Toggle title.
It applies only when:
style="toggle"
Supported values:
h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, p, div, span
Example:
[ btwgeo_faq style="toggle" faq_title="Frequently Asked Questions" faq_tag="h2" ]
Complete Shortcode Examples
Use the global settings:
[ btwgeo_faq ]
Standard FAQ with H3 Questions:
[ btwgeo_faq style="standard" q_tag="h3" ]
Accordion with H3 Questions:
[ btwgeo_faq style="accordion" q_tag="h3" ]
Toggle with H4 Questions and an H2 main title:
[ btwgeo_faq style="toggle" q_tag="h4" faq_title="Frequently Asked Questions" faq_tag="h2" ]
Remember that the spaces immediately inside the brackets are included only to prevent these examples from running on this Help Center page.
Remove those spaces when using the shortcode on your own website.
Do Shortcode Overrides Change the Global Settings?
No.
Attributes used inside an individual shortcode affect that shortcode instance.
They do not change the global FAQ settings stored under:
ByTheWeb AI > Settings > FAQ Settings
This lets you keep one default configuration while using a different display on specific pages.
Does the Shortcode Automatically Add FAQ Schema?
The visible FAQ shortcode and the structured FAQ Schema are related, but they are separate outputs.
The shortcode displays the saved Questions and Answers to visitors.
FAQ structured data is handled by the ByTheWeb FAQ Schema workflow according to the active ByTheWeb plugins and SEO provider.
You do not need to display the shortcode simply to store FAQ Schema.
Likewise, inserting the shortcode does not create new FAQ Questions.
For the structured-data workflow, see:
Can I Use the Shortcode Without an API Key?
Yes.
Displaying existing FAQ data is a local WordPress feature.
You do not need a ByTheWeb API Key merely to use:
[ btwgeo_faq ]
An API Key is required only for supported Cloud AI actions such as automatic FAQ generation.
Does the Shortcode Load Frontend Assets?
When the FAQ shortcode is rendered, ByTheWeb AI loads the frontend stylesheet and script used by the FAQ display.
These assets support the Standard, Accordion, and Toggle frontend behaviors.
The shortcode does not need the FAQ frontend assets on pages where that shortcode is not rendered.
What Is the Elementor FAQ Widget?
ByTheWeb AI includes a dedicated Elementor Widget named:
FAQ (BTW)
When Elementor is active, the Widget is registered under the:
ByTheWeb
Elementor category.
The Widget displays the FAQ data saved for the WordPress post currently being edited or viewed.
Which Plugin Provides the FAQ Elementor Widget?
The FAQ (BTW) Elementor Widget is provided by:
ByTheWeb AI
ByTheWeb GEO uses the same shared FAQ data, so FAQ Questions created or managed through ByTheWeb GEO can be displayed by the ByTheWeb AI Elementor Widget when both plugins are active.
The FAQ Elementor Widget itself is part of ByTheWeb AI.
Do I Need ByTheWeb GEO to Use the FAQ Widget?
No.
The FAQ Widget is a ByTheWeb AI feature and can display FAQ data managed by ByTheWeb AI.
If ByTheWeb GEO is also active, both plugins use the shared FAQ data.
Does the Elementor Widget Use AI Credits?
No.
The Elementor Widget is a display tool.
Adding, styling, or rendering the Widget does not consume AI credits.
Generating new FAQ content with AI is a separate action.
Add the FAQ Widget in Elementor
Open a WordPress page or post with Elementor.
In the Elementor Widget panel, look under:
ByTheWeb
Find:
FAQ (BTW)
Drag the Widget into the desired location on the page.
The Widget reads the FAQ data saved for the current WordPress post.
What Happens If the Post Already Has FAQ Data?
If FAQ data exists for the current post, the Elementor Widget uses those saved Questions and Answers automatically.
You do not enter a separate duplicate FAQ list inside Elementor.
This keeps the frontend design connected to the FAQ data managed in WordPress.
What Happens in Elementor If No FAQ Exists Yet?
When you are editing with Elementor and the current post does not yet contain FAQ data, the Widget displays example FAQ content inside the Elementor editor.
The sample content is provided so you can preview and configure the Widget design.
It is not saved as the post’s real FAQ data.
On the normal frontend, if no FAQ data exists, the Widget outputs no FAQ section.
Does the Elementor Widget Display FAQ from Another Post?
No source selector is provided in the current Widget.
The Widget reads the FAQ stored for the current WordPress post.
It is designed to visually display the current post’s FAQ rather than select a different post as a content source.
Elementor Display Styles
The Elementor FAQ Widget provides the same three general presentation modes:
- Standard
- Accordion
- Toggle
The Widget’s current default is:
Accordion
This is different from the shortcode’s global default, which is Standard.
Standard in Elementor
Standard displays all Questions and Answers openly.
The visitor does not need to expand each Question.
Accordion in Elementor
Accordion lets visitors open individual Questions.
When a new Question is opened, the previously opened Question is closed.
The Widget can also display a selectable icon next to the Question.
Toggle in Elementor
Toggle places the complete FAQ inside one main expandable section.
The Elementor content controls let you configure:
- Toggle Main Title
- Main Title HTML Tag
- Question HTML Tag
- Toggle Icon
Elementor Question HTML Tags
The Widget supports:
- H1
- H2
- H3
- H4
- H5
- H6
- P
- DIV
- SPAN
for the Question HTML element.
The Widget’s current default Question tag is:
H4
Elementor Toggle Main Title
For Toggle mode, the Widget includes:
Toggle Main Title
The current default is:
Frequently Asked Questions
You can change this text separately for each Widget instance.
Elementor Main Title HTML Tag
For Toggle mode, you can also choose the HTML element for the main Toggle title.
Supported values are:
- H1
- H2
- H3
- H4
- H5
- H6
- P
- DIV
- SPAN
The current default is:
H3
Choose the Elementor Toggle Icon
Accordion and Toggle modes include an Elementor:
Icon
control.
You can select the icon displayed beside the expandable Question or main Toggle heading.
The current default uses a downward chevron.
When an item is opened, the Widget visually rotates the icon.
Responsive FAQ Columns
The Elementor FAQ Widget supports responsive columns.
You can configure:
- 1 column
- 2 columns
- 3 columns
The Columns control is responsive, so the layout can be configured differently for Desktop, Tablet, and Mobile.
For example:
- 3 columns on Desktop
- 2 columns on Tablet
- 1 column on Mobile
Configure Column and Row Spacing
The Elementor Style controls include:
- Column Gap
- Row Gap
These controls are responsive.
They let you control the spacing between FAQ items without changing the stored FAQ content.
Style the FAQ Item Boxes
The Widget provides styling controls for the individual FAQ item boxes.
These include:
- Border
- Border Radius
- Box Shadow
The settings apply visually to the Widget and do not alter the underlying FAQ data.
Style the Questions
The Elementor Widget provides dedicated Question styling controls including:
- Typography
- Text Color
- Background Color
- Active Text Color
- Active Background Color
- Padding
- Border
The Active styling is relevant to expandable FAQ states such as Accordion.
Style the Answers
The Answer styling controls include:
- Typography
- Text Color
- Background Color
- Padding
- Border
This lets the Question and Answer areas be styled independently.
Style the Main Toggle Header
When Toggle mode is selected, the Widget provides separate controls for the main Toggle header.
These include:
- Typography
- Normal Text Color
- Normal Background Color
- Active Text Color
- Active Background Color
- Padding
- Border
Style the FAQ Icon
For Accordion and Toggle modes, the Widget also provides icon styling controls.
These include:
- Normal Color
- Active Color
- Size
- Spacing
The icon settings are independent of the actual stored FAQ Questions and Answers.
Do the Elementor Settings Change the Shortcode Settings?
No.
The Elementor Widget has its own per-widget display and style settings.
The global settings under:
ByTheWeb AI > Settings > FAQ Settings
control the [ btwgeo_faq ] shortcode.
They do not automatically control the Elementor Widget.
Likewise, changing the Elementor Widget style does not change the global shortcode settings.
Shortcode or Elementor Widget: Which Should I Use?
Use the shortcode when you want a simple way to insert the FAQ into:
- The WordPress editor
- A shortcode-compatible page builder
- A template or content area that supports WordPress shortcodes
Use the Elementor Widget when you build the page with Elementor and want more visual control directly inside the Elementor interface.
Both options display the same underlying FAQ data for the current content item.
Can I Use Both on the Same Page?
Technically, both display methods read the same FAQ data.
However, placing both on the same page would display the same Questions and Answers twice.
Normally, choose the frontend display method that best fits the page design.
Can I Display FAQ Schema Without Showing the FAQ Visually?
Yes.
Visible FAQ output is optional.
You can maintain FAQ structured data without inserting either the:
[ btwgeo_faq ]
shortcode or the:
FAQ (BTW)
Elementor Widget.
The shortcode and Elementor Widget are frontend presentation tools.
For the structured-data behavior, see:
Can I Display FAQ on a Taxonomy Archive?
The [ btwgeo_faq ] shortcode supports FAQ data stored for the currently viewed taxonomy term.
This can be useful when ByTheWeb GEO is managing FAQ data for a supported Category, Tag, or other enabled taxonomy.
The current ByTheWeb AI Elementor FAQ Widget, however, reads FAQ data from the current WordPress post.
For taxonomy frontend FAQ display, use the shortcode where your WordPress template or content setup supports shortcode rendering.
What Happens If ByTheWeb AI Is Deactivated?
The shortcode and FAQ Elementor Widget described on this page are provided by ByTheWeb AI.
If ByTheWeb AI is deactivated:
- The stored FAQ data is not automatically deleted
- FAQ data managed by ByTheWeb GEO can remain stored
- ByTheWeb GEO can continue its own applicable Schema handling while active
- The ByTheWeb AI FAQ shortcode is no longer registered
- The ByTheWeb AI FAQ Elementor Widget is no longer available
Stored FAQ data is separate from the plugin functionality that displays it.
What Happens If I Remove the Shortcode?
Removing the:
[ btwgeo_faq ]
shortcode from the page removes that visible shortcode output.
It does not delete the FAQ data stored with the post.
It also does not delete the FAQ Schema data.
You can add the shortcode again later and display the same stored FAQ.
What Happens If I Remove the Elementor Widget?
Deleting the FAQ (BTW) Widget from an Elementor layout removes that visible Widget instance.
It does not delete the FAQ Questions and Answers stored with the post.
The FAQ can still be managed through the ByTheWeb FAQ workflow and displayed elsewhere.
Can I Edit FAQ Questions from the Elementor Widget?
The Widget is designed to display and style the saved FAQ data.
The actual FAQ Questions and Answers are managed through the ByTheWeb FAQ management workflow rather than being duplicated as independent Elementor Widget content.
To change the FAQ content itself, edit the saved FAQ for that post.
See:
Why Do I See Example Questions in Elementor?
If the current post has no saved FAQ, ByTheWeb AI provides sample Questions and Answers while Elementor is in edit mode.
These examples exist only to help you design the Widget.
They are not your live FAQ content and are not used on the public page when the post has no stored FAQ.
Why Is the Shortcode Showing Nothing?
Check the following:
- Confirm that FAQ Questions have been saved for the current page, post, or supported taxonomy term.
- Make sure the FAQ changes were saved with Update or Publish.
- Confirm that ByTheWeb AI is active.
- Make sure you removed the spaces shown in this Help Center guide before using the shortcode on your website.
- If using custom attributes, confirm that the attribute values are supported.
For more troubleshooting, see:
Why Is the Elementor Widget Showing Nothing on the Frontend?
The Elementor editor can show example FAQ data when no real FAQ exists.
Those examples are editor previews only.
Before checking the public page, make sure the current WordPress post has real FAQ Questions and Answers saved through the ByTheWeb FAQ workflow.
Does Visible FAQ Display Cost Credits Later?
No.
Once FAQ data exists locally in WordPress, displaying it repeatedly through the shortcode or Elementor Widget does not consume AI credits.
Credits are associated with supported AI-generation actions, not normal frontend rendering.
Recommended Shortcode Workflow
- Create or review the FAQ for the WordPress content.
- Save or update the content.
- Open ByTheWeb AI > Settings > FAQ Settings.
- Choose the global Display Style.
- Select the Question Title Tag.
- Configure Toggle settings if using Toggle mode.
- Copy the shortcode format shown in this guide.
- Remove the spaces immediately inside the opening and closing brackets.
- Insert the resulting shortcode where you want the visible FAQ.
- Use shortcode attributes only when a specific page needs different settings.
- Check the frontend result.
Recommended Elementor Workflow
- Create or review the FAQ for the current WordPress post.
- Save the FAQ data.
- Open the page with Elementor.
- Find the ByTheWeb Widget category.
- Add FAQ (BTW).
- Choose Standard, Accordion, or Toggle.
- Select the appropriate HTML tags.
- Configure the icon when using Accordion or Toggle.
- Choose the responsive column layout.
- Style the Questions, Answers, item boxes, and applicable Toggle controls.
- Preview Desktop, Tablet, and Mobile.
- Update the Elementor page.
Summary
ByTheWeb AI provides two frontend FAQ display methods.
Shortcode:
[ btwgeo_faq ]
The spaces shown above are only for this Help Center guide. Remove them when using the shortcode on your website.
The shortcode:
- Uses the current content item’s stored FAQ
- Supports Posts and applicable taxonomy frontend contexts
- Uses global FAQ display settings by default
- Supports per-shortcode overrides
- Provides Standard, Accordion, and Toggle layouts
- Does not use AI credits
Elementor Widget:
FAQ (BTW)
The Widget:
- Uses the current post’s stored FAQ
- Provides Standard, Accordion, and Toggle layouts
- Supports responsive 1, 2, or 3 column layouts
- Provides typography, color, border, spacing, background, icon, and responsive styling controls
- Shows preview FAQ examples in Elementor when no saved FAQ exists
- Does not use AI credits
Both methods display the same saved FAQ Questions and Answers rather than creating a second independent FAQ dataset.
Where Should I Go Next?
For creating, editing, and generating FAQ:
For the FAQ product overview:
For current AI credit rules:
For WordPress access permissions:
User Access Control & Permissions
For FAQ display problems: