How to Create Your First Gallery

You can create a WordPress gallery in five steps using the Gallery Builder. The free WP Media source pulls images from your WordPress media library, so you do not need external accounts or API keys. After saving, you receive a shortcode to paste into any post, page, or widget.

Before You Start

Make sure you have the following ready before opening the Gallery Builder.

• WP Social Media Gallery installed and activated.
• Images uploaded to your WordPress media library.
• An administrator or editor account.

Open the Gallery Builder

1. Go to WP Social Media Gallery > Gallery Builder.
2. Click Create New Gallery.
3. Enter a title and confirm the type is Gallery (WP Media).

The builder opens on the Source step.

Select Images from the Media Library

On the Source step, click Select From Media Library, browse your attachments, and click each image to select it. Click Add to Gallery to confirm. Selected images appear as thumbnails you can drag to reorder or remove.

Choose a Layout and Save

The Configuration step controls display. Pick a view style — Automatic, Grid, Masonry, or Mosaic — then set columns, spacing, and border radius. Click Save Changes to store the gallery and receive an ID.

Embed the Gallery

After saving, copy the shortcode from the embed panel and paste it into any post, page, or widget area. You can also use the WP Social Media Gallery Gutenberg block, which lists your saved galleries in a dropdown.

1. Copy the shortcode: [wp_social_media_gallery id="1"]
2. Paste it into the content editor of any post or page.
3. Preview to confirm the gallery renders.

What to Check

Confirm the gallery works correctly after embedding.

• The gallery renders with the chosen layout.
• All selected images appear in the correct order.
• The gallery appears in WP Social Media Gallery > Gallery Builder and can be reopened for editing.

Troubleshooting

If the gallery does not appear on the front end, check the following.

• Missing gallery ID: The shortcode requires an id attribute. Verify the shortcode reads [wp_social_media_gallery id="1"] with a valid numeric ID.
• Gallery not active: Open the gallery in the builder and confirm the Status toggle is enabled.

Next Steps

Your first gallery is live. Learn about the WP Social Media Gallery dashboard to explore the full admin interface and settings.