=== CM Answers - Discussion Forum Plugin for WordPress Q&A ===
Name: CM Questions and Answers
Contributors: CreativeMindsSolutions
Donate link: http://www.cminds.com/
Tags: forum plugin, discussion forum plugin, q&a, questions and answers, community forum, support forum, knowledge base, stackoverflow, voting, moderation, user engagement, wordpress forum
Requires at least: 5.4.0
Tested up to: 7.0
Stable tag: 3.4.2
Requires PHP: 5.4
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Discussion Forum Plugin for WordPress Q&A. Build engaging community forums with voting, moderation, notifications, and AI integration. The complete discussion forum plugin solution for your website.

== Description ==

[Pro Plugin Page](https://www.cminds.com/cm-answer-store-page-content/) | [Videos](https://www.videolessonsplugin.com/video-lesson/lesson/questions-answers-plugin/)  | [Demo](https://www.answersplugin.com/cm-answers-demo-main-menu/) | [User Guide](https://creativeminds.helpscoutdocs.com/category/987-answers-cma) | [Add-ons](https://www.cminds.com/wordpress-plugins-library/?showfilter=No&tags=AnswerAddOn)

**CM Answers is a robust WordPress question and answer plugin that transforms your website into an interactive Q&A forum. Whether you need a support forum, a community discussion board, or a knowledge-sharing hub, this discussion forum plugin provides the tools to engage users, organize content, and grow your audience.**

⭐ *The 2025 release adds 20+ new features, AI integrations (ChatGPT & Gemini), and over 50 customizable front-end labels - making it easier than ever to tailor your forum to your community.*

With multilingual support, voting, moderation, notifications, AJAX, and shortcodes, this plugin is a complete solution for creating your own StackOverflow-style WordPress forum or Quora-style discussion platform.

## WordPress Forum Plugin Features for Community Engagement

### Create SEO-Friendly Discussion Forums with Our Discussion Forum Plugin
Turn your site into a powerful discussion forum plugin for WordPress that boosts visibility and builds authority. Each question and answer generates indexable content, helping you rank for valuable long-tail queries like "WordPress customer support forum" or "WordPress community engagement plugin."

### Improve User Engagement with Q&A Interactions
Keep visitors active with features like voting, notifications, gravatar integration, and user dashboards. Encourage peer-to-peer help, reduce support load, and build trust as users see questions resolved in real time.

### WordPress Support Forum with Moderation Tools
Admins have complete control: set roles and permissions, review posts in a moderation queue, allow or block anonymous posting, and receive notifications for all activity.

### WordPress Community Forum with Monetization
Charge for asking questions with the WordPress paid support plugin add-on, reward participation with micropayments, or even use adsense integration to monetize your discussion forum plugin. Turn your Q&A forum into a revenue-generating platform.

## WordPress Q&A Plugin Core Functionality

### Question Moderation and Notification

As an administrator, you can moderate questions and answers and receive email notifications. In addition, users can follow specific topics and receive notifications whenever new answers are posted.

### Answers Plugin Introduction Video (Pro Version)

[vimeo https://vimeo.com/108654995]

## WordPress Discussion Forum Plugin Use Cases

* **WordPress Support Forum Plugin** - Centralize troubleshooting Q&A and reduce support tickets
* **WordPress Customer Support Forum** - Create a searchable knowledge base for customer self-service
* **WordPress Community Forum Plugin** - Let members ask, answer, and vote on community discussions
* **Discussion Forum Plugin for Engagement** - Build an interactive discussion forum plugin that keeps users engaged and coming back
* **WordPress Student Forum Plugin** - Manage classroom Q&A and student interactions online
* **StackOverflow Style WordPress Plugin** - Build technical communities with voting and reputation
* **Quora Style WordPress Plugin** - Create general interest discussion platforms
* **WordPress Paid Support Plugin** - Monetize premium support access with payment integration
* **WordPress Anonymous Posting Plugin** - Support anonymous posting with additional add-on

## WordPress Q&A Plugin Basic Features

### Core Functionality

* Create Q&A forums where users ask and answer questions
* WordPress voting plugin system to highlight the best answers
* Track views, answers count, and ratings
* Sort questions by popularity, date, or activity
* Includes a views count
* Includes an answers count
* Includes a rating count

### ⚙️ WordPress Moderation Plugin Features

* Admin can define who can ask questions based on user role
* Administrators can moderate questions and answers and can receive email notifications
* Supports email notifications when posting new questions and answers
* Forum question sorting options
* Shows and sorts all answers in ascending or descending order

### 🎨 WordPress AJAX Forum Plugin User Experience

* Supports AJAX for seamless and dynamic forum interactions
* Shows a login form for guest users
* Ability to display a Gravatar near the user's name and in the user's profile
* Template can be easily customized according to users requirements
* Support editing or translating front-end labels
* Includes a user-friendly Setup Wizard for quick and easy plugin configuration
* We will be happy to add more language files and submit them to our WP community members. Currently we support: Spanish, German, Polish, Russian, French and Czech

## WordPress Q&A Plugin Pro Features

[Pro Version Detailed Features List](https://www.cminds.com/cm-answer-store-page-content/#features) | [Demo Site](https://www.answersplugin.com/cm-answers-demo-main-menu/)

### 🔒 WordPress Anonymous Posting Plugin Security & Privacy

* Anonymous Posting - Support anonymous non logged-in user posting when used with an add-on
* WordPress Private Questions Plugin - Mark answer as private so only question author can see it
* Private Question - Send questions privately to question author
* Spam Report - User can report spam questions or answers

### 📊 WordPress User Profile Questions Answers Engagement

* User Dashboard - Adds "My Questions" and "My Answers" dashboards to the user profile page by using Shortcodes: cma-my-questions and cma-my-answers [View Image](http://www.cminds.com/wp-content/uploads/edd/cm-answers-image3.png)
* User Posting Meter - Ability to add the user's profile of the number of posted questions and answers that the user has contributed displayed beside their user name. [View Image](http://www.cminds.com/wp-content/uploads/edd/cm-answers-image5.png)
* User Badges - Assign badges to all users and unique badges to specific users
* Sticky Questions - Supports sticky questions with an administrator defined background color

### 🛠️ WordPress Shortcode Forum Plugin Advanced Tools

* Multiple Attachments - Multiple attachments in questions and answers
* Comments - Add comments to question or answers
* Shortcodes - Generates a Questions List by using a Shortcode: cma-questions with additional parameters. For example, limit=10 author=123 sort=hottest
* Widgets - The question answer plugin allows for widget integration that can sort and display hottest questions, most viewed, most recent answers and more. [View Image](http://www.cminds.com/wp-content/uploads/edd/cm-answers-image4.png)
* Categories - Ability to add categories and display them using a shortcode
* Two Levels Category Navigation - Support two level category navigation
* Tags - In this question and answer plugin tags are fully supported. Administrators can control the appearance of tags with an available Tags widget

### 🔗 WordPress Multilingual Q&A Plugin Integrations

* Mobile Responsive - Adjusted design and UX for mobile devices
* BuddyPress - Stronger Integration with BuddyPress
* Social Media Registration Integration - Q and A plugin integrates with Facebook and LinkedIn profiles. [View Image](http://www.cminds.com/wp-content/uploads/edd/image1.png), [See another image](http://www.cminds.com/wp-content/uploads/edd/cm-answers-image2.png)
* Integration with Twitter - Users can register and post using existing Twitter account
* Ultimate Member Integration - Supports adding a custom CMA tab for Ultimate Member user profile
* CM Expert Directory Integration - Associate user profiles to expert profiles from CM Expert Directory and synchronize categories
* GamiPress Integration - Allows to reward users for different actions on your forum
* WordPress Plugin with Micropayments Support - Grant or Charge virtual currency based on use-case
* Advertisements - Integration with Ad-Sense or other Ads networks
* Code Snippets in Posts - Support for code snippets and custom background color
* Homepage - Supports options to define CM Answers as the Site or Blog homepage
* Permalink - Customizable CM Answers permalink
* Disclaimer - Added Disclaimer support for first time users
* Social Share - Includes a social share widget in the question page
* Reassign Content - Use the Q and A plugin to reassign all forum content (questions, answers and comments) from one user to another one
* Multisite - Supports multisite
* Attachment - Accepts file attachments when posting a question. Limits for file types and sizes
* View Count Control - Controls how a view count is tabulated (by view or by session)
* Public User Profile - Automatically generates a public profile page containing all the questions and answers a user has posted, with a link to their social media profile. [View Image](http://www.cminds.com/wp-content/uploads/edd/cm-answers-image8.png)
* Show/Hide Views - Administrator can choose to hide or show the number of views that a topic has via the Questions and Answers plugin settings. [View Image](http://www.cminds.com/wp-content/uploads/edd/cm-answers-image6.png)
* Moderation - Administrators can define a list of users who are exempt and can post without any moderation. [View Image](http://www.cminds.com/wp-content/uploads/edd/cm-answers-image7.png)
* Edit Questions and Answers - Users can edit their questions and answers after submission
* Access Control - Admin can define who can ask questions and who can answer based on user role via the Q and A plugin settings
* Gratitude Message - Does not include our Gratitude Message in the footer

### 🤖 WordPress Plugin with ChatGPT Answers AI Integration

* ChatGPT Integration - Supports posting automatically generated answers in specified categories
* Gemini support to automatically answer questions on selected categories
* Support content filtering and monitoring using AI

## WordPress Knowledge Base Forum Add-ons

* [CM MicroPayments](https://www.cminds.com/wordpress-plugins-library/micropayments/)
* [CM Answers Anonymous User Posting](https://www.cminds.com/wordpress-plugins-library/cm-answer-anonymous-user-posting-cm-plugins-store/)
* [PeepSo Add-on for CM Answers](https://www.cminds.com/wordpress-plugins-library/cm-answers-peepso-social-network-integration-addon-for-wordpress/)
* [CM Ask the Expert](https://www.cminds.com/wordpress-plugins-library/ask-the-expert-wordpress-plugin-by-creativeminds/)
* [CM Answers Idea Stimulator](https://www.cminds.com/wordpress-plugins-library/cm-answers-idea-stimulator-ideations-addon/)
* [CM Answers Widgets](https://www.cminds.com/wordpress-plugins-library/purchase-cm-answers-widgets-add-on-for-wordpress/)
* [CM Answers Import and Export](https://www.cminds.com/wordpress-plugins-library/cm-answers-import-and-export-add-on-for-wordpress/)
* [CM Answers AnsPress Import](https://www.cminds.com/wordpress-plugins-library/answers-anspress-import-addon-for-wordpress-by-creativeminds/)
* [CM Answers Payments](https://www.cminds.com/wordpress-plugins-library/cm-answers-payment-support-addon-wordpress/)

## Why Choose CM Answers as Your Discussion Forum Plugin

🏆 **Flexible Setup**: Choose from free, moderated, anonymous, or paid forums to match your community needs with this versatile discussion forum plugin

🏆 **SEO-First Approach**: Generate indexable Q&A content that drives organic traffic and builds domain authority

🏆 **Extensible Platform**: Access dozens of add-ons and integrations for e-commerce, membership, and community features

🏆 **Future-Ready Technology**: Optional AI answers with ChatGPT/Gemini integration for automated responses

🏆 **Proven Community Builder**: Trusted by thousands of WordPress sites to create engaging discussion boards and support forums with this reliable discussion forum plugin

== Follow Us ==

[Blog](https://www.cminds.com/category/wordpress/) | [Twitter](http://twitter.com/cmplugins) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativeminds) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/cmindschannel) | [Pinterest](http://www.pinterest.com/cmplugins/) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/cmplugins/)

== Suggested Plugins by CreativeMinds ==

List of all [WordPress Plugins](https://www.cminds.com) by CreativeMinds

* [CM Tooltip Glossary](https://glossaryplugin.com/) - Easily creates a Glossary, Encyclopaedia or Dictionary of your website's terms and shows them as a tooltip in posts and pages when hovering. With many more powerful features.
* [CM Download Manager](https://www.downloadmanagerplugin.com/) - Allows users to upload, manage, track and support documents or files in a download directory listing database for others to contribute, use and comment upon.
* [CM Restrict Content](http://restrictcontent.com/) - A full-featured, powerful membership solution and content restriction plugin for WordPress. Support access by role to content on your site.
* [CM OnBoarding](https://onboardingplugin.com/) - Superb Guidance tool which improves the online experience and the user satisfaction.
* [CM Booking Calendar](http://bookingcalendarplugin.com/) - Customers can easily schedule appointments and pay for them directly through your website.

== Installation ==

[Detailed User Guide](https://creativeminds.helpscoutdocs.com/category/987-answers-cma)

1. Upload the plugin folder to the `/wp-content/plugins/` directory
2. Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' menu in WordPress
3. Manage your CM Answers plugin from Left Side Admin Dashboard

Note: You must have a call to wp_head() in your template in order for the JS plugin files to work properly. If your theme does not support this you will need to link them files manually in your theme (not recommended).

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

[More FAQ's](https://www.cminds.com/cm-answer-store-page-content/#faq)

[Detailed User Guide](https://creativeminds.helpscoutdocs.com/category/987-answers-cma)

### Can guests post questions or answers?
Yes. With the anonymous posting add-on, guests can contribute. Admins can moderate or require registration.

### How do I moderate questions and fight spam?
Use the moderation queue, spam report feature, and define user roles. Trusted users can be exempt from moderation.

### Is it compatible with Multisite and page builders?
Yes. The plugin supports WordPress multisite and works with most block or classic themes, including Elementor and Divi.

### Can I customize front-end labels and templates?
Yes. Labels are editable in settings. For deeper design changes, override files in a /CMA/ folder within your theme.

### What's the difference between Free and Pro?
Free covers core Q&A, voting, moderation, notifications. Pro adds anonymous/private posting, attachments, categories, widgets, AI, micropayments, and community integrations.

### Does it support AI answers?
Yes. The Premium edition allows ChatGPT or Gemini to generate answers in selected categories.

### Is this plugin like StackOverflow or Quora?
Yes! CM Answers is a versatile discussion forum plugin that can create both StackOverflow-style technical communities with voting and reputation systems, and Quora-style general discussion platforms. The plugin includes voting, moderation, user profiles, and categorization features similar to these platforms.

### Does CM Answers work with WooCommerce or EDD?
Yes. The plugin integrates with WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads through the CM Answers Payments add-on, allowing you to monetize your Q&A forum with paid questions, premium support access, and micropayments for community engagement.

### How can I customize the look and feel of the Answers plugin?
In your template you can custom create a directory called "CMA". Inside this directory you can place a structure that is similar to the one inside "cm-answers/views/frontend/". If the file is properly able to be found in your template's directory, then it will have priority over the default. Otherwise, the default file from our plugin directory will be used.

== Screenshots ==

1. Discussion Forum Plugin – General Settings
2. Q&A Forum Plugin – Appearance Settings
3. WordPress Forum – Thread Settings
4. Forum Plugin – Access & Moderation Settings
5. WordPress Answers – Email Notifications Settings
6. Discussion Forum Plugin – Front-end Labels Customization
7. Q&A Forum – Available Shortcodes Overview
8. CM Answers – Managing Questions (Admin)
9. CM Answers – Managing Answers (Admin)
10. Discussion Forum Plugin – Index Page (Front-end)
11. Q&A Forum – Thread Page Example
12. CM Answers – Setup Wizard
13. Setup Wizard – Example Step

== Changelog ==

= 3.4.2 =
* Resolved notice function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly.

= 3.4.1 =
* Improvements

= 3.4.0 =
Release Date: 12 Mar 2026
* Improved compatibility with WordPress 6.9.3 and greater

= 3.3.9 =
Release Date: 19 Jan 2026
* Update package info

= 3.3.8 =
Release Date: 24 Sep 2025
* Fixed removing line breaks in answers' content

= 3.3.7 =
Release Date: 13 Jun 2025
* Small bugfix

= 3.3.6 =
Release Date: 12 Jun 2025
* Added restrictions for deactivating a plugin and send reason should be admin user

= 3.3.5 =
Release Date: 15 May 2025
* Updated pricing

= 3.3.4 =
* Fixed vulnerability issue

= 3.3.3 =
Release Date: 14 Apr 2025
* Improvements

= 3.3.2 =
Release Date: 14 Mar 2025
* Updated pricing

= 3.3.1 =
Release Date: 23 Jan 2025
* Improved compatibility with block themes
* Fixed bugs

= 3.3.0 =
Release Date: 08 Jan 2025
* Fixed vulnerability issue

= 3.2.9 =
Release Date:
* Implemented Wizard Setup

= 3.2.8 =
Release Date: 07 Dec 2024
* Added missing js directory in package

= 3.2.7 =
* Fixed vulnerability

= 3.2.6 =
Release Date: 19 Nov 2024
* Fixed security (medium) issue

= 3.2.5 =
Release Date: 9 Oct 2024
* Fixed security issues

= 3.2.4 =
Release Date: 18 May 2024
* Fixed security issues

= 3.2.3 =
Release Date: 21 December 2023
* Update package info

= 3.2.2 =
Release Date:  17th Mar 2023
* Update package info

= 3.2.1 =
* Fixed 404 problems after permalink change automatically

= 3.2.0 =
* Fixed vulnerability

= 3.1.9 =
* Fixed warnings for PHP 8

= 3.1.8 =
Release Date:  9th Nov 2022
* Update support links

= 3.1.7 =
Release Date:  6th Sep 2022
* Security fix

= 3.1.6 = 
Release Date: 25th Aug 2022
* Changes to documentation and changelog links

= 3.1.3 = 
Release Date: 12th May 2022
* Fixed bugs

= 3.1.0 =  
Release Date: 8th July 2020
* Checked compatibility with PHP 7.4 and WordPress 5.4.2
* Added compatibility questions post types with Guttenberg

=  3.0.1 = 
Release Date:8th May 2019
* Added XSS filtering function on backlink parameter

= 2.11.0 =
Release Date: 24th May 2018
* Fix for the GDPR support

= Earlier versions =
For the changelog of earlier versions, please refer to [the changelog on cminds.com](https://www.cminds.com/cm-answers-free-version-changelog/)