How to set up a Content Aware Sidebar

Content Aware Sidebars let us show specific sidebar content on selected pages, posts, or categories. They're perfect for targeted ads, promotions, or custom layouts. This process involves creating the sidebar, activating it in Widgets, and adding the correct content.

STEP 1: Create a new Content Aware Sidebar

In WordPress, go to Content Aware → Add New.

• Choose where the sidebar should appear (specific pages, posts, categories, etc).

• Choose which existing sidebar this new one will replace and how it should behave.

  • Important: The sidebar you are replacing must have “Allow this sidebar to be replaced” ticked (this will be checked in the widgets step below).

• If needed, set a schedule for when the sidebar should be active.

• Save the sidebar.

STEP 2: Activate the sidebar in Widgets

Go to Appearance → Widgets.

• Find the newly created Content Aware Sidebar.

• Make sure it is set to Active.

• Double-check that the original sidebar you are replacing has “Allow this sidebar to be replaced” enabled.

STEP 3: Add content to the sidebar

This is where you decide what actually appears in the sidebar.

The most common Widgets we will use are:

• AdRotate Advert (single image), or

• AdRotate Group (multiple buttons or rotating content).

To add content to your new sidebar:

• Find the widget you want on the left.

• Drag it into your new Content Aware Sidebar.

• Select the correct Advert or Group from the dropdown.

Final checks

• Visit a page where the sidebar should appear and confirm it’s displaying correctly.

• Check that it only appears on the pages you intended.

• If something isn’t showing, recheck:

  • Sidebar replacement behaviour settings

  • Active/Able to replace settings

  • Page/Post/Category targeting rules