Overview
GT Link Manager uses a license key system for update delivery. The plugin works without a license — all features are fully functional — but automatic updates through the WordPress updates interface are only available with an active, valid license.
The license system connects to gauravtiwari.org, which is the distribution server for the plugin. License validation and update packages are served from that endpoint.
Activating your license
Go to GT Links → License in the WordPress admin.
Enter your license key in the input field and click Activate License. The plugin sends the key to the license server along with the current site URL. If the key is valid and hasn’t exceeded its activation limit, the server returns an activation hash and a confirmation.
After successful activation, the license page shows the license status, the expiration date (or Lifetime for perpetual licenses), and the product name. The plugin stores this data locally in wp_options.
License statuses
Valid (Active) — the license is active and in good standing. You’ll receive automatic update notifications through WordPress.
Expired — the license key is no longer valid (the subscription has ended). The plugin continues to work, but updates stop and a persistent admin notice appears indicating the license has expired. Renewing the license on gauravtiwari.org and re-entering the key resolves this.
Inactive — the license hasn’t been activated on this site yet. A dismissible admin notice appears. You can dismiss this notice, but updates won’t work until the license is activated.
Deactivating your license
On the license page, click Deactivate License. The plugin notifies the license server to release the activation slot tied to this site URL. This allows you to reactivate the license on a different site (subject to the activation limit on your license).
After deactivation, the local license data is cleared and the status returns to inactive.
Automatic license verification
Once activated, GT Link Manager schedules a weekly background verification via WordPress Cron. The cron job runs the gt_link_verify_license hook, which sends a verification request to the license server.
The server checks whether the license key is still valid, not expired, and still activated to this site’s URL. The result updates the locally stored license status. If the license has expired on the server, the local status updates accordingly and the expiry notice appears.
For this to work, WordPress Cron must be functioning on your server. If your site uses a disabled WP-Cron (the DISABLE_WP_CRON constant is set to true), you’ll need a real cron job calling wp-cron.php on a weekly or more frequent schedule.
Automatic updates
With a valid license, GT Link Manager participates in the standard WordPress update flow. When a new version is released, it appears in Dashboard → Updates and can be updated from there like any other plugin.
The plugin hooks into WordPress’s plugin update checker APIs (plugins_api and pre_set_site_transient_update_plugins) to inject update information from the license server rather than the WordPress.org plugin directory. This is standard practice for commercial plugins distributed outside the plugin directory.
The update check contacts the license server to retrieve version information and changelog data. If a newer version exists and your license is valid, the update is presented in the WordPress admin.
Manual update check
If you’ve just renewed a license or need to force an update check, go to GT Links → License and click the Check for Updates button (or equivalent action on the page). This bypasses the cache and immediately queries the license server for the latest version information.
Plugin action links
The license page URL is added as an action link on the main Plugins page, next to Activate/Deactivate. This makes it easy to jump to the license page from the standard plugin management view.
What license data is stored
The plugin stores these values in wp_options under a private option key:
The license key itself (stored for re-verification).
The license status string: valid, expired, or inactive.
The activation hash returned by the server (used for deactivation requests).
The expiration date string (either an ISO date or lifetime).
The product title from the server response.
The timestamp when the license was activated on this site.
None of this data is transmitted to third parties. It’s used only for communication with gauravtiwari.org.