---
title: "Widget types"
description: "The widget layouts you can build, combining sources into one widget, and floating widgets."
---

Every widget is a **layout** applied to your content: the same posts can render as a grid, a collage, a slider, or a small floating element. The layout is set by the [template](/docs/widgets/templates/) you start from or by what you ask [AI design](/docs/widgets/ai-design/) for, and you can change it at any time without touching your sources.

This page covers the layout families, combining several sources into one widget, and how to float a widget over the page.

## Widget layouts

-   **Feed** is the classic grid: posts in rows and columns, the layout most social feeds and reviews walls use.
    
    ![The Agency Google Reviews Widget template, a grid-style feed of review cards](https://embedsocial.com/admin/feedcdn/uploads/widget-templates/89160b01/89160b01d08b1844f3b92d971b6261913190b8305c29_1024x10241c5f27293915b6a6edad47525aa661a8.webp)
    
    See it live: [Agency Google Reviews Widget](/templates/agency-google-reviews-widget/)
    
-   **Collage** is the masonry option: tiles of mixed sizes packed together, which suits photo-heavy Instagram content.
    
    ![The Free Shoppable Instagram Widget template in a collage layout with mixed tile sizes](https://embedsocial.com/admin/feedcdn/uploads/widget-templates/8ae76f21/8ae76f217e7c3ed7b62cce04ddf7ec0fb5ede17d7ee0_1024x1024e2c9259595278595ff03b2bce6b7e533.webp)
    
    See it live: [Free Shoppable Instagram Widget](/templates/free-shoppable-instagram-widget-collage/)
    
-   **Slider** scrolls posts horizontally, one or a few at a time, and fits narrow sections like a homepage strip.
    
    ![The Blue Single Reviews Slider template showing one review card at a time](https://embedsocial.com/admin/feedcdn/uploads/widget-templates/3eeb6e3e/ba51b1ad32c8f1034e914b46ee3fcba8b8143df349fb_512x51294221a55a54277ee709b365974f74165.webp)
    
    See it live: [Blue Single Reviews Slider](/templates/blue-single-reviews-slider/)
    
-   **Floating popup** floats over the page instead of sitting in it, so it works on every page of your site without a layout change.
    
    ![The Floating Instagram Widget template floating over a page](https://embedsocial.com/admin/feedcdn/uploads/widget-templates/188ceaa3/188ceaa377817eca13594fbacb4c6775a5974676e093_1024x10247d333451f5dcb62018f9c3ca24a4f6a8.webp)
    
    See it live: [Floating Instagram Widget](/templates/floating-instagram-widget/)
    
-   **Badge** is the compact floating format: a small rating bar pinned to the page edge, ideal for showing a review score site-wide.
    
    ![The Dark Floating Badge with Avatars template, a compact review-score badge](https://embedsocial.com/admin/feedcdn/uploads/widget-templates/b0f1b51d/b0f1b51da9476c1361cd9840194efc6357dc5ad0a9cd_1024x102461b34d48dd8da25adadcf6785b4449a7.webp)
    
    See it live: [Dark Floating Badge with Avatars](/templates/dark-floating-google-reviews-badge-with-avatars/)
    

Browse them all as live widgets in the [template library](/templates/).

## Combo widgets

A **combo widget** pulls from more than one source at once, so one widget can show your Instagram posts, Facebook posts, and Google reviews together. There is no separate widget type for it: open any widget's '**Sources**' tab and select every source it should show.

![The Sources tab with several sources selected for one widget](https://embedsocial.com/images/docs/3920512/2.jpg)

Sources mix freely: posts from several platforms, reviews from several review sources, reviews together with posts, or several locations of the same business. Each source still counts once against your plan, and the embed code never changes, so a live widget starts showing the added sources without a re-embed.

![A widget combining Google reviews with social media posts](https://embedsocial.com/images/docs/8106076/9.jpg)

## How to create a floating widget

Any widget can float. The switch is in the widget's settings, not a separate widget type:

:::steps
1. **Open Settings.** In the widget editor, click '**Settings**' in the left rail.
2. **Set the position to Floating.** Under '**Widget position**', pick '**Floating**' instead of '**Inline**'.
3. **Choose where it floats.** Pick a corner in '**Float position**', such as '**Bottom right**', and the preview shows the widget pinned there.
![The Settings panel with Widget position set to Floating, the Float position dropdown on Bottom right, and the badge floating in the preview](https://embedsocial.com/images/docs/widget-types/1-floating-widget-position.jpg)
4. **Tune the behaviour (optional).** '**Show widget once per session**' keeps a popup from reappearing on every page view.
:::

> Inline needs the embed code pasted where the widget should appear. Floating only needs the code anywhere on the page, since the widget positions itself.

Ready to pick yours? [Browse the template library](/templates/) or [start your free trial](/admin/continue_plugin_purchase/socialfeed29/trial?continue_onboarding=ai_widget).

## FAQ

**Q: Can I change the layout after the widget is built?**

Yes. Apply a different [template](/docs/widgets/templates/) or ask [AI design](/docs/widgets/ai-design/) for the new layout. Your sources and filters stay as they are.

**Q: How many sources can one widget combine?**

As many as you have connected. Your plan caps the number of sources on the account, not how many of them a single widget uses.

**Q: Do I need to re-embed after adding a source or changing position?**

No. The embed code stays the same, so changes appear on your live site automatically.

**Q: What is the difference between a floating popup and a badge?**

Both float over the page. The popup shows posts or reviews, while the badge is a compact rating bar showing your score.

**Q: Where does the embed code go for a floating widget?**

Anywhere on the page. Floating widgets position themselves, so the code's location does not matter.

## What's next

Pick a starting design in [Templates](/docs/widgets/templates/), choose the sources in the '**Sources**' tab, then narrow what shows with [Filters](/docs/widgets/filters/).

> If you have any questions, click the bottom right chat icon to talk with our customer success team or send us an email at [support@embedsocial.com](mailto:support@embedsocial.com) We're here for you 🙏
