Implementing a social media 'Like' functionality with JavaScript and PHP

Other Questions API
1

I’m trying to create a custom ‘Like’ button for my website using JavaScript and PHP. Here’s a simplified version of my code:

function SocialButton(target, elementId, appKey) {
  this.target = target;
  this.elementId = elementId;
  this.appKey = appKey;

  this.setup = function() {
    console.log('Setting up social button');
    this.addSocialScript();
    this.createButton();
    document.getElementById(this.elementId).onmouseover = updateButtonPosition;
  }

  this.addSocialScript = function() {
    if (document.getElementById('social-container')) return;
    var container = document.createElement('div');
    container.id = 'social-container';
    document.body.appendChild(container);
    // Code to add social media SDK script
  }

  this.createButton = function() {
    var btn = document.createElement('div');
    btn.id = 'social-btn';
    btn.setAttribute('data-url', this.target);
    document.getElementById(this.elementId).appendChild(btn);
  }

  function updateButtonPosition(event) {
    // Code to update button position based on mouse movement
  }
}

I’m having trouble with the addSocialScript function. Even though I’m logged into the social media platform in another browser tab, the line if (document.getElementById('social-container')) return; always evaluates to true, and the script isn’t added.

Any ideas why this might be happening? I’m using Windows 10 and the latest version of Chrome. Could it be related to browser security or how the social media SDK interacts with my page?

2

I’ve dealt with similar issues implementing social media functionalities. One thing to consider is that the ‘social-container’ check might be too simplistic. Social media SDKs often create their own containers, which could interfere with your logic.

Instead of relying on a container check, you might want to use a flag or cookie to track whether the script has been loaded. This approach is more reliable:

if (!localStorage.getItem('socialScriptLoaded')) {
  // Load script here
  localStorage.setItem('socialScriptLoaded', 'true');
}

Also, make sure you’re not blocking third-party cookies in your browser settings, as this can affect how social media SDKs function. Lastly, double-check that your app key and domain settings in the social media developer console are correct. These are common pitfalls that can cause unexpected behavior.

3

hey there! i had a similar issue. check if the ‘social-container’ div is being created elsewhere in ur code. maybe it’s already present when the function runs? also, try using different browser or incognito mode to rule out caching issues. hope this helps!

4

The issue you’re encountering could be related to how the script is loaded or executed. Have you considered using an asynchronous loading method for the social media SDK? This approach might prevent the premature creation of the ‘social-container’ element. Additionally, it’s worth checking if there are any conflicting scripts or CSS rules that might be interfering with your custom implementation. Consider using browser developer tools to inspect the DOM and network requests to pinpoint where the process is failing. Lastly, ensure that your website’s domain is properly configured and whitelisted in the social media platform’s developer settings, as this can sometimes cause unexpected behavior with SDKs.