The default attribute in [molongui_author_avatar] lets you control what should be displayed when the requested avatar source is not available.
It is especially useful together with the source attribute when you want predictable fallback behavior for a specific shortcode.
Use an acronym as the fallback
To display an acronym when the requested avatar is unavailable, use:
[molongui_author_avatar source="gravatar" default="acronym"]The shortcode will use:
Gravatar → Acronym
You can do the same with a Local Avatar:
[molongui_author_avatar source="local" default="acronym"]This results in:
Local Avatar → Acronym
Display nothing when the avatar is unavailable
Use default="none" when you do not want any fallback to be displayed.
For example:
[molongui_author_avatar source="gravatar" default="none"]This results in:
Gravatar → No Avatar
Likewise:
[molongui_author_avatar source="local" default="none"]results in:
Local Avatar → No Avatar
What happens if you do not specify a default?
When you explicitly choose an avatar source but do not specify a default, Molongui Authorship uses its normal fallback behavior for that source.
For example:
[molongui_author_avatar source="gravatar"]If Gravatar is enabled, the usual fallback is:
Gravatar → Custom Default Avatar → WordPress Default Avatar
The Custom Default Avatar is used when it is enabled and configured. If it is disabled, the Default Avatar configured in WordPress can be used instead.
Fallback behavior with a Local Avatar
When you use:
[molongui_author_avatar source="local"]Molongui Authorship prefers the Local Avatar and continues through the normal image fallback chain when no local image is available:
Local Avatar → Gravatar → Custom Default Avatar → WordPress Default Avatar
Only sources enabled in your global avatar settings can be used.
Using source=”auto”
With:
[molongui_author_avatar source="auto"]Molongui Authorship uses the standard avatar resolution configured for your site.
With all avatar options enabled, the normal priority is:
Local Avatar → Gravatar → Custom Default Avatar
If the Custom Default Avatar is disabled while Gravatar remains enabled, WordPress’ configured Default Avatar can be used as the final Gravatar fallback.
Global settings always take priority
The settings under Authors > Settings > General act as master switches.
For example, this shortcode:
[molongui_author_avatar source="gravatar" default="acronym"]cannot force a Gravatar request if Gravatar has been disabled globally.
Likewise, source="local" cannot force the use of Local Avatars when Local Author Avatars are disabled globally.
Quick examples
[molongui_author_avatar source="gravatar" default="acronym"]— Gravatar first, Acronym otherwise.[molongui_author_avatar source="gravatar" default="none"]— Gravatar first, nothing otherwise.[molongui_author_avatar source="local" default="acronym"]— Local Avatar first, Acronym otherwise.[molongui_author_avatar source="local" default="none"]— Local Avatar first, nothing otherwise.[molongui_author_avatar source="acronym"]— Always display the generated acronym.[molongui_author_avatar source="auto"]— Use the normal Molongui Authorship avatar resolution.
What about existing shortcodes?
The source attribute is optional.
Existing shortcodes that do not specify source keep their previous behavior for backward compatibility.
If you want to use the new global avatar resolution explicitly, use source="auto".
