This FAQ explains why the map zoom can work differently on a normal page, a homepage, a category page, a city page, a property list page, or the Advanced Search Results page.
The homepage map is not a separate map type. If the homepage uses Hero Media > Maps, it works the same as Hero Media Maps on any regular page.
The real difference is this:
- Normal page Hero Media map uses the map center and zoom saved in the page options or global map options.
- Category, city, area, taxonomy, property list, and search results maps can auto-zoom based on the property pins loaded on that page.
Quick Answer
There are two main map behaviors in WPResidence.
1. Hero Media Map on a normal page
This map uses the center point and zoom value saved in the page options or global map options.
Use this for pages such as:
- Homepage
- About page
- Landing pages
- Custom pages created from Pages > Add New
2. Map on category, taxonomy, property list, or search results pages
These maps are connected to the property list. The theme loads the property pins for the current list/page and can auto-adjust the map zoom to fit those pins.
Use this behavior for:
- City pages
- Area pages
- Property category pages
- Property taxonomy pages
- Properties List pages
- Advanced Search Results page
- Half Map layouts
Normal Page Hero Media Map
A normal page is a page created from:
Pages > Add New
or edited from:
Pages > All Pages
When this page uses Hero Media > Maps, the map works as a regular Hero Media map.
The map view is controlled by:
- Maps – Center point Latitude
- Maps – Center point Longitude
- Zoom Level for maps
- Maps height when closed
- Maps height when open
A lower zoom value shows a wider area.
A higher zoom value shows a closer area.
Example:
- Zoom 6 shows a wider map view.
- Zoom 10 shows a closer map view.
Homepage Map
The homepage map works the same as any other normal page Hero Media map.
To edit it:
- Go to Pages > All Pages.
- Edit the homepage.
- Scroll to the WPResidence page options / Appearance options.
- Find Select The Hero Header Media Type.
- Select Maps.
- Set the map latitude, longitude, zoom, and map height.
- Update the page.
- Clear cache and test again.
If the homepage map is too zoomed in, lower the Zoom Level for maps value.
If the map opens in the wrong area, change the center latitude and longitude.
Global Hero Media Map
Global Hero Media is managed from:
Theme Options > Header > Hero Media
If the Global Hero Media is set to Maps, the map can apply to pages and archive pages that use the global hero setup.
The global map options are managed from:
Theme Options > Map > Map Settings
Use the global map setup when you want one default Hero Media map behavior across the website.
Custom Hero Media Map for One Page
A regular page can override the Global Hero Media.
To set a custom Hero Media map for one page:
- Go to Pages > All Pages.
- Edit the page.
- Scroll to the WPResidence page options / Appearance options.
- Set Select The Hero Header Media Type to Maps.
- Add the map center latitude and longitude.
- Set the map zoom level.
- Set the map height when closed/open, if needed.
- Update the page.
- Clear cache and test the page.
If the page map options are left blank, the page can use the global map settings.
Category, Taxonomy, List, and Search Result Maps
Some pages are not normal WordPress pages. They are generated by WordPress and WPResidence.
Examples:
- City pages
- Area pages
- Property category pages
- Property action pages
- Property taxonomy pages
- Properties List pages
- Advanced Search Results page
These pages can behave differently when Maps is used as Hero Media or when the page uses a Half Map layout.
On these pages, the map and property list are connected.
The map shows pins for the listings loaded on that page.
Because of this, the map zoom can be adjusted automatically by the theme to fit the loaded pins.
How Auto Zoom Works
Auto zoom is used when the map must fit the property pins from the current list or search results.
This means:
- The theme loads the properties for the current page.
- The theme loads the map pins for those properties.
- The map adjusts the view so the loaded pins fit inside the map.
When auto zoom is active, the manual zoom value from Theme Options or page options can be ignored.
This can happen on:
- Advanced Search Results page
- Properties List pages
- Taxonomy pages
- City pages
- Area pages
- Category pages
- Half Map layouts
This is why a normal homepage Hero Media map and a city/category page map can show a different zoom.
The homepage uses the saved Hero Media zoom.
The city/category page can auto-zoom based on the property pins shown on that page.
Pagination and Map Pins
Pagination affects the pins shown on list, category, taxonomy, and search results maps.
The map usually follows the properties loaded on the current page.
Example:
- A city has 80 properties.
- The page shows 20 properties per page.
- The map shows pins for the properties loaded on page 1.
- More pins appear when the visitor goes to page 2, page 3, and so on.
Check the number of properties shown per page from:
Theme Options > General > Lists Layout & Sidebar
Also check:
Settings > Reading > Blog pages show at most
Keep these values aligned to avoid pagination differences.
Also check the maximum number of pins allowed on the map from:
Theme Options > Map > Number of Maps Pins Settings
The map pin limit should be equal to or higher than the number of properties shown per page.
Example:
- If the list shows 20 properties per page, set the map pin limit to 20 or higher.
- If the list shows 40 properties per page, set the map pin limit to 40 or higher.
What to Check
For Homepage or Any Normal Page Hero Media Map
Check:
- Edit the page.
- Confirm Select The Hero Header Media Type is set to Maps.
- Set Maps – Center point Latitude.
- Set Maps – Center point Longitude.
- Set Zoom Level for maps.
- Use a lower zoom value if the map is too close.
- Update the page.
- Clear cache and test again.
For City, Area, Category, or Taxonomy Pages
Check:
- Make sure properties are assigned to that taxonomy term.
- Make sure the properties are published.
- Make sure the properties have latitude and longitude saved.
- Check how many properties show per page.
- Check the maximum number of map pins allowed.
- If file reading for pins is enabled, regenerate map pins.
- Clear cache and test again.
For Advanced Search Results or Properties List Pages
Check:
- Make sure the search/list page returns the expected properties.
- Check if filters are excluding listings.
- Check how many properties show per page.
- Check the maximum number of map pins allowed.
- Remember that the map can follow the current page of results.
- Clear cache and test again.
Important Notes
- The homepage map is the same type of map as Hero Media Maps on any normal page.
- Hero Media is the visual area below the header/menu and above the page content.
- Global Hero Media is managed from Theme Options > Header > Hero Media.
- A normal page can override Global Hero Media from its own page options.
- Normal page Hero Media maps use the saved center point and zoom value.
- Category, city, area, taxonomy, property list, and search results maps can auto-zoom based on the pins loaded on the current page.
- When auto zoom is active, the manual zoom value can be ignored.
- Pagination affects which listings and pins are loaded.
- The maximum number of map pins should be equal to or higher than the number of properties shown per page.
- After changing map settings, clear theme cache, plugin cache, server/CDN cache, and browser cache.