Allowing users to bookmark or favorite posts is one of the most requested features in content-rich apps. Whether it’s for saving blog posts, news articles, or tutorials, bookmarks add convenience and personalization that keep users engaged.

If your Flutter app is powered by a WordPress backend, you can absolutely build this — using a combination of REST API, local storage, or custom endpoints.

Why Offer Bookmarks or Favorites?

• User Personalization: Let users curate their own content experience.

• Easy Navigation: Saved posts can be quickly revisited later.

• Offline Access: Optionally cache bookmarked content for offline reading.

• User Retention: Encourages deeper engagement and return visits.

Two Bookmarking Approaches: Local vs Server-Side

Depending on your app’s complexity and whether users log in, there are two main ways to implement bookmarks:

Option 1: Local Bookmarks (Device-Only)

Bookmarks are saved locally on the user’s device using tools like SharedPreferences, Hive, or Drift.

How It Works:

• User taps a “bookmark” icon on a post.

• The post ID or object is saved locally.

• A separate screen lists all saved bookmarks from local storage.

Pros:

• Simple to implement

• No authentication required

• Works offline

Cons:

• Doesn’t sync across devices

• Cleared if the app is uninstalled

Option 2: Server-Side Bookmarks (User-Linked)

Bookmarks are stored in WordPress via a custom REST API endpoint or user meta data. This requires user authentication and works best in logged-in environments.

How It Works:

• Flutter app sends an authenticated request to WordPress (e.g., /wp-json/myapp/v1/bookmark)

• The server saves the post ID under the user’s record (user meta or custom post type)

• The app fetches the user’s saved bookmarks on login or request

Pros:

• Syncs across devices

• Bookmarks persist after app reinstall

• Enables features like favorites count or “popular saved posts”

Cons:

• Requires login/authentication

• Needs custom development on the WordPress backend

UX Design Ideas

• Add a bookmark icon (star, heart, ribbon) on each post card

• Include a “My Bookmarks” section in the app menu or dashboard

• Sync bookmarks during login or refresh

• Allow users to remove bookmarks with a long press or swipe

Backend Strategies for WordPress (if going server-side)

• User Meta: Store an array of bookmarked post IDs per user

• Custom REST Endpoint: Create endpoints like:

  • POST /bookmark → Save bookmark

  • DELETE /bookmark → Remove bookmark

  • GET /bookmarks → Fetch user’s saved posts

• Custom Post Type: Use a “Favorites” post type tied to authorship and permissions