Signature

apply_filters( 'mam_gd_date_format', string $format );

Returns: string — the format to use. You must return a non-empty string.

Purpose

Customises how the plugin renders date strings on event cards, calendar entries, and the start_end_dates / start_end_times fields on the listing detail screen. The same format is used wherever a date is rendered for the app — there is no per-card override.

When it runs

Three call sites:

• mam_geodirectory_content::get_data_for_app() — once per request, before the per-listing loop.
• mam_gd_content_blocks::mam_content_section_events — once per event card on a listing’s events section.
• mam_gd_content_blocks::* — when building a card’s date_label.

Each call site reads mam_gd_date_format option as the default and lets the filter override.

Default values

'M d'

The admin can change the default under Mobile App Manager → Geodirectory → Settings → Date format for layouts and cards?. The dropdown offers M d, Y, d M, Y, Y-m-d, d-m-Y, Y/m/d, d/m/Y, m/d/Y.

Examples

Always use ISO format

add_filter( 'mam_gd_date_format', static fn () => 'Y-m-d' );

Use the WordPress site default

add_filter( 'mam_gd_date_format', static fn () => get_option( 'date_format' ) ?: 'M d' );

Per-locale formatting

add_filter( 'mam_gd_date_format', 'my_app_locale_date_format' );

function my_app_locale_date_format( $format ) {
    $locale = determine_locale();
    if ( str_starts_with( $locale, 'fr' ) ) {
        return 'd/m/Y';
    }
    if ( str_starts_with( $locale, 'ja' ) ) {
        return 'Y-m-d';
    }
    return $format;
}

Gotchas

• Format applies to every event display. A short format like 'M d' truncates years; 'M d, Y' adds them back. Pick one that’s unambiguous for your audience.
• Runs frequently. Multiple call sites fire this filter many times per request. Keep the callback constant-time.
• Locale-sensitive formats. PHP’s date() doesn’t localise month names; use wp_date() upstream if you need that, or transform the rendered string after.
• Empty return breaks rendering. Always return a valid date() format string.

Verification

This article was last verified against:

• Plugin: mam-geodirectory v2.1.5
• Source: content-classes/local-app-geodirectory-v2-class.php (line 498)
• Source: includes/mam_gd_content_blocks.php (lines 269, 778)

Re-verify whenever the call sites are renamed, the option key (mam_gd_date_format) changes, or the dropdown’s choice list in the admin settings page changes.

Related articles

• Plugin: mam-geodirectory
• Listing detail content sections
• Mobile listing data shape
• Hook: mam_geodirectory_event_card

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