---
title: How to Configure Guest Wishlists and Their Expiration
description: Let guests save WooCommerce wishlists, and set where guest data is stored and how long it is kept.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/guest-wishlist-expiration/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: How to
---

# How to Configure Guest Wishlists and Their Expiration

To configure guest wishlists in Wishlist for WooCommerce, go to WPFactory > Wishlist, open the Advanced tab, choose a Guest user data type (Cookie by default, or WooCommerce Session), set the Expire time and Unit (default 1 month), and save. Try WooCommerce Session if you have caching issues.

### Step-by-step setup

1. Go to **WPFactory > Wishlist** (also reachable at **WooCommerce > Settings > Wishlist**).
2. Open the **Advanced** tab.
3. Set **Guest user data type** and the guest expiration options as described below.
4. Save changes.

### Options

| Label | Option ID | Default |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Guest user data type (Cookie or WooCommerce Session) | `alg_wc_wl_guest_user_data_type` | Cookie |
| Expire time | `alg_wc_wl_guest_user_expire_time_number` | 1 |
| Unit (Days, Weeks, Months, Years) | `alg_wc_wl_guest_user_expire_time_unit` | Months |

### Which data type to choose

- **Cookie** (default): the guest wishlist is tied to a browser cookie. Works well for most stores.
- **WooCommerce Session**: try this if you have caching issues, since it stores the guest reference in the WooCommerce session instead of a cookie.

**Note:** guest wishlist data is stored as transients and cookies, so it can be cleared before the expiration time by an object cache or server-side cleanup. Encourage guests to create an account to keep their lists permanently.

### Related

To let guests actually use the buttons, check **Buttons > Interaction with unlogged Users**, where `alg_wc_wl_allow_unlogged` controls whether guests can add or remove items.

### Need a hand?

Our team answers every ticket on the [Wishlist for WooCommerce support forum](https://wpfactory.com/support/item/wish-list-woocommerce/).

Related articles

- [How to Modify and Product Pages for Wishlist Reporting](https://wpfactory.com/docs/modify-user-product/)
- [Translating WooCommerce Wishlist Texts for a Personal Touch](https://wpfactory.com/docs/translate-woocommerce-wishlist/)
- [Adding Wishlist Columns During Product Import and Export in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/wishlist-columns-import-export/)
- [Customizing Wishlist Popup Icons in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/customize-popup-icons/)
- [Customizing Social Icons Color on Wishlist Page in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/customize-social-icons/)