WordPress News & Coverage
WordPress has signed the Open Weights and American AI Leadership Letter, a policy statement asking US policymakers not to place early restrictions on open-weight artificial intelligence models. The announcement, published on August 27, 2026 by WordPress Executive Director Mary Hubbard, does not add an AI feature to WordPress, change the software’s licensing, or require site […]
WordPress 7.1, code-named “Mary Lou,” shipped to the public on August 19, 2026. Following the AI-led foundations of WordPress 7.0, this release is a quieter, more practical update for site owners and agencies: faster media handling, per-device responsive controls in Global Styles, a public SVG icon system, and plumbing that helps AI agents and external […]
WordPress 7.1 changes an important part of the media workflow: when the browser can support it, image compression, resizing, format conversion, rotation, and thumbnail generation happen on the client before files reach the server. For site owners, that can reduce server-side image work. For plugin and theme developers, it changes which hooks run and where […]
WordPress 7.1 brings major developer-centric changes including client-side media processing, improved accessibility, enhanced Abilities API, and expanded Global Styles. This field guide breaks down the technical and operational impact for WordPress professionals.
WordPress 7.1 will introduce client-side media processing using wasm-vips, shifting image resizing and encoding tasks to users' browsers. This reduces server load and supports modern formats like AVIF and HEIC. Testing is open to ensure performance and compatibility before release.
WordPress 7.0.1 is scheduled for release in July 2026 as a focused maintenance update addressing bugs from the 7.0 cycle. This article breaks down the release timeline, the scope of fixes, and what agencies and developers should do to prepare.
WordCamp Europe 2026 in Kraków will spotlight WordPress’s growing institutional adoption, AI integration, SEO evolution, accessibility, and security. This analysis unpacks keynotes, sessions, and practical implications for agencies, developers, and site operators.
WordPress 7.1 hides the Classic block from the inserter by default to accelerate block editor adoption. Existing Classic blocks stay editable, but new insertions are discouraged to improve editor consistency and performance. Developers can opt back in via a filter or plugin.
WordPress 7.1 hides the Classic block from the block editor inserter by default, encouraging block-first content creation while maintaining full compatibility with existing Classic block content and the Classic Editor plugin.
WordPress 7.1, releasing August 19, 2026, focuses on improving collaboration with Notes enhancements, expanding styling options in the Site Editor, and introducing editorial Guidelines that integrate with AI tools. Media handling and developer APIs also receive significant updates.
