If your website uses the WordPress content management system (CMS), you’ll be happy to learn about the features in the latest release, called Gutenberg 9.2
In this article, I’ll cover some of them in detail.
Stronger Security
One welcome feature: a security fix.
The latest version eliminates a nasty vulnerability that allowed bad guys to launch a Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) attack on your website.
That just sounds bad, even to people who don’t know what it means.
In fact, it is bad. It can overload your CPU.
But you don’t have to worry about that threat any more.
Image Alt Text Fallback
If you’re serious about SEO, then you probably already understand the importance of using alt text in your images. And you also know that it’s a pain.
The new WordPress update includes something called an alt text fallback option. It uses your caption as the alt text.
So you have to do less work.
Still, if you have the time, it’s probably best to create an alt text that’s distinct from the caption.
Video Subtitles
Gutenberg 9.2 includes video subtitle support.
That’s going to be a nice feature for your visitors who are hard of hearing or who browse your site in an environment where they can’t turn up the volume.
Check out the video media workspace for a new option to add subtitles to your videos.
Information Panel Enhancements
The new WordPress update also includes updates to the information panel.
If you’re unfamiliar with the information panel, it displays stats about the current document, such as the word count and the number of headings.
WordPress Improvements on Info Panel
Now, the display uses columns instead of rows.
Keep in mind, though, that WordPress developers continue to optimize the information panel. What you’ll see in the latest version represents a transitional state to the ultimate deliverable.
Stay tuned.
Template Information Dropdown
That latest WordPress also includes a new template information dropdown. It shows you the name and description of the template you’re currently using.
It’s pretty basic, though.
Still, nice info to have at your fingertips.
Layout Change
If you’re a WordPress power user, then you probably love the ability to create your own layouts. The WordPress Gutenberg 9.2 update gives you another option if you like column-based layouts.
Now, you can create a single-column layout.
Use that option if you’d prefer to create something with no sidebars.
According to WordPress developers, the single-column layout “will make building more robust column-based layouts easier. Instead of relying on switching between using Columns and Group blocks, single column functionality within a Columns block makes building interesting layouts easier and faster.”
Columns Block Example: WordPress
Distraction-Free Writing
Gutenberg 9.2 also includes distraction-free writing. It’s an enhancement to the “spotlight mode” of previous versions that hides editing tools and removes some styling effects.
With distraction-free writing, you can focus like a laser on a specific block you’re editing.
Experimental Improvements
The latest WordPress Gutenberg 9.2 update also shows off some experimental enhancements. As the name implies, these updates might not hang around forever.
One of the experiments involves updating how block interfaces work. Another adds Custom Post Types support in Query block.
The site editor experiments include a page switcher and a template switcher that you can access from the left-hand navigation panel.
Wrapping It Up
WordPress is the most popular CMS in the world. One of the reasons for that is because its developers keep making improvements.
If you haven’t upgraded to the latest WordPress yet, why not check out some of the new features today? Then, talk to your development team about whether the time is right to get the Gutenberg 9.2.
