10 min read
WordPress continues to evolve with regular core updates, and WordPress 6.9 is no exception. This version introduces a range of improvements focused on performance, stability, and long-term maintainability, affecting both site owners and developers. This guide provides an overview of WordPress 6.9 features, core changes, and key considerations to help you prepare for a smooth and secure upgrade.
An overview of new blocks in WordPress 6.9Link to heading
Each of the new blocks introduced in WordPress 6.9 is designed to simplify how you work in the editor, improve content clarity, and enhance the overall user experience without relying on external plugins. These blocks focus on efficiency and flexibility, allowing you to structure information more effectively while maintaining full creative control directly within the WordPress editor.
Accordion blockLink to heading
The Accordion block allows you to create expandable and collapsible content sections, making it easier for users to navigate information in a clean, organized, and interactive format. This is especially useful for FAQs, feature breakdowns, or any content that benefits from being hidden until needed.
The Accordion block consists of three main elements. The Accordion Item acts as the parent container that holds each section of content. Inside it, the Accordion Heading is where you enter the clickable title or question that users interact with. Below that, the Accordion Panel contains the actual content that expands when the heading is selected.
To add an Accordion block, you insert it from the block editor just like any other block. Once added, you will see two primary areas: the Accordion Heading, where you define the label or question, and the Accordion Panel, where you place your content. The setup is intuitive and requires no additional configuration to get started.
One of the most notable advantages of the Accordion block is its flexibility. The Accordion Panel supports all other block types, allowing you to build rich layouts instead of being limited to plain text. For example, you can insert a two-column layout that combines text with images or other visual elements. This approach helps create more engaging content and encourages users to interact with the page rather than simply scroll past it.
Terms query blockLink to heading
WordPress 6.9 also introduces the Terms Query block, a powerful tool that enables you to display taxonomy-based content dynamically. With this block, you can show the title, post count, and description of posts grouped by categories, tags, or any custom taxonomy available on your site.
In a practical example, consider a site with three categories: Female, Male, and Uncategorized. The Terms Query block can be configured to display how many posts belong to each category, along with the category description when one is available. In this case, only the “Female” category includes a description, and the block automatically displays it without requiring manual updates.
When you add the Terms Query block, the editor first prompts you to choose between two layout variations. These variations determine how the taxonomy terms are presented, and they can be modified or expanded even after the block has been placed on the page, offering flexibility as your design evolves.
From the block’s settings panel, you simply select Category from the taxonomy dropdown. Once configured, the block automatically pulls the relevant data from your site.
On the front end, visitors will see a structured list showing each category’s name, the number of posts assigned to it, and its description where applicable. All of this information updates dynamically as your content changes, ensuring accuracy and reducing the need for manual maintenance.
Time to read and word count blocksLink to heading
Many modern websites display estimated reading times to help readers know what to expect. WordPress now supports this natively with the new Time to Read block. This block is also transformable into a Word Count block using a toggle, giving you two metric options.
Both features can be displayed independently – you can choose to show only the reading time, or only the word count. Another option is to add both blocks to show both metrics – it all depends on your content strategy.
Math block Link to heading
WordPress now makes it easy to display complex math formulas using the new Math block. This feature supports both standalone mathematical expressions and inline math notation within regular text.
To use it, simply add the Math block and enter your formula in the provided text field. The block renders your equation cleanly, making it ideal for educational content, technical tutorials, or any content involving calculations.
New block features you’ll find in WordPress 6.9Link to heading
WordPress 6.9 introduces a wide range of new and refined blocks, expanding the capabilities of the block editor. Several of these blocks have been in development for an extended period and, until now, had not been included in an official release. This update brings those long-awaited improvements into the core experience, making content creation more flexible and collaborative.
Collaborating with Block NotesLink to heading
With the launch of the Notes feature, WordPress offers its first clear example of how editorial collaboration will function within the platform. This update represents the early stage of Phase 3 - Collaboration in the Gutenberg Project, adding asynchronous commenting directly inside the block editor.
The Notes feature allows administrators and editors to add threaded comments, known as Notes, to any individual block. This system works in a similar way to comments in Google Docs, enabling the entire editorial team to view feedback, respond to suggestions, and take action without leaving the editor interface.
For example, a note can be added to the first paragraph by using the block’s options menu, which is accessible from the list view. Once the note option is selected, the right-hand sidebar changes to display a comment field where feedback can be entered.
An editor might leave a note such as “Change font to Georgia,” which other team members can then review and apply. Notes remain flexible, as they can be edited or removed at any point during the editing process.
When an image block is selected, the toolbar shows Gravatar icons representing team members who have added comments. Clicking on these icons opens the Notes sidebar, where threaded conversations related to that specific block are displayed.
If a page contains several Notes across different blocks, the sidebar automatically filters the view to show only the comments associated with the currently selected block, such as the image block in this case.
The Notes feature is supported on pages, posts, and custom post types. Team members are notified by email whenever a new Note is added. These notifications can be disabled by navigating to Settings → Discussion and unchecking the option labeled “Anyone posts a note.”
Hide blocks from viewLink to heading
One of the most anticipated improvements has finally been added: the ability to hide individual blocks on the front end of a WordPress website. This feature is especially helpful when you are experimenting with page layouts, testing different content ideas, or working together with a team. Instead of deleting blocks or moving them elsewhere, you can now temporarily remove them from public view while keeping them in the editor.
Any block can be hidden directly from the block toolbar or through the List View. In the example shown, the List View is used to hide an image block. After a block is hidden, an eye icon with a diagonal line appears next to it in the List View, clearly indicating that the block will not be displayed on the live website.
A common concern is whether hiding a block creates empty space or visible gaps on the front end. When you preview or view the page on the live site, you will see that hidden blocks do not leave behind blank areas. The block is completely removed from the visual layout, allowing the surrounding content to adjust naturally.
If you decide to display the block again, you can easily restore it by clicking the eye icon in the toolbar or selecting the Show option from the block’s settings in the List View. While this first release focuses on basic hiding functionality, future updates may introduce more advanced controls, such as showing or hiding blocks based on screen size, device type, or specific dates for scheduled content.
Overall, this feature enables more flexible workflows and encourages content experimentation directly within the block editor.
Stretchy text blocksLink to heading
WordPress 6.9 also introduces new companion blocks for Headings and Paragraphs, designed to make responsive text easier to manage. These “stretchy” text blocks automatically adjust their size to fit different screen widths, helping maintain consistent readability across devices.
In practice, you can begin with a standard Heading block and then convert it into a Stretchy Heading using the block transformation options. Once converted, the text automatically scales within its container, removing the need for manual adjustments on different screen sizes.
When using stretchy text blocks, the option to manually define a font size is no longer available. Instead, font scaling is handled automatically by the system, ensuring that the text remains responsive and visually balanced on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
New HTML element for the Button blockLink to heading
Another notable update in WordPress 6.9 improves the semantic structure of buttons. In the Advanced settings of the Button block, you can now choose to use a <button> element instead of the default <a> (anchor) tag.
This change addresses a frequent accessibility concern where buttons are incorrectly implemented as links. When the wrong HTML element is used, screen readers may interpret the interaction incorrectly, which can confuse users who rely on assistive technologies.
By allowing creators to select the correct HTML element based on the intended action, WordPress promotes better accessibility and more semantically accurate markup. This enhancement helps ensure that websites are not only functional, but also inclusive and aligned with modern web standards.
What further changes can you expect in WordPress 6.9?Link to heading
WordPress has done more than simply add new blocks. It has also refined existing ones with practical improvements that make them easier and more flexible to use. These small but meaningful updates enhance how users build layouts, manage structure, and interact with content across their websites, resulting in a smoother and more efficient editing experience.
Create draft pages directly from the Navigation blockLink to heading
WordPress 6.9 introduces a useful enhancement that allows you to create a draft page straight from the Navigation block. This feature is particularly helpful when planning a site’s structure and adding menu items for pages that have not yet been created.
To use it, click the Plus (+) icon and select the Create page option from the Navigation menu dropdown.
A dialog box will appear where you can enter the page title. You also have the option to publish the page immediately, but keeping it as a draft is usually safer to avoid displaying an empty or unfinished page.
After the page is created, WordPress automatically adds it to your navigation menu as a draft link. You can then go to the Pages section in the WordPress dashboard, open the draft, and start building the content.
Keep in mind that draft pages are not visible to visitors. The link will only appear in the live navigation menu once the page is published.
Improved accessibility for the Command PaletteLink to heading
The Command Palette is no longer limited to block themes. In WordPress 6.9, it is now available for classic themes and can be accessed from anywhere within the WordPress Admin area.
To open it, press Cmd + K on macOS or Ctrl + K on Windows. From there, you can quickly move through the dashboard, search for settings, or perform actions such as creating a new post or page.
For users who prefer keyboard navigation, this expanded access significantly improves workflow efficiency and reduces the need for repetitive clicking.
If you are unsure what commands are available, simply type any letter to see a list of actions that begin with that character.
Control block usage inside container blocksLink to heading
Designed with teams and reusable patterns in mind, the new Allowed Blocks feature gives you control over which blocks can be used inside specific container blocks, such as Group, Column, or Cover blocks.
To configure this setting:
- Select the container block.
- Open the Advanced panel in the right-hand sidebar and choose Manage allowed blocks.
- Uncheck the blocks you want to prevent from being used inside that container.
This feature is especially valuable for maintaining design consistency across templates and ensuring that team members follow predefined layout rules when building or editing pages.
Core changes relevant to developersLink to heading
Below are several important changes in WordPress that take place behind the scenes and are not immediately visible in the user interface for most site builders. These updates focus mainly on improving the internal architecture of the platform and enhancing the development experience.
Abilities APILink to heading
WordPress 6.9 introduces the Abilities API, which provides a standardized way for WordPress core, themes, and plugins to clearly define what actions and capabilities they support. Instead of relying on custom or inconsistent approaches, developers can now use a shared framework to communicate functionality.
This creates more consistent, secure, and scalable systems, particularly for advanced use cases such as AI-powered features or collaborative tools where clarity and permission handling are critical.
Additional API and developer-focused improvementsLink to heading
Alongside the Abilities API, WordPress 6.9 includes several technical enhancements aimed at expanding what developers can build and how efficiently they can do so.
The Interactivity API now supports a fetch priority set to low, giving developers more control over when scripts are loaded and helping improve performance by reducing competition for critical resources. The Block Bindings API introduces a new filter that defines which block attributes can be dynamically connected to data sources.
This improvement applies to both core blocks and custom blocks, making dynamic content handling more flexible and predictable. In addition, WordPress 6.9 removes outdated support code related to Internet Explorer conditional scripts and styles, resulting in cleaner script enqueueing and a more modern codebase.
Should you update to WordPress 6.9 immediately?Link to heading
Deciding whether to update to WordPress 6.9 right away depends on your specific needs, the complexity of your website, and how critical stability is to your operations. While updating early can bring advantages, it also comes with potential risks if done without proper preparation.
Pros of early updatesLink to heading
Updating to WordPress 6.9 soon after release offers several benefits:
- Access to new features: You’ll be able to use the latest blocks, improved editor tools, and collaboration features as soon as they are available.
- Security improvements: Core updates often include patches that protect against vulnerabilities. Updating early helps ensure your site stays secure.
- Performance enhancements: Optimizations in WordPress 6.9 can improve loading times and overall site responsiveness, especially for sites using modern themes and plugins.
- Compatibility with updated plugins/themes: Popular plugins and themes typically adjust to major WordPress releases quickly. Early updating ensures you can benefit from the most current integrations.
>>> See more: The most common WordPress core vulnerabilities
Risks of rushingLink to heading
Despite the benefits, updating immediately can pose challenges:
- Plugin or theme conflicts: Not all third-party plugins and custom themes may be fully compatible with WordPress 6.9 at launch, which can lead to broken layouts or lost functionality.
- Unexpected bugs: Even well-tested releases may cause unforeseen issues on specific hosting environments or unique site setups.
- Workflow disruptions: If your site is critical to business operations, any downtime or unexpected behavior can impact users or revenue.
Who should waitLink to heading
Delaying the update might be the better choice for certain situations:
- Large or complex sites: Websites with custom code, extensive plugins, or bespoke themes may benefit from waiting until compatibility is confirmed.
- Business-critical platforms: Sites that cannot afford risk, such as e-commerce stores or membership portals, should schedule testing before updating.
- Sites without recent backups or staging environments: If you do not have a reliable backup system or a staging site for testing, wait until these safeguards are in place.
>>> Not prepared for the latest WordPress update? W7SFW helps protect your site while you plan your next move.
ConclusionLink to heading
Rather than being just another routine update, WordPress 6.9 reflects a clear long-term direction for the platform. It improves everyday workflows for content creators through smarter blocks, better visibility controls, and early collaboration features, while also strengthening the technical foundation that developers rely on.
These changes support more flexible site structures, improved accessibility, and modern development practices without increasing complexity for end users. Whether you manage a small business website or a complex WordPress project, preparing properly for WordPress 6.9 ensures a smoother upgrade process and positions your site to benefit from ongoing improvements as WordPress moves further into its collaboration-focused future.
