So What’s new in WordPress? Let’s start with a simple question a client asked me recently:
In the context of what’s new in wordpress, many users have adapted to recent updates.
“Has anything actually changed in WordPress in the last couple of years?”
As we explore what’s new in wordpress, it’s important to note the user feedback on changes.
I took a long sip of my coffee, stared at the screen like it owed me money, and said: “You have no idea.”
Many are asking what’s new in wordpress, and the answer lies in the updates made recently.
Whether you’re a developer or just curious about what’s new in wordpress, there’s plenty to learn.
Because, yes. A lot has changed. Quietly, sometimes clumsily, WordPress has been reinventing itself—not with a bang, but with a deeply strategic pivot. And if you build, design, or depend on WordPress to run your business, the last two years deserve your attention.
Part of grasping what’s new in wordpress involves keeping up with the latest features.
This is the story of where WordPress is headed. And whether you’re using DIVI, Elementor, Bricks, or hanging on to the scorched remains of Oxygen, you’re part of this ride.

This overview will cover what’s new in wordpress and how it affects users.
Understanding what’s new in wordpress will help you adapt your strategies effectively.
As we analyze what’s new in wordpress, consider how these changes can enhance your site.
With each update, there are new features that highlight what’s new in wordpress.
The Rise of the Blockverse
Two years ago, Full Site Editing (FSE) felt like a beta test that had wandered into production. Today, it’s the future of WordPress. Like it or not.
What’s New in WordPress: An Overview
The Site Editor now lets you click and edit your headers, footers, and layouts in a way that used to require digging through PHP or hacking together widgets. You can thank the block theme revolution for that—where layout, color, typography, and global styles are controlled by a single source of truth: theme.json
.
Developers grumbled. Designers hesitated. But the truth? This is Gutenberg growing up. And it’s starting to show its teeth.
Speed Kills (in a Good Way)
Reflecting on what’s new in wordpress, it’s evident that performance is a key focus area.
What else changed? Speed. Not the Red Bull kind. The Google/Core Web Vitals kind.
Performance updates rolled into WordPress core like slow, deliberate freight trains:
- Lazy-loading everything that isn’t nailed down
- Smarter handling of WebP and AVIF images
- Built-in script loading strategies (
async
,defer
, and friends) - A new Interactivity API in beta that hints at React-style behaviors without forcing you into the headless frontier
Bottom line: WordPress is learning to fight like a modern CMS, and the war it’s fighting is for performance, interactivity, and clean architecture.

For those following what’s new in wordpress, the enhancements are significant.
The direction of what’s new in wordpress indicates a promising future for developers.
As we navigate what’s new in wordpress, we can see developers adapting quickly.
DIVI 5: A Rebuild, Not a Redesign
If you’ve spent any time with DIVI, you know what it’s like to love and loathe something at the same time.
The good news? DIVI 5 is here—or at least peeking over the fence in beta form. It’s a full rewrite using a React engine. The shortcode soup is gone. Performance is better. It’s modular. And for the first time, it feels like DIVI could actually grow up.
That said, it’s still rolling out. If you’re on a production site and hoping for plug-and-play perfection… don’t.
But if you’ve always wished DIVI would act like a modern builder without losing its creative freedom—your wish might finally be coming true.
Bricks Builder: Where Developers Go When They Get Fed Up
Let’s talk about Bricks—the builder that went from indie darling to serious contender faster than you can say “Elementor bloat.”
Bricks does something rare: it respects developers and designers equally. You get:
Staying informed about what’s new in wordpress can give you a competitive edge.
Recognizing what’s new in wordpress allows you to better serve your clients and users.
- Clean HTML output
- Support for ACF, Meta Box, and dynamic content
- Full control over queries, conditionals, loops
- The ability to write PHP and JavaScript inside the builder
It’s performant. It’s lean. It doesn’t hijack your front-end. And best of all? It doesn’t talk down to you.
More and more pros are quietly jumping ship from Oxygen and Elementor into Bricks. Why? Because it lets them build real sites that scale—without fighting the tool.
Elementor: Still Reigning, But the Ground is Shaking
Let’s not kid ourselves—Elementor is still the biggest player in the room. And over the last couple of years, it’s pushed hard to modernize:
- Container-based layouts (finally, goodbye columns)
- Built-in Loop Builder
- AI tools for content and image generation
- Global styles 2.0
It’s slick. It’s fast. But it’s also… Elementor. Under the hood, it still relies heavily on shortcodes and a proprietary structure that can feel like building with Jenga blocks: powerful, but risky at scale.
If you’re running quick campaigns, MVPs, or sites for less technical teams—Elementor still delivers. But if you’re optimizing for performance, SEO, and long-term stability, you’ll start to feel the edges.
As we discuss what’s new in wordpress, keep in mind the impact on SEO strategies.
Ultimately, knowing what’s new in wordpress can redefine your approach to website building.
Oxygen 6: Still Breathing, But For How Long?
Once the darling of developer-led WordPress builds, Oxygen now feels like a ghost in its own house.
Version 6 brought UI tweaks and improvements, but not enough to resolve deeper concerns:
- Legacy shortcodes and content lock-in
- Confusing theming controls
- A shrinking ecosystem
Meanwhile, its spiritual sibling Breakdance tries to lure the no-code crowd, but the community has split.
If you’re deeply invested in Oxygen, there’s still power there. But if you’re just arriving to the WordPress builder party, you probably won’t stay long.

So… What’s the Takeaway?
Here’s what the last two years have taught us:
WordPress is no longer a hobbyist platform.
It’s a professional CMS in transition.
You can build faster, cleaner, more dynamic sites than ever before—but only if you pick the right tools and understand the landscape.
If you’re a developer:
Bricks and block themes are your new best friends.
If you’re a designer:
DIVI 5 and Elementor’s container system still let you play, but the future’s moving toward standards.
If you’re a business owner or agency:
Focus on performance, maintainability, and tools that don’t lock you in.
Final Word: The Builders You Should Be Watching
Tool | Best For | Caution |
---|---|---|
Bricks | Devs who want power + performance | Smaller ecosystem (for now) |
DIVI 5 | Visual-first sites with legacy clients | Still maturing |
Elementor | Quick builds, MVPs, marketing sites | Bloated if you’re not careful |
Oxygen 6 | Advanced devs who already know its quirks | Aging, niche community |
Gutenberg | Long-term lean builds and editorial control | Not ideal for everyone yet |
If you haven’t checked in on WordPress since 2022, now’s the time. The platform has changed. The builders have changed. And your strategy should change too.
Because what worked in 2020 might just be what’s holding you back in 2025.