#233 - Proposal For New Blocks, Test Team Call For Nominations, WooCommerce 10.1 Released

Issue #233 | August 19, 2025 | Reading time: 15 mins

Hello!

This week on The WP Week Newsletter, we cover the proposal to introduce new blocks, call for nominations for the Test Team, WooCommerce 10.1 release, new projects, and more.

Don’t forget to subscribe and listen to the podcast version of this newsletter, where you can hear more details and discussions about these topics and more.

See you next week!

Team WP-CONTENT.CO

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🗣️TALK OF THE TOWN

Proposal: New Block Additions for the Block Library

Matías Ventura has proposed new block additions for the block library, and the suggested additions include Icons, Playlist, Slider/Carousel, Stretchy Text, Tabs, Accordion, Mega Menus, MathML, Marquee, Table of Contents, Time to Read, Breadcrumbs, and Dialog blocks, alongside improvements to block library management.

📰 WORDPRESS & AROUND

All the updates around WordPress and its closely related technologies

Test Team Reps: Call for nominations

The WordPress Test Team is calling for nominations for new Team Reps, open until September 12, 2025. Reps support the team by running chats, posting updates, promoting testing opportunities, helping contributors, and ensuring smooth collaboration across the project.

What’s new in Gutenberg 21.4: The latest version brings improvements to DataViews, style shuffling in write mode, and various other enhancements and bug fixes.
What’s new for developers?: The August 2025 WordPress developer update highlights progress toward 6.9 with site editor, performance, and admin redesign improvements, potential expansion of the Core block library, deeper theme.json control, customizable block bindings, AI building blocks, and so on.
WP.com simplification: WordPress.com is running a summer special until August 25, 2025, in which all paid plans now include full WP.cloud features such as unlimited plugins, themes, and custom code starting at $4/month.
Multiple critical vulnerabilities patched in WP Job Portal Plugin: An unauthenticated arbitrary file download vulnerability and an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability were recently patched. Users are to update to the latest version immediately.
40,000 WordPress sites affected by arbitrary file read vulnerability in UiCore Elements WordPress plugin: The vulnerability makes it possible for an unauthenticated attacker to read arbitrary files on the server, which can contain sensitive information was patched recently.
WooCommerce 10.1 released: WooCommerce 10.1 released on Aug 12, 2025 introduces a faster, more accessible checkout experience with improved loading states, streamlined direct bank transfer setup, two new product collection options, and so on.
ChatGPT-5 now connects to Gmail, Calendar, and Contacts: OpenAI announced that it has added connectors to Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Contacts for ChatGPT Plus users, enabling ChatGPT to use data from those apps within ChatGPT chats.
Google Gemini adds personalization from past chats: Google is rolling out updates to the Gemini app that personalize responses using past conversations and add new privacy controls, including a Temporary Chat mode.
Google: Invalid ad traffic from deceptive serving down 40%: Google reports a 40% reduction in invalid traffic from deceptive or disruptive serving. Google now reviews content, placements, and interactions more precisely. Advertisers are not charged for invalid traffic, with credits applied after detection.

👥 COMMUNITY NEWS

Updates and News from the WordPress Community

Introducing the WordCamp Creators Studio

WordCamp US 2025 is launching its first on-site Creators Studio in Portland, offering attendees bookable slots to record podcasts, interviews, and creative content. Available August 28–29, the studio provides A/V support and equipment, with limited spaces allocated on a first-come basis to amplify community voices.

Rocket.net ranks 167 on 2025 Inc. 5000: Rocket.net debuted at No. 167 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list, with 2,320% three-year revenue growth, making it the fastest-growing managed WordPress hosting company in the U.S. Founded in 2020. Rocket.net also appointed Jessica Frick as General Manager recently.
2025 MarTech Breakthrough Awards announced: WP Engine has been named as the best overall web hosting service, and Bluehost has been named as the best e-commerce web platform. Additionally, Omnisend has been recognized as the best overall email marketing company.
Cloudways Copilot is now available: Cloudways has launched Cloudways Copilot, an AI-powered assistant that provides real-time server insights, root cause analysis, and one-click automated fixes through its SmartFix feature. Designed to cut issue resolution time from 30–40 minutes to about 5–6 minutes, Copilot helps agencies and developers manage multiple sites more efficiently.
WP Webhooks reaches a new milestone: The plugin now has over 20,000 active installs.
Another milestone reached for WP Social Login and Register Social Counter plugin: The plugin now has over 40,000+ active installs.
Groundhogg CRM is now back in the plugin repository: The Groundhogg CRM plugin is now available in the repository after being closed last week by the Plugin Team for trademark infringement.
BlaBlaBlocks Tabs Block is now open source: The recently released plugin, built specifically for the Block Editor, allowing users to create responsive tabs effortlessly, is now available on GitHub.
FlyingPress 5.1 released: FlyingPress 5.1 introduces Cloudflare Full Page Caching, allowing HTML pages to be cached at Cloudflare’s global edge locations for faster TTFB, reduced server load, and always-fresh content.
Kafle G has now reviewed 7000 themes: This milestone highlights efforts to raise theme quality, support authors, and strengthen the WordPress ecosystem. Looking ahead, the focus is on mentorship, collaboration, and inspiring more contributors in the open-source community.
Aaron Campbell has left hosting.com: Aaron Campbell announced his last day at hosting.com, reflecting on his journey from A2Hosting through its rebrand.
Aaron Jorbin seeks sponsorship for WordCamp US 2025: Aaron Jorbin, a WordPress core committer, is seeking sponsorship to attend WordCamp US 2025, where he’ll co-lead the Core Table on Contributor Day, help new and existing contributors, and organize in-person discussions with committers and the security team.

🚀 NEW PROJECTS

Announcing WP Wiki: A new community project by Michelle Frechette and Corey Mass, WP Wiki is a community-driven encyclopedia dedicated to all things WordPress. The wiki will host informative WordPress articles, highlight community contributions, and welcome users of all experience levels to build a shared knowledge base.
Introducing Groundworx GTM: The plugin created by Johanne Courtright allows users to add Google Tag Manager (GTM) to their WordPress site.
All new Menu Designer: A powerful new WordPress plugin that lets you build beautiful, responsive dropdown menus and mobile menus using the native block editor.
Introducing Hostinger Reach: A new all-in-one email marketing plugin, built for creators, small businesses, and website owners.
WP Admin Menu Cleaner: A lightweight Chrome extension that cleans up the WordPress admin menu by hiding non-core items while preserving the current page’s menu item.
All new SleekByte: This is an agentic code snippets plugin for WordPress created by Dennis.
Database Reset Pro: The plugin allows users to reset their WordPress database to its default state.
WLOGdotFM project: The website features AI-generated tunes for the community.

🔖 INTERESTING READS & PODCASTS

More posts and podcasts from the WordPress Community you don’t want to miss

Maintaining legacy support in WooCommerce and WordPress while building for the future: Hosts James Kemp and Katie Keith are joined by special guest Gary Pendergast, a veteran WordPress core contributor, to unravel the complexities of backwards compatibility in the WordPress ecosystem. From OpenChannels.fm.
In conversation with Winstina Hughes: Winstina Hughes, a longtime WordPress community leader, shares her journey from discovering WordPress as a Rutgers student to becoming a Meetup and WordCamp organizer. She reflects on her career in planning and transportation, and her commitment to diversity through her initiative Support Inclusion in Tech (SiNC), which empowers underrepresented voices in the WordPress space. From Seriously, Bud?
The rise of AI in the security space: Tim Nash discusses how AI is reshaping security threats. He explains how attackers now use AI to craft convincing phishing emails, exploit vulnerabilities faster, and generate malware at scale, while also offering practical advice for WordPress site owners on updates, layered security, and spotting scams. From WP Builds.
The case for WordPress: A platform built for builders: Maria Ansari argues that WordPress remains the best platform for builders because it’s open-source, community-driven, technically evolving, and offers freedom, flexibility, and ownership that closed platforms can’t match making it a strong foundation for long-term business growth. From WP Minute.
Bob Dunn on rebranding Do the Woo and growing openchannels.fm: BobWP, discusses rebranding his long-running Do the Woo podcast into Open Channels FM, expanding beyond WooCommerce to cover the open web, open source, and maker communities. From WP Tavern Jukebox.
Post Status Cache Up with Miriam Schwab: Michelle Frechette chats with Miriam Schwab, Head of WordPress at Elementor, about the company’s latest innovations. They discuss new products like the Image Optimizer, Site Mailer, Ally accessibility plugin, and Angie, Elementor’s AI assistant. From Post Status.
Judge denies Willman’s bid to join WP Engine v. Automattic case: U.S. District Court cites procedural rules, saying Willman can only pursue personal claims without legal counsel for his company, Redev. From The Repository.
WordCamp Canada 2025 is all about generational change, open web energy, and tinkering with what’s next: WordCamp Canada is back for its second year, and this time the focus is firmly on students, innovation, and the future of the open web. From The Repository.
First FAIR TSC election keeps Dils, Epstein, and McCue at the helm: The trio, who have led the Linux Foundation–backed project since March, will now begin staggered terms guiding its 33-member technical steering committee. From The Repository.
How AI summaries are changing web traffic patterns: Jon Ang explains how AI-generated summaries in search results are cutting web traffic sharply and that clickthrough rates have dropped nearly 80% and “zero-click” searches now reach 69%. From Human Made.
Funding open source like public infrastructure: Dries Buytaert argues that open source has evolved from volunteer-driven work to commercial support, and now must enter a third phase, government stewardship. Open Source powers much of the world’s critical infrastructure, valued at $8.8 trillion yet relies on a small group of underfunded contributors, creating fragility. From Dries Buytaert.
Turn Ideas into extensions with developer program: Marc Benzakein breaks down how the MainWP Developer Program helps WordPress plugin developers reach more site admins and build powerful add-ons that integrate directly with the MainWP dashboard. From MianWP.
9 Essential tools I use to run my WordPress ecommerce businesses (and what their purpose is): Florian Dee shares the 9 essential tools he relies on to run his WordPress ecommerce businesses, from Slack for team communication and FluentBoards for project management to Freemius for checkout, HelpScout for support, OttoKit for automation, and ChatGPT for everyday tasks. From Florian Dee.
Using a system font stack: What, why, how: David McCan explains system fonts, how to reference them in CSS, why you might want to use them, and how to use them. From David McCan.
The best open-source tools & frameworks for building WordPress themes in 2025: Eric Karkovack explored some of the top open-source WordPress theme development tools and frameworks on the market. From Speckyboy.

🛠 GUIDE ZONE – HOWTO’S and MORE

Handpicked fresh guides from WordPress circle

Advanced WordPress automation workflows for agencies: From Kinsta
Using cloud storage for WordPress user-generated content: From Delicious Brains

📆 SAVE THE DATES

Do not miss a WordPress event ever again

WordCamp US on August 26-29, 2025: The call for organizers and sponsor applications is now open.
LoopConf 2025 on September 25: The registration is now open.
SomeConf 2025: The event is in the early planning stages. The call for sponsors and speakers is now live.
WP Suomi 2025 on October 10: The call for speakers is now open.
WordCamp Canada on October 16-17 2025: The call for sponsors is now open. The first round of the speaker list has been published.
WordCamp Asia 2026: It is tentatively planned for early February 2026 and the call for organizers is now open.
WordCamp Europe 2026 on June 4-6: The call for organizers is now open.

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