- \n
- New ccTLDs unleashed: A special gift from .us to .you.<\/li>\n
- WordPress 6.9 beta coming soon: The stretchy blocks are hung by the chimney with care and we can hardly stand the wait!<\/li>\n
- FAIR 1.0 launches: Your plugins now come stamped, sealed, delivered… and yes, they’re yours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Hot Off The Presses: What\u2019s New?<\/h2>\n
\n![\"Meme](\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/your-old-code.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/br><\/p>\n
We\u2019ve all been there, right?<\/p>\n
Looking at your past work can be a good reminder that code often ages like milk, not wine.<\/p>\n
But the good news? Every \u201cwhat the heck was I thinking?<\/em>\u201d moment is proof that you\u2019ve leveled up.<\/p>\n
Just keep going. Accept that you\u2019re going to do stuff that might make Past You impressed, but will definitely make Future You facepalm. It\u2019s just part of the process.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, here\u2019s what\u2019s new in WordPress:<\/p>\n
Who\u2019s the FAIR-est Of Them All?<\/h2>\n
Federated and Independent Repositories just hit version 1.0, meaning you can finally trust the plugins you install\u2026 imagine that!<\/p>\n
Now you can control your own trusted plugin hub, whether pulling from WordPress.org or independent FAIR sources, all while staying GDPR- and regulation-friendly.<\/p>\n
Each package gets a cryptographic signature stamp of approval (think digital wax seal) and its own DID\u2014Decentralized Identifier, not Dissociative Identity Disorder.<\/p>\n
That means WAY more control over your software, plus plugin authors can publish without relying on centralized platforms.<\/p>\n
Other FAIR-ly cool perks:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Results powered by AspireCloud, now with a major search performance glow-up.<\/li>\n
- Mini-FAIR Repo plugin to share plugins or themes straight from GitHub, GitLab, Gitea, or Bitbucket.<\/li>\n
- Curated FAIR newsfeed bringing WordPress events right into your dashboard. Why leave your admin panel?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For the first time, all these pieces come together in one full stack, and the future of decentralized, verifiable package management looks\u2026 well, FAIR-ly bright.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Read the official release.<\/a><\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Install FAIR and give it a go!<\/a><\/p>\n
The First Beta for WordPress 6.9 is Officially Less Than a Month Away!<\/h2>\n
*Ahem* <\/p>\n
Alright chipmunks, ready to sing your song?<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfb5 Release, Release time is near
\nTime to launch and time to cheer,
\nWe\u2019ve been good, but we can\u2019t last
\nHurry 6.9, hurry fast!<\/em><\/p>\nWant templates that walk the walk<\/a>,
\nMe I want a streeechhyy block!<\/a><\/em><\/p>\nWe can hardly stand the wait
\nPlease, 6.9, don\u2019t be late!<\/em> \ud83c\udfb6<\/p>\nBeta 1 begins October 21st!<\/a><\/p>\n
In the meantime, you can grab WordPress 6.8.3<\/a>\u2026 and you probably should since it\u2019s a security release that includes two fixes to patch data exposure and XSS vulnerabilities<\/a>. Get your sites updated ASAP to make sure everything\u2019s still locked down.<\/p>\n
Also, Gutenberg 21.7<\/a> has entered the chat, and it\u2019s sporting some snazzy new features, like Site Editor navigation commands that are available on all screens<\/a> and an experimental Terms Query<\/a> block.<\/p>\n
New ccTLD, who dis?<\/h2>\n
Wanna show users your site is local and trusted?<\/p>\n
We just took the next step in our secret world domination plan: four new country-code top-level domains!<\/p>\n
New extensions you can now register:<\/p>\n
- \n
- .com.au<\/strong>: For Aussie businesses that want to show they\u2019re totally fair dinkum.<\/li>\n
- .us<\/strong>: The official domain of the U.S.A., perfect for targeting American audiences.<\/li>\n
- .net.au<\/strong>: Ideal for ISPs, network providers, and tech services Down Under.<\/li>\n
- .nl<\/strong>: A trusted European extension, linked to the Netherlands.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These ccTLDs make it easier to connect with local audiences and signal to Google that your site targets a specific country, boosting local search rankings.<\/p>\n
Not feeling these? We\u2019ve got 267+ others, from classics like .com<\/strong>, .net<\/strong>, .org<\/strong> to quirky options like .mom<\/strong>, .fun<\/strong>, .bingo<\/strong>, or even .party<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Imagine the fun you could have with a .party<\/strong> website!<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Read the blog post.<\/a>
\n\ud83d\udc49 See all 267+ domain extensions<\/a><\/p>\nMind Bloggling Facts & Stats<\/h2>\n
- \n
- Automattic hosted the 9th biannual TSNS on A8C 5k relay on September 25th, with 60+ runners joining from around the world. (Source<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- WordCamp Asia should target 60% regional speakers, says WPAPAC. The last two editions fell short, at under 40%. (Source<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- Like a Universal Translator built into your comms badge: WP World now lets you chat boldly in 130+ languages with people you couldn\u2019t reach before. (Source<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Blogs & Resources You Shouldn\u2019t Miss<\/h2>\n
\u201cAm I responsible for SEO when I\u2019m building a client website?<\/a>\u201d (Spoiler alert, if you want repeat business, the answer is yes.<\/em>)<\/p>\n
Kevin Powell asks, \u201cWhy don\u2019t more people know how awesome CSS is!?!?<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n
Think your CSS is pretty slick? This code quality checker tool<\/a> will give you an honest assessment.<\/p>\n
Full speaker list for Enqueue in Sydney on November 28th<\/a> just dropped. It\u2019s been called the \u201cbest lineup of any WordPress event this year.\u201d \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n
Get ready to spill the accessibili-tea: WP Accessibility Day<\/a> will be live-streaming for free for 24 hours on October 15th. \ud83c\udf75<\/p>\n
Speaking of making your sites more accessible: Elijah Mills created this handy quick demo<\/a> of the Block Accessibility Checks plugin.<\/p>\n
Coffee Break Distractions<\/h2>\n
Nick\u2026 you want to attract the attention of \u201cThe Cool Kids\u201d<\/a>? The thing that made middle school unbearable?!? \ud83d\ude2c<\/p>\n
Shining a light on dark patterns<\/a>: Caroline Sinders documents how companies make unsubscribing harder than breaking up with your clingy ex.<\/p>\n
Nerd Project of the Month: Turning a Lego Game Boy into an actual working Game Boy<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Wapuu throws some shade<\/a> at the Druplicon.<\/p>\n
Damn\u2026 I\u2019m really craving some Cake in a Jar<\/a> right now.<\/p>\n
Tammie Lister is celebrating Blocktober<\/a> by building a new block every day with Telex. (ASCII Tetris<\/a> is our fave so far!)<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Jeff Paul used Telex to build a playable version of Pong<\/a>. (Why are re-creations of retro video games always the first thing we build with new tools?)<\/p>\n
- WordCamp Asia should target 60% regional speakers, says WPAPAC. The last two editions fell short, at under 40%. (Source<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- .us<\/strong>: The official domain of the U.S.A., perfect for targeting American audiences.<\/li>\n
- .com.au<\/strong>: For Aussie businesses that want to show they\u2019re totally fair dinkum.<\/li>\n