Understanding Gutenberg: A Comprehensive Guide to the WordPress Block Editor

What Is Gutenberg? An Introduction to the WordPress Block Editor

If you’re new to WordPress, you may be asking yourself, “What exactly is Gutenberg?” This term frequently pops up on various plugin and theme pages, but for beginners, it might not be immediately clear what it entails or why it matters.

Commonly referred to as the Block Editor, Gutenberg is a powerful tool that simplifies the process of designing posts and pages. It has largely replaced the Classic Editor, providing a more intuitive and visually appealing way to build your website.

In this article, we’ll delve into what Gutenberg is all about. You can either read the whole piece or jump to specific sections that pique your interest.

Table of Contents

• What is Gutenberg?
• Gutenberg Overview
• Pros and Cons of Gutenberg
• How to Try Out Gutenberg
• How Gutenberg Works

What is Gutenberg?

Gutenberg is a block-based editor introduced in WordPress 5.0, launched in November 2018. Since its debut, many website owners have transitioned from the Classic Editor to Gutenberg, which is now the default editing tool for new WordPress installations.

But what does it mean to be a “block-based” editor? Essentially, Gutenberg allows users to create content using distinct blocks for different elements, such as text, images, lists, and buttons. This modular approach makes it easier to customize layouts and content without needing extensive technical knowledge.

Gutenberg Overview

Before Gutenberg, the Classic WordPress Editor relied heavily on the TinyMCE interface, which has remained largely unchanged over the years. This stalemate left some features feeling outdated, especially as more visually engaging and user-friendly website builders gained popularity, such as Wix and Squarespace.

In response to this trend, Gutenberg emerged as a modern solution, offering a more visual and interactive content creation experience. The Block Editor mimics popular drag-and-drop page builder tools, allowing users to add and customize blocks easily.

Pros and Cons of Gutenberg

If you’re currently using the Classic Editor, you might be contemplating whether to transition to Gutenberg. Here’s a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

• Intuitive design makes it easier for beginners to create content.
• Provides a real-time preview of how your content will appear to visitors.
• Streamlines the content creation process by removing the need for shortcodes.
• Offers a variety of customization options through distinct blocks.
• Eliminates the need for additional page builder plugins.

Cons

• The learning curve might be steeper than the Classic Editor due to its numerous features.
• Switching from Classic to Gutenberg may require redesigning existing posts and pages, which could disrupt your site.

As of 2022, the Classic Editor is no longer supported by WordPress, making it essential for users to transition to Gutenberg if they haven’t already.

How to Try Out Gutenberg

If you’re eager to explore Gutenberg, you’ll find that it is automatically enabled upon installing WordPress. You can start using it by creating a new post or page.

If you previously used the Classic Editor and have updated WordPress, you can switch between both editors as needed. To avoid potential issues with existing content, consider testing Gutenberg on a staging site or local environment first.

Additionally, you can familiarize yourself with the Block Editor through its official demonstration page, where you can explore the various blocks and customization options available.

How Gutenberg Works

Gutenberg allows you to create content by adding individual blocks. By clicking the plus icon in the upper left corner or within the content area, you can choose from a variety of block types, including paragraphs, images, lists, and more.

Once you’ve added a block, you can easily customize it using the settings in the toolbar and the sidebar. For instance, if you’re working with a paragraph block, you can modify text color, typography, and create anchor links.

Gutenberg also includes pre-designed block patterns, which allow you to use ready-made templates for elements like headers and galleries, all of which can be tailored to your specifications. Moreover, you can save custom blocks for reuse in future projects, streamlining your workflow.

Experimenting with Gutenberg will give you a better understanding of its capabilities compared to the Classic Editor and other popular page builders.