WordPress 6.8 is here—and while it may look like a small update on the surface, it brings some helpful improvements that can speed up your workflow, enhance performance, and give you more control over your site’s design. From speculative loading for faster page speeds to a smarter way to set featured images and edit templates without switching screens, this update focuses on making the little things easier. Whether you’re a blogger, developer, or DIY site owner, here’s a breakdown of the most useful features in WordPress 6.8 you’ll actually want to use.

1. Introduction

• Brief mention of the WordPress 6.8 release
• Who this update is for (developers, content creators, site owners)
• Quick overview: Mostly small updates, but a few powerful improvements

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2. Performance Boost: Speculative Loading

• What it is (simple explanation for non-tech readers)
• Why it matters (faster page loads for logged-out users)
• How it works behind the scenes
• How to disable it (link to video or tutorial)

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3. Query Loop Enhancements

a. Sticky Post Options

• What the Query Loop block is
• New Sticky Post control settings:
  • Ignore sticky posts
  • Only show sticky posts
  • Exclude sticky posts
• Use case examples

b. Post Count Display

• New block: Query Total
• Why showing post count helps (UX improvement for paginated lists)
• Where and how to add it inside the Query Loop

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4. Set Featured Image Directly From Content

• New, quicker method to set featured images
• Step-by-step walkthrough
• Benefits: smoother editing flow, saves time

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5. Updated Color Picker + Reset Option

• New color picker UI improvements (text & heading blocks only for now)
• Add background/text colors
• How to reset to default colors using the minus icon
• Why this matters for design flexibility

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6. Template Editing Without Leaving Your Post

• New “Show Template” toggle during page/post editing
• How it works:
  • Jump directly to the template
  • Make layout edits (header/footer etc.)
  • Jump back to your content
• Saves time, no extra tabs or reloads

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7. Style Book Customization (FSE Themes Only)

• What is the Style Book?
• How to access it (Appearance > Editor > Styles > Style Book)
• What you can change:
  • Global colors
  • Typography
  • Images
  • Buttons and more
• Works only with Full Site Editing (FSE) themes
• Classic theme limitations

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8. Final Thoughts on WordPress 6.8

• Not a major update feature-wise
• Important: This is the last major release before 2026
• Only security patches and minor updates going forward this year
• Link to video discussion (optional)