A WordPress publication · Launched May 2026
WordPress, without the developer-speak.
WPWithin covers WordPress news for site owners, not developers. A free weekly WordPress newsletter and standalone articles, written for small business owners, marketers, and the consultants who advise them.
This week's roundup
Read in full Issue 08 / Weekend Within · July 03
Issue 8: AI gets official access, a customs deadline, and Elementor's reset
The EU's customs exemption ended July 1, and shipments now get rejected for bad HS codes. Elementor just cut 30% of its staff to chase AI.
Inside this issue
01
AI WordPress 7.1 proposes AI-agent access to your data, plus a $500 million education pledge.
02
Commerce The EU's customs exemption ended July 1. Check your HS codes before shipping.
03
Block Editor Gutenberg 23.5 adds in-editor cropping and a fully resizable preview canvas.
04
Business Elementor cut 30% of its staff as WordPress's market share keeps slipping.
Recently
All articles July 08
WordPress's AI Plugin Now Encrypts Your Stored API Keys
WordPress's official AI plugin 1.1.0 encrypts stored API keys and adds inline writing suggestions in the block editor. Update if you use it.
WordPress + AI
3 min
July 07
WordPress Reverses Course: The Classic Block Isn't Going Away
WordPress reversed course, the Classic block stays in the inserter in version 7.1. No action needed, remove the workaround plugin if you installed it.
Block Editor
2 min
July 03
Issue 8: AI gets official access, a customs deadline, and Elementor's reset
The EU's customs exemption ended July 1, and shipments now get rejected for bad HS codes. Elementor just cut 30% of its staff to chase AI.
Weekend Within roundup
6 min
July 03
WordPress 7.1 Will Let You Style Blocks Differently on Mobile, No CSS Needed
WordPress 7.1 will let you style blocks differently per device, right in the editor, no custom CSS needed. Testers can try it now on WordPress Playground.
Block Editor
3 min
July 02
Gutenberg 23.5 Adds In-Editor Image Cropping and a Resizable Canvas
Gutenberg 23.5 lets you crop images directly in the Cover block, resize the editor to any width, and turn off real-time collaboration per post type.
Block Editor
2 min
July 02
WordPress 7.1 Will Let AI Agents Read Your Settings, Content, and Users
A new WordPress 7.1 proposal lets AI tools read site settings, posts, and user data through permission-checked APIs. Nothing is exposed without your existing access controls.
WordPress + AI
3 min