Key Features of WordPress 6.8
1. Refined Style Book for Easier Design Control
The Style Book now features a cleaner layout and clearer labelling, helping you edit colours, fonts, and site-wide styles more intuitively. It’s also compatible with Classic themes that support editor-styles or include a theme.json file, bringing greater flexibility across more site types.
2. Faster Page Loads with Speculative Loading
WordPress 6.8 introduces speculative loading, which anticipates where a visitor will click next and preloads the page for a near-instant experience. This results in smoother browsing, improved user experience, and potentially lower bounce rates, especially on content-rich sites.
3. Enhanced Password Security
Your site’s security just got a serious upgrade. WordPress now uses bcrypt hashing for password protection, making it far more resistant to brute-force attacks. This update runs automatically in the background, no setup required.
4. Accessibility Improvements Across the Board
More than 100 accessibility fixes have been made across themes, the Block Editor, the navigation menu, and the Customizer. The goal: a more inclusive experience for all users, no matter their device or ability.
5. Performance Gains Where They Count
WordPress 6.8 continues its focus on speed and performance. From block editor improvements to better query caching and registration of block types, the entire editing experience is now more responsive. Plus, the new Interactivity API starts laying the groundwork for ultra-fast user interactions (under 50 milliseconds).
Why This Matters to You
This release builds on WordPress’s commitment to usability, speed, and inclusivity. Whether you’re updating a homepage, improving your blog’s performance, or building new layouts, WordPress 6.8 gives you sharper tools to get the job done faster and more securely.
If you’d like help updating your site or want to explore how these new features can enhance your workflow, we’re here to help.
