May has been a month of big changes in the WordPress ecosystem. From enhanced SEO features in AIOSEO to important privacy updates in WPConsent and performance boosts in WooCommerce, there’s a lot to cover.

This month, we also saw the formation of a dedicated AI team at WordPress.org, which signals exciting developments to come.

Let’s explore the key highlights and discover what’s new in the world of WordPress!

DB Reset Pro Makes WordPress Database Resets Easier for Developers and Testers 🔃

The team behind popular plugins like SeedProd and Duplicator has launched a new tool: DB Reset PRO. It lets you reset your WordPress database easily and safely, with full control over what gets wiped and what stays.

The plugin removes posts, pages, comments, and users but keeps your admin account, site title, and all media uploads. Themes and plugins are deactivated but not deleted.

Built-in safety features include permission checks and clear reset warnings. There’s also an option to automatically reactivate selected plugins after the reset.

It’s ideal for debugging, development, and learning. You can quickly start fresh without needing to reinstall WordPress. The plugin also supports multisite and has a clean, WordPress-native design.

DB Reset PRO is free and now available on WordPress.org. It’s a useful tool for anyone who needs a reliable reset without affecting files or uploads.

WordPress Announced a Dedicated AI Team to Guide Open-Source Innovation

WordPress.org has launched a new AI Team to lead and coordinate artificial intelligence efforts across the platform.

The team’s goal is to help WordPress stay ahead as AI tools become more common in content creation and site management.

This move brings structure to AI-related work that is already happening in the ecosystem. It helps avoid fragmentation and makes sure that future innovation lines up with WordPress’s long-term goals and open-source values.

The team will take a plugin-first approach to development. This means new features will roll out as Canonical Plugins, which allows for faster testing and community feedback outside the slower Core release cycle.

The founding members are James LePage (Automattic), Felix Arntz and Pascal Birchler (Google), and Jeff Paul (10up). James and Felix will act as the first team representatives, helping organize work and connect with other Make WordPress teams.

WPForms Adds Square Payments for Free Users and Launches Google Drive Integration

WPForms now lets users accept Square payments on all plans, including the free version. This makes it easier for small businesses, nonprofits, and personal sites to collect payments directly through WordPress forms.

The Square integration allows quick setup without custom code. It supports basic payment forms, while advanced features, such as conditional logic, are still available through the PRO addon for paid plans.

WPForms has also launched a new Google Drive Addon. This feature helps teams manage uploaded files without needing to give everyone WordPress access.

Form submissions and file uploads can now be synced automatically to any folder in Google Drive.

The integration is designed to fit smoothly with Google Workspace. It makes collaboration easier by allowing teams, like HR, marketing, or client services, to access form files where they already work.

Plus, smart permissions ensure that users see only what they need, without extra WordPress user roles or logins.

WordPress Ecosystem Expands with 87% Increase in New Plugin Submissions

The WordPress Plugins team has reported an 87% increase in new plugin submissions compared to last year. This growth shows that there has been strong wave of innovation across the developer community.

The data shows a steady rise in submissions since September 2024. And many contributors point to AI as a driving force behind this increase.

A growing number of plugins now include “AI” in their titles, offering features like content generation, chatbots, SEO tools, translation, and AI image creation. Overall, developers are using AI to improve both front-end experiences and backend efficiency.

The Plugin Review Team has also upgraded its internal scanner. It now checks for more security issues, such as missing sanitization or escaping, and offers clearer code examples for fixes. It can also detect similar plugin names, which reduces duplicate plugins and confusion within the plugin directory.

Despite the higher volume of plugins, the team has kept average review wait times low. Faster reviews give developers more motivation to experiment, publish early, and contribute new solutions to the WordPress community.

AIOSEO Update Brings Google Indexing Insights Directly to WordPress

All in One SEO for WordPress has introduced a major new feature called the Index Status Report.

This tool shows you how Google views your website’s content, without leaving your WordPress dashboard. This allows you to find and fix SEO issues before they hurt your rankings.

The Index Status Report helps users understand which pages are indexed, which aren’t, and why. It displays five key categories: Indexed, Crawled but Not Indexed, Discovered but Not Indexed, Other Not Indexed, and No Results Yet.

AIOSEO says the feature fills a critical gap for users who struggle with invisible pages in search results. “While other SEO plugins only show basic indexing status, AIOSEO’s Index Status Report tells you exactly why pages aren’t being indexed—and what to do about it,” said Ben Rojas, President of AIOSEO.

Users can also view post-level indexing issues, including crawl status, canonical tags, and robots.txt rules. Each post has a direct link to inspect it in Google Search Console.

Plus, advanced filtering lets users sort by indexing state, post type, or crawl conditions.

Another feature tracks rich results eligibility. This helps users see which posts can show rich snippets in Google and which schema markup types are already applied, all without opening the post editor.

Review Feeds Simplifies Google and Yelp Reviews with No API Required

Smash Balloon has released a major update to Review Feeds Pro that allows you to display light-use Google and Yelp reviews without API keys. The change is designed to help users save time and avoid recent third-party charges, especially from Yelp’s paid API model.

Users can now paste a link to their Yelp page or Google Place ID to set up a review feed in minutes. There’s no need to connect billing accounts or enter credit card details.

The feature is ideal for users who only need to show a handful of reviews. Free plan users can display up to 10 reviews from a single source without any API integration. Pro users still have the option to enter API keys to unlock unlimited sources and faster feed updates.

With this update, users can highlight Google and Yelp reviews directly on their websites, promote trust, and increase conversions—all with fewer technical requirements.

WooCommerce 9.9 Beta Introduces Blueprints, Faster Dashboard, and Smarter Exports

WooCommerce 9.9 is set for release on June 2, 2025. The beta version is now available for testing, with new features that focus on speed and store management.

The update introduces ‘Blueprints’, which is a tool for exporting and importing store settings. It helps developers and agencies maintain consistent setups across sites.

Admin speed is also improved with asynchronous dashboard widgets. This change significantly reduces load times on uncached or high-traffic sites.

Additionally, store owners can now export selected products by ID and hide all shipping rates when free shipping is available. Both these features were previously only possible with code or third-party tools.

Other updates include automated database migrations and smoother navigation in Product Collection blocks. Experimental features, including COGS tracking and a redesigned Product Gallery block, are also available for early testing.

WPConsent Adds Per-Page Scanning and New Consent Defaults

WPConsent, a WordPress privacy and cookie popup plugin, has released a big update introducing new features for improving privacy compliance in WordPress.

It now offers per-page scanning, improved cookie settings, and cleaner uninstall options.

Site owners can choose which pages to scan for scripts and cookies. This helps reduce scan times, allowing users to focus on key areas like checkout, forms, and login pages. WPConsent also suggests commonly used pages for added convenience.

A new “Default Allow” option gives more control over how cookies are handled. When this setting is enabled, scripts and iframes will load by default unless the user opts out. If rejected, cookies are cleared and the page refreshes to reflect the updated consent choice.

WPConsent also now includes an option to delete all plugin data when the plugin is uninstalled. This ensures full data removal and supports cleaner site management.

The update also includes enhancements to Google Consent Mode compatibility and works well with plugins like MonsterInsights.

WPCode Adds Schema Generators and Improved Pixel Tracking

WPCode has released a new update with 20 new generators for adding schema markup to WordPress sites.

Users can now create structured data for articles, FAQs, reviews, and more—no coding required. This makes advanced SEO tools more accessible for beginners and small business owners.

The schema tool uses a simple form-based interface. Once filled, WPCode generates valid schema code that can be easily inserted and edited. Premium users can also use Smart Tags to dynamically auto-fill values.

This update also improves click tracking in the Conversion Pixel addon. Click events now send data to both Google Analytics and Google Ads for more complete reporting.

In Other News 🗞️

• MonsterInsights now supports Pinterest ad tracking. Users can measure conversions and return on investment (ROI) from Pinterest PPC campaigns using just their Tag ID and Ad Account, all from inside WordPress. No coding needed.
• WordPress 6.8.1 has been released as a maintenance update. It fixes 15 bugs across Core and the Block Editor, and improves stability in multisite, the REST API, and other key areas.

• AdTribes has updated its UI for managing WooCommerce product feeds. Bulk actions and workflow improvements are now live, along with a new Product Feed Validator to help check data quality before submitting feeds to marketplaces.
• A2 Hosting has rebranded as Hosting.com. The company promises improved performance and support while continuing with its core services and infrastructure.
• The folks behind rtCamp have launched GoDAM, a new digital asset management plugin. It offers enhanced video handling and media organization for WordPress users, especially agencies and enterprise teams.

• WordPress Campus Connect is now a global program bringing WordPress education to college campuses. After a successful 2024 pilot, it will host events and training at universities worldwide.

• Formidable Forms has rolled out improved anti-spam tools across all plans. The update includes honeypot protection, keyword filtering, and an integration with the StopForumSpam API.
• WordCamp Europe 2025 is just around the corner and will be happening June 5–7 in Basel, Switzerland. Some tickets are still available.

New Plugins & Tools

• DB Reset PRO 🔥 – Quickly reset your WordPress database without affecting media uploads or plugin files.
• MyPayKit 💳 – Create secure Square-powered payment forms for donations, invoices, and online sales.
• MD Governance – Control block editor settings by user role to create a safer, role-specific editing experience in WordPress.
• Thread Block – Display X (formerly Twitter) style threaded conversations in WordPress posts or pages using a Gutenberg block.

That’s all for this month’s WPBeginner Spotlight! 🎉 We hope this roundup helped you stay informed on what’s new and notable in the WordPress world.

Have a product update, launch, or project worth sharing? Let us know — your submission could be featured in an upcoming issue.

Thanks for reading, and we’ll be back next month with more WordPress insights and updates.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post WPBeginner Spotlight 12: New Tools for SEO, Privacy, and WooCommerce Performance first appeared on WPBeginner.

From freelancer to successful co-founder, Ionut Neagu has worked with WordPress for 13+ years. Along the way, he has grown his company, Themeisle, into one of the most respected names in the WordPress ecosystem.

Their flagship products, including Neve and Hestia, are helping shape the future of website building and WordPress theme development.

Like many scrappy entrepreneurs, he started with little more than determination and a desire to learn. What makes Ionut’s story unique is his strong persistence and focus on creating genuine value.

In this interview with the WPBeginner team, Ionut shares his journey and offers valuable insights for anyone looking to build a lasting business in the WordPress space.

“I think intentions kind of matter… if you have the intention to create value through this process – for employees, for clients, for everyone that you work with… I think that also matters… my advice would be to be persistent, to try to focus on creating value and things will compound in time.”

Ionut Neagu – Co-Founder of Themeisle

Keep reading to learn how Ionut built and grew Themeisle into a household name. Whether you’re a brand-new WordPress freelancer or an experienced entrepreneur, his expert advice can help you grow.

Video Interview with Ionut Neagu

If you’d like to watch the complete video interview with Ionut Neagu, then you can see it here:

Or you can use the links below to see what we covered in the interview (and more):

🙋 Meet Ionut Neagu: WordPress Pioneer and Themeisle Co-Founder

Before we share Ionut Neagu’s valuable lessons, we have to revisit his beginnings as a web developer, before Themeisle existed.

Fresh out of college in 2010, armed with a computer science degree and a deep curiosity for learning, Ionut entered the tech world during an interesting time.

While the fallout of the 2008 financial crisis meant there were fewer traditional job opportunities, it also created space for innovative thinkers to create their own paths.

When chatting with Ryan Priddey from the WPBeginner team, Ionut reflected on these early days with his characteristic humility and a sense of humor.

“Someone took a chance on me and said, ‘Okay, we just need someone to help.’ I said, That’s me. I don’t know anything.”

This eagerness to learn and grow, even without immediate rewards or recognition, defined his early career. “I just knew I wanted to learn and prove myself,” he shared.

He even recalled how he once told a potential employer he didn’t need a salary—just the metro fare to come to work. That still didn’t get Ionut the job, but it also didn’t discourage him. He just laughed it off and kept on moving, which is an example of his persistence and resilience.

“What worked for me was curiosity and persistence and not thinking about necessarily the results.”

Ionut Neagu

At WPBeginner, we’ve seen many successful entrepreneurs start with this same combination of humility and determination.

Ionut’s story stands out because he has maintained this learning mindset throughout his 13+ year journey with WordPress, even as his company became a major force in the ecosystem.

Today, Themeisle’s WordPress themes and plugins power hundreds of thousands of websites worldwide.

As co-founder and product strategist, he’s involved in everything from theme development to exploring new acquisitions and future directions for the business.

His approach has never been about following a predetermined path or copying others’ success. Instead, he’s always focused on understanding problems and finding ways to solve them effectively.

Ionut’s story reveals how staying true to your core values can transform a simple freelance career into something much bigger.

👨‍💻 The WordPress Journey: From Freelancing to Themeisle

In his early days with web development, Ionut started by building one freelance project at a time. His first breakthrough came with a modest $30 jQuery slider project that took three days to complete.

Like many developers starting out, he was less driven by the money at this time, and more focused on building his portfolio and expertise.

Through persistence and dedication, he began to establish himself as a freelancer, although he knew there had to be a more sustainable path forward.

Around 2012, Ionut co-founded Themeisle, marking a shift from freelancing to product development. The early days brought important lessons about building a business.

“I had a lot of misconceptions because I thought by having a company, printing business cards, making the company website, we will get clients… but none of this contributed in any way.”

Ionut Neagu

These struggles are acknowledged outright on the ‘About Us’ page of the Themeisle website, which says they quickly learned to adapt because “three years without a sale will do that.”

In our opinion, Ionut’s humble and lighthearted attitude comes through here, as the team jokingly celebrates their early failures.

When asked about mistakes he’d learned from, Ionut acknowledged he has always been a bit risk-averse. He casually quoted one of his inspirations, Charlie Munger, who famously said, “All I want to know is where I’m going to die so I’ll never go there.”

But upon further reflection, Ionut also recognized that sometimes mistakes are just part of the learning process:

“A mistake, a little bit for me, is when you have all the information and you do some wrong judgment. I mean, for me back then, I had no information… I was just learning and yeah, finding my way.”

Ionut Neagu

The lesson here? It speaks to the importance of not being too hard on yourself when learning something new. Everyone has to start somewhere!

As the Themeisle team grew, they faced new challenges. After working on a lot of different projects, from SEO to Java and PHP, Ionut realized they needed to laser focus on something. And that something was WordPress development.

The timing proved perfect – soon after, they released Zerif, their first theme in the WordPress repository.

“When we released Zerif… we saw early signs of success. That was a pivotal moment because then we stopped worrying about money and could focus on how to grow the business.”

This financial stability allowed Ionut and his team to think strategically and make long-term investments. They began developing Themeisle’s blog, knowing it might take two years to see results. The focus shifted from immediate gains to building lasting value.

At WPBeginner, we’ve seen that this kind of patient, long-term thinking often separates successful WordPress businesses from those that struggle to gain traction.

By 2015, Themeisle had established itself as more than just another theme company. Instead, it was becoming a team dedicated to pushing WordPress innovation forward. Plus, the Themeisle blog started to earn a reputation as a valuable resource for WordPress tutorials, roundups, and more.

But transforming successful product launches into a thriving business required more than just good code. It also needed a solid business strategy.

🔍 Business Growth Strategies & Themisle Products

As Themeisle grew, Ionut realized that sustainable growth required more than just great products. He needed systematic approaches to running the business.

A significant milestone for the team came when Ionut started using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Our founder, Syed Balkhi, uses this model for all of his businesses, so we’re huge fans of it.

In our interview, Ionut even fondly recalled discussing EOS with Syed and how meaningful those conversations were.

After that, Ionut talked about the importance of learning how to manage while scaling. “It was another meaningful moment when we started to work with an implementer that actually showed me how I can have the team more involved and not me deciding and telling different things.”

Around this shift in management style, Themeisle also made major changes to its operations. It moved from gut-feel decision-making to data-driven strategies.

“Before that, it was a lot of guesswork. We knew like everything goes fine, we make more money than we spend, and it looks good. And that was basically all the knowledge that we had on the business.”

“Now we have quite detailed P&L (profit and loss) for the business, for the product. We understand very well where are our costs, where we invest, how that investment is working or not.”

Ionut Neagu

At WPBeginner, we’ve seen how this systematic approach to business management can transform a WordPress company. It’s not just about creating great products—it’s about building sustainable processes that support long-term growth.

This strategic approach also helped Themeisle maintain focus on their core mission: creating value for users. They concentrated on understanding and solving real problems for their customers.

The result? They developed and launched some of the most popular WordPress themes and plugins today, including Neve, Hestia, and Optimole.

But building a successful WordPress business isn’t just about strategy and systems. Ionut also has some valuable advice for others looking to follow a similar path.

💡 Advice for Aspiring WordPress Entrepreneurs

When asked what advice he’d give aspiring WordPress entrepreneurs, Ionut emphasized the importance of genuine value creation over surface-level business tactics.

His own experience taught him that traditional approaches, such as polishing resumes or printing business cards, often matter less than solving real problems.

“You need to reflect and try to think what are your skills and adjust the people you work with, adjust the industry you go to, adjust your product to suit your skills,” he explained. This self-awareness, he believes, is crucial for long-term success.

“My advice would be to be persistent, to try to focus on creating value and things will compound in time.”

Ionut Neagu

“The skills you gain, the people you meet, the clients you work with, the employees that grow with you – it all compounds over time,” he explained.

At WPBeginner, we’ve seen this compound effect in action. The most successful WordPress entrepreneurs aren’t usually those who chase quick wins, but those who focus on building value consistently over time.

When it comes to technology and tools, Ionut is particularly excited about AI’s potential. “I feel AI will bring monumental change to how we do things, how we live, and how we work,” he said.

His advice? “Just using it and trying to involve AI in everything that you do.”

He talked about how his team is experimenting with using AI tools like Cursor, but also about how every aspiring entrepreneur should focus on how to most effectively use AI.

“It’s more to build the mental models, right? So it’s not to kind of just see what’s the latest cool and trick and so on. I think just to rewire a little bit and to create mental models, because after a couple of weeks, for example, what I noticed is that I start to think differently.”

Ionut Neagu

“So when I get into a problem, I would say, okay, for that problem, I would need to use this deep research. For that problem… I need to create the flow with agents and et cetera to handle it… for this problem, I would need to ask a reasoning AI… because they work differently and are helpful in different ways.”

“I would say that people are not spending enough time on this… this is the one thing I would be focusing on.”

💥 Related Article: Surprising AI Statistics – Everything You Need to Know

This focus on creating genuine value while embracing new technologies has served Themeisle well in the past. But what does the future hold for the company and its co-founder?

🔮 Looking Ahead: The Future of Themeisle

Rather than making grand predictions about the future, Ionut prefers to focus on the fundamentals that stay constant regardless of how technology evolves. “I have a hard time to think and to plan in terms of what’s the goal in five years,” he admitted.

Instead, he said he always concentrates on two key areas: maintaining strong relationships with existing customers and nurturing a capable team.

“We have those clients that are paying their yearly subscriptions. What I can do for them? How I can make sure they are happy?”

“Now and even in five years, whatever, it would be important to have smart people around you and to grow yourself and grow as well as a team. To be able to tackle any opportunities or challenges or markets.”

Ionut Neagu

This approach of focusing on fundamentals while remaining adaptable has served Themeisle well. When Ionut spots something truly promising, he’s ready to invest fully. “When I spot something unusual, then I will go all in on that,” he explained.

His current focus is exploring how AI can enhance WordPress development and user experience. He sees it as a tool to deliver more value to users.

“I’m trying to use it for everything pretty much… trying to map it with real needs that people have or businesses have.”

As WordPress itself evolves, Themeisle’s commitment to both innovation and fundamentals positions them well for continued success. But for Ionut, success isn’t just about business metrics. It’s also about creating lasting value for the WordPress community.

💭 Final Thoughts

Ionut Neagu’s journey from a curious computer science graduate to co-founder of Themeisle offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to build a lasting WordPress business.

His story shows that success isn’t about following a predetermined path but staying true to core values while remaining adaptable.

What stands out most is his consistent focus on creating genuine value. From his early freelancing days to leading Themeisle today, Ionut says that business success follows naturally from helping others solve real problems.

We also appreciated how Ionut seems to strongly value the potential of each unique individual and how that should be embraced on any entrepreneurial journey.

“No entrepreneur is the same… all the stories are different… so I think in terms of skills, it’s a great opportunity to craft your own journey that suits your strengths.”

Ionut Neagu

At WPBeginner, we’ve watched ThemeIsle grow from its early days to become a significant force in the WordPress community. Their success story reminds us that in WordPress, sustainable growth comes from combining technical excellence with a genuine desire to serve users.

Through economic challenges, technological changes, and evolving market demands, Ionut’s approach has remained consistent: focus on fundamentals, invest in people, and create real value.

💥 Bonus Guides and Resources

Looking to learn more about building a business around WordPress? Here are some helpful WPBeginner resources:

• WordPress Career Options – How to Make a Living With WordPress
• How Ben Rojas Rose From a Developer to the President of AIOSEO
• How Zac McDonald Grew Into the Top-Rated WordPress Freelancer on Upwork
• Blogger Turned WordPress VIP Partner: How WordPress Continues to Inspire Rahul Bansal
• The Future of WordPress: What to Expect (Our Predictions)

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post From Freelancer to Founder: Ionut Neagu’s Journey to Building a Successful WordPress Business first appeared on WPBeginner.

Welcome to the April 2025 edition of WPBeginner Spotlight! The WordPress community has been buzzing this month with exciting updates, new tools, and important changes across the ecosystem.

These include everything from the launch of WordPress 6.8 to major plugin releases like RewardsWP, product milestones, and upcoming events. Overall, there’s no shortage of news for site owners, developers, and WordPress enthusiasts alike.

In this roundup, we’ll highlight the biggest announcements and latest developments in the WordPress world.

aThemes, Maker of Popular WordPress Themes, Joins the WPBeginner Family of Products

WPBeginner has announced the acquisition of aThemes, a well-known provider of beautiful and easy-to-use WordPress themes.

aThemes is widely recognized for popular themes like Sydney and Botiga, which are favored by small businesses, freelancers, and creative agencies.

As aThemes is now part of the Awesome Motive family, users can expect faster innovation, enhanced customer support, and deeper integrations with other tools and plugins designed to make WordPress easier for everyone.

Syed Balkhi, CEO of WPBeginner, explained one of the reasons for the acquisition:

“In our annual WPBeginner reader survey, one of the user suggestions that we always get is to build a FREE WordPress theme that makes it easy to create stunning websites.”

Existing customers will continue to receive support and updates without disruption. WPBeginner plans to build on aThemes’ strong reputation and expand their offerings with additional features and design improvements over time.

WordPress 6.8 Released with Speed Boosts, Design Tools, and Security Upgrades

WordPress 6.8 is now officially available. It’s packed with a lot of exciting improvements for users and developers alike. This release focuses on performance gains, improved design tools, and stronger security protocols.

See the Full Story 🔗: What’s New in WordPress 6.8? (Features and Screenshots)

One of the standout features is the introduction of Speculative Loading. This new enhancement intelligently loads the next page that a user will likely access.

This results in a faster browsing experience and significantly reduced page load times.

The release also brings major updates to the Site Editor, including new design tools like section patterns, custom spacing presets, and enhanced typography controls.

These updates make it easier for users to create visually consistent and polished websites without needing custom code.

Security enhancements include transitioning to bcrypt for password hashing, which offers stronger protection against brute-force attacks and aligns WordPress security practices with modern standards.

Developers will also appreciate the additional APIs, block editor refinements, and expanded options for building custom blocks and plugins.

Charitable Pro Launches with Donor Dashboard, Recurring Giving, and Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Charitable, a leading WordPress donation plugin, has launched Charitable Pro, which is a major upgrade packed with powerful new fundraising features.

Charitable Pro introduces a streamlined Donor Dashboard. It allows supporters to manage their giving history, download receipts, and update payment information directly from the nonprofit website.

This improvement creates a better experience for donors and encourages them to make repeat contributions.

Organizations can also view detailed donor profiles, with options to easily download donor lists as CSV files, contact individual donors by email, and create more effective fundraising campaigns.

The new recurring donation feature allows nonprofits to easily set up monthly or annual donation options. Supporters can also choose to give automatically, helping organizations build sustainable revenue streams.

Peer-to-peer fundraising capabilities have also been added. This enables individual supporters to create personal fundraising campaigns, which can help organizations reach a wider audience through their community.

Plus, Charitable Pro continues to offer zero transaction fees, giving nonprofits an affordable and flexible solution to boost their online fundraising efforts.

WordPress Core Shifts to Annual Major Releases, Starting with 6.8

The WordPress project has announced a major shift in its core release schedule. Beginning with version 6.8, WordPress will now move to a single major release each year.

This new model is designed to create a more predictable timeline, allowing contributors, developers, and site owners to better prepare for updates.

Related🔗: How You Can Get Involved With The WordPress Project

It will also allow more time for larger features and innovations to be fully developed and tested before deployment.

Commenting on the change, Mary Hubbard, Executive Director of WordPress.org, explained:

“This decision reflects current realities — particularly the energy and resources being diverted due to ongoing legal matters. If those lawsuits are dropped or resolved, we’ll revisit this cadence and strongly consider returning to a three-releases-per-year schedule. That remains the ideal for a fast-moving, community-driven project like WordPress.”

According to project leadership, the move will improve stability while encouraging more participation in the release process. Maintenance and security updates will continue throughout the year as needed.

WPConsent Now Blocks Third-Party iframe Content Like YouTube, Google Maps, and reCAPTCHA Before User Consent

WPConsent, the privacy compliance plugin for WordPress, has released a major update with a new Content Blocking feature.

This feature allows site owners to block embeds, such as YouTube videos, Google Maps, and reCAPTCHA forms, until users explicitly provide consent.

The new feature is an essential tool for improving compliance with the GDPR and other privacy regulations.

This update also includes a redesigned preferences panel that gives users more intuitive control over the data types they agree to share.

Overall, the updated interface aims to improve transparency and encourage informed consent among website visitors. This can help website owners meet global privacy standards with minimal effort.

AffiliateWP Launches RewardsWP: A Refer-a-Friend Plugin for WordPress and WooCommerce

AffiliateWP, a leading WordPress plugin for creating and managing affiliate programs, has launched RewardsWP. It is a new refer-a-friend plugin designed specifically for WordPress site owners.

RewardsWP was created in response to user requests for a simple, customer-first referral solution that works directly inside WordPress.

It runs as a standalone plugin, meaning you don’t need AffiliateWP to use it. However, the two plugins work smoothly together if both are installed.

With RewardsWP, customers are automatically enrolled in referral programs after purchase. A customizable Rewards Widget appears across the site, allowing customers to share referral links via social media or email and redeem earned rewards without leaving the site.

The plugin supports a range of reward types, including discount coupons, free products, free shipping, and percentage-based discounts.

It also includes features like automatic enrollment for new and existing customers, guest purchase support, fraud prevention safeguards, and automated email notifications.

Plus, RewardsWP works out of the box with WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads. This makes it easy for store owners to launch customer referral programs without relying on third-party platforms.

WordPress.com Launches AI Website Builder for Instant Site Creation

WordPress.com has introduced a new AI Website Builder that is designed to help users create fully personalized websites in minutes using artificial intelligence.

The AI Website Builder asks users a few simple questions about their goals, preferred styles, and content needs.

Based on this information, it automatically generates a custom website layout, including recommended pages, starter text, images, and navigation menus.

This new tool aims to simplify the website creation process, especially for beginners and small businesses that want to get online quickly without having to design from scratch. After generation, users can still customize the results using WordPress.com’s standard editing tools.

WordPress.com says the AI Builder will continue to evolve with more advanced features over time, helping site owners launch, adapt, and scale their websites more quickly and efficiently.

The feature is available now for WordPress.com users and will roll out additional customization options in future updates.

Related🔗: Best AI Website Builders for WordPress (Expert Picks)

In Other News 🗞️

• Uncanny Automator released a new update that adds support for Facebook Lead Ads, new Bluesky triggers, and more automation options for platforms like LearnDash and LifterLMS.
• WordCamp volunteers can now earn profile badges on WordPress.org that recognize their important contributions to WordPress events and community-building efforts.
• WPCode’s Search & Replace Everything released an update that brings media backup features, smarter image detection, and drag-and-drop support for replacing content across WordPress sites.

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• Thrive Themes introduced a new built-in Font Library. This gives users GDPR-compliant typography management without relying on third-party font providers.
• WordCamp Europe 2025 tickets are now available, with this year’s event taking place in Basel, Switzerland. It will feature workshops, networking sessions, and keynotes from top WordPress leaders.
• AdTribes added a new Product Feed Validator tool to help WooCommerce store owners catch listing errors early and ensure smoother marketplace submissions.
• MonsterInsights introduced TikTok Ads tracking with a one-click pixel setup, making it easier for WordPress site owners to track ad conversions directly in their dashboards.

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• WordPress VIP achieved FedRAMP Moderate Authorization. This expands its ability to work with U.S. government agencies and large enterprises that need rigorous cloud security compliance.
• PushEngage rolled out a native Shopify integration, which allows stores to send real-time order notifications without complicated custom setups.
• Easy Digital Downloads released a new update with built-in checkout address field customization. It gives digital product sellers more flexibility to adjust their checkout forms without extra coding.

New Plugins 🔌

• RewardsWP 🔥– A powerful refer-a-friend plugin for WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads. It lets you create customizable referral programs that reward both the referrer and the referee.
• Acknowledgify – A lightweight plugin that lets developers and agencies acknowledge their work on a website with a virtual humans.txt file, meta tag, and front-end attribution.
• Meet the Team Lite – A simple, responsive plugin that lets you display team members with photos, bios, and social links using Gutenberg blocks or shortcodes.

That’s a wrap for this month’s WPBeginner Spotlight! 🎉 We hope you enjoyed catching up on the latest news and updates from the WordPress ecosystem.

Got a product launch, feature update, or cool project you think we should cover? Send us a message, and we might feature it in our next edition.

We’ll see you again next month with another round of WordPress news. Thanks for reading and being part of the WPBeginner family!

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post WPBeginner Spotlight 11: WordPress 6.8 Launch, Core Release Changes, and Major Plugin Highlights first appeared on WPBeginner.

WordPress 6.8 is finally here 🥳, and we’ve been testing it since the early beta. It’s the first major release of 2025 with several important changes.

You’ll notice speed improvements after the update, thanks to the new speculative loading feature that makes pages feel like they load before you click them.

This update also introduces better design tools, stronger password protection, and a more polished site editor.

We’ve explored all the new features, and in this guide, we’ll walk you through what’s changed, with examples and screenshots along the way.

ℹ️Important: As always, please don’t forget to create a complete WordPress backup before updating to the new release.

Here is a quick list of what’s new in WordPress 6.8:

Speed Boost with Speculative Loading 🚀

WordPress 6.8 now includes speculative loading, a clever technique that helps your site feel faster for visitors.

It works by quietly loading pages in the background before someone clicks a link. This way, the next page opens almost instantly.

Think of it like setting the table before your guest even walks into the room. By the time they sit down, everything’s already ready.

This is powered by the Speculation Rules API. WordPress watches for signs like hovering over a link and starts preloading that page just in case.

Developers can fine-tune how this works by setting rules, such as choosing which links get preloaded and when.

Style Book Now Works with Classic Themes 🎨

In WordPress 6.8, the Style Book is now available for classic themes that support the Full Site Editor.

Previously, this feature was limited to block themes only. Now more users can access it, even if they haven’t switched to a block-based design.

The Style Book gives you a visual overview of how your blocks look, including buttons, headings, forms, and more, all in one place.

You’ll find it by going to Appearance » Design » Styles when using a compatible classic theme. This makes it easier to preview and manage styles without needing to edit templates.

WordPress has also moved site patterns to Appearance » Design » Patterns. Grouping these settings together helps keep your workflow organized.

It’s a welcome upgrade if you’re using a classic theme but still want access to modern styling tools.

New Design and Editing Features in WordPress 6.8 🖌️

WordPress 6.8 introduces several updates that make customizing your site faster and more intuitive. Whether you’re adjusting global styles or editing individual blocks, these new features help you work more efficiently.

Set Any Image Block as a Featured Image

With just one click, you can now turn any image block into a featured image.

This makes the process quicker and avoids the need to go into post settings. And don’t worry — deleting the image block won’t remove the featured image from your post.

Switch Section Styles from the Toolbar

In zoomed-out mode, the toolbar now lets you switch between different section styles on the fly.

This is great for experimenting with layouts without hunting through menus or sidebars.

Global Styles Panel in the Site Editor

The Styles panel inside the Site Editor sidebar now makes it easier to manage your site’s look and feel.

You can adjust fonts, colors, spacing, and layout all in one place. This is a big time-saver when you want to update your site’s design without digging through settings.

Image Editing Now Includes an Undo Option

After editing an image, like cropping or rotating, you’ll see a success notice with an undo link.

This makes it easier to roll back edits if something doesn’t look right.

New Query Total Block

A new block called Query Total lets you display the total number of posts shown in a Query Loop.

It’s useful for archive pages, category filters, or search results where users want to know how many posts are being shown.

Quickly Set a Posts Page from the Page List

In the Site Editor, you can now assign any page as your blog’s posts page directly from the page list view.

This small improvement makes setting up your site’s structure much more straightforward.

New Option to Ignore Sticky Posts in Query Loops ♾️

If you’ve ever been frustrated by sticky posts always showing at the top of a query loop, then WordPress 6.8 has a fix.

You can now choose to ignore sticky posts when creating a custom post layout using the Query Loop block.

This gives you better control over the order of your posts, which is especially useful for category pages, blog archives, or custom layouts.

It’s a small checkbox, but it can make a big difference in how your content is displayed.

More Control Over Data Views 🪟

WordPress 6.8 brings helpful improvements to Data Views, making it easier to manage content in the admin area.

Now, layouts behave more consistently across post types. For example, you can choose to show content previews in the grid view for pages.

You can also change the density of tables in list views.

Depending on your preference, this helps you see more content at once or keep things more spacious.

These changes don’t jump out at first, but they really smooth out the experience of managing your site.

Stronger Password Security with bcrypt 🔒

WordPress password security has been due for an upgrade, and it finally arrived in 6.8.

WordPress now uses bcrypt for hashing passwords. It’s much harder to crack and is widely trusted by developers for good reason.

Before this, WordPress used a system called phpass that relied on MD5 hashing. It worked, but it’s outdated, and a sophisticated attack could compromise it.

Bcrypt adds what’s called a “work factor.” That means it takes longer to process each guess, which slows down attacks and keeps your WordPress account safe.

If you’re running a site, you don’t have to change anything. WordPress will handle it for you quietly in the background.

It’s one of those updates you won’t notice day to day, but we’re glad it’s finally here.

Miscellaneous Enhancements in WordPress 6.8

Alongside the big features, WordPress 6.8 includes several smaller improvements that help polish the overall experience:

• Labels across WordPress now consistently say “Add Item” instead of “Add New Item” when you’re adding something new. This small detail helps create a more predictable editing experience. [#61219]
• The date format settings screen now includes two extra options to choose from. These presets save time if you’re not comfortable creating custom date formats. [#55685]
• You can now embed Canva designs directly into your posts using the oEmbed block. This makes it easier to share visuals without needing extra steps. [#58840]
• Focus styles have been refined, link text is now clearer, and form controls are easier for screen reader users to navigate. [Accessibility Overview]

Under the Hood Changes in WordPress 6.8

WordPress 6.8 also brings several behind-the-scenes improvements that developers and power users will appreciate. These changes improve performance, consistency, and flexibility under the hood:

• A new function called wp_register_block_types_from_metadata_collection() allows multiple block types to be registered with a single call. This helps plugin developers streamline their code. [Read more]
• The Interactivity API now has official best practices to guide developers building dynamic block experiences. These recommendations help keep frontend code clean and predictable. [Read more]
• A new REST API filter makes it possible to expose menus publicly. This makes it easier to pull navigation data into headless or frontend apps. [Read more]
• WordPress now properly localizes PHPMailer error messages and ensures plugin update emails match the administrator’s language. These changes improve the international user experience. [Read more]
• Redundant title attributes have been removed across core to improve accessibility. This benefits screen reader users and makes interfaces cleaner. [#24766]
• Block Hooks now work with synced patterns. This creates consistent block behavior across templates, post content, and navigation areas. [#62704]
• Site owners can now remove the “Disable the visual editor” checkbox from user profiles. This is helpful when you want to simplify the editing experience or enforce block editing. [#34681]
• New contextual classes have been added to the body tag. They make it easier to style different parts of a website with custom CSS. [#19736]

Final Thoughts on WordPress 6.8

We’ve been following WordPress 6.8 development from planning to the release, and it’s great to see so many thoughtful improvements packed into this update.

The new design tools make it easier to build beautiful websites. Performance updates like speculative loading help your site feel faster without extra effort.

Even behind the scenes, changes like bcrypt password hashing and better accessibility make a real impact, especially if you’re running a busy or growing site.

If you haven’t updated yet, then we recommend doing so after backing up your site. And once you’re in, take a few minutes to explore the new features — they’re easy to miss but fun to use.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post What’s New in WordPress 6.8? (Features and Screenshots) first appeared on WPBeginner.

Looking to boost your online store’s conversion rates? You’re not alone. When we first started selling products online, we noticed that many visitors would abandon their carts right at checkout.

The reason? They weren’t sure if they could trust our website with their payment information.

That’s when we discovered the power of trust badges. After adding them to our checkout pages, we saw an immediate improvement in sales. These small but powerful symbols help reassure customers that their transactions are secure and legitimate.

And fortunately, adding trust badges to your WordPress checkout pages isn’t complicated at all. Whether you’re selling physical products or digital downloads, this step-by-step guide will show you how to set up trust seals in WordPress.

You’ll learn which badges work best and where to place them for maximum impact. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have everything you need to boost your store’s credibility and increase your sales.

Before we dive into the beginner’s guide, here are some quick links to help you navigate to the sections that you’re interested in:

What Are Trust Badges?

Trust badges are visual elements or icons designed to reassure visitors that your website or online store is secure, reliable, and credible. You have probably seen them on checkout pages, product pages, or even website footers.

They often include badges like ‘Secure Checkout,’ ‘Money-Back Guarantee,’ ‘Verified Seller,’ or ‘Free Shipping.’ These symbols act as subtle but powerful signals that help customers feel safe making a purchase from your store.

Trust badges are especially important for online stores because customers are sharing sensitive information like credit card details.

A well-placed trust badge, such as one showing your site uses SSL encryption or is backed by a reputable payment processor, can ease concerns and help to reduce cart abandonment.

Even small design choices, like adding a PayPal or Stripe logo, can have a big impact on customer confidence.

WordPress makes it easy to add trust badges using plugins, widgets, or even custom code.

Whether you run a WooCommerce store or sell digital products with Easy Digital Downloads, adding trust badges is a simple step that can directly affect your sales.

The Benefits of Using Trust Seals in Your Online Store

Adding trust badges to your WordPress site is about more than looking professional. It also gives your customers the confidence to take the next step.

When visitors trust your site, they are more likely to stick around, make a purchase, and even return for more.

Here are some key benefits of using trust badges on your site:

• ✔️Reduce Cart Abandonment: One of the biggest reasons customers abandon their carts is fear of fraud or security concerns. Displaying trust badges like ‘Secure Checkout’ or ‘SSL Secured’ reassures them that their information is safe.
• ✔️Boost Conversions: Trust badges directly impact your sales. When customers see that your store is verified or offers guarantees, they feel more confident buying from you. In fact, a study found that adding trust badges to checkout pages increased conversions by up to 42%.
• ✔️Build Credibility: Badges like ‘Verified Seller’ or those from well-known payment processors (like PayPal or Stripe) make your site look more credible.
• ✔️Encourage Repeat Purchases: When customers have a positive, trustworthy experience, they are more likely to come back. Badges like ‘Money-Back Guarantee’ or ‘100% Satisfaction Guaranteed’ tell buyers that you stand by your products and can build long-term loyalty.
• ✔️Improve Perceived Value: Trust badges also improve how customers view your products and services. A badge like ‘Free Shipping‘ has a psychological boost because users love the idea of getting more value without additional cost.

Types of Trust Badges That You Can Use

You must keep in mind that not all trust badges are created the same, and each serves a specific purpose to address different customer concerns. From security to shipping guarantees, the type of trust badge you use can make a big difference in how customers perceive your store.

Here are some of the most common types of trust badges used on WordPress sites.

Secure Checkout Badges

One of the biggest concerns for customers when it comes to online shopping is whether their personal and payment information is safe. This is where secure checkout badges come into play.

These badges, often displayed as a padlock icon or labeled with ‘SSL Secured,’ let shoppers know your site is using SSL encryption to protect sensitive data.

In WordPress, secure checkout badges can be automatically added if you are using a reliable SSL certificate.

Many hosting providers even include SSL for free.

Pairing this with a visible badge on your checkout page makes it clear to customers that their payment details are safe from hackers or breaches.

Payment Processor Badges

Another layer of reassurance comes from using payment processor badges. Logos from trusted payment providers like PayPal or Stripe tell customers that their transactions are being handled by well-known and secure systems.

For instance, we use a ‘PayPal Verified’ logo on the MonsterInsights checkout page. This immediately ensures customers that they have the option to pay securely through a trusted platform.

This simple addition can make all the difference when a hesitant shopper is deciding whether or not to complete their purchase.

Credit Card Logo Badges

Another idea for trust badges is to display credit card logo badges on your checkout page. These badges, like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and others, let customers know that they can securely make payments using their preferred card.

It helps visitors feel more confident about sharing their payment information since they recognize these major payment brands. It is a simple way to show that your website supports safe and secure transactions.

We recommend placing these card logos where they are easy to spot, like near the payment options or checkout button.

Customer Satisfaction Badges

Customer satisfaction badges are a great way to boost confidence and encourage people to make a purchase. These badges signal to potential buyers that your store values their experience and offers reliable services.

For instance, Money-Back Guarantee is a customer satisfaction badge that reassures customers that if they are not happy with their purchase, they can get their money back.

Similarly, a Free Shipping Badge can instantly make your store more appealing. It is an easy way to increase conversions by highlighting a benefit that many customers look for when shopping online.

You can also add a Verified Seller Badge if you have a store on a platform like Etsy. This will allow you to show that your store is credible and trustworthy.

Client and Partner Logo Badges

Displaying your clients’ logos on your website is a powerful way to build credibility and trust.

When potential customers see that well-known brands or companies work with you or are using your product, it gives your business a stamp of approval.

For example, at OptinMonster, we show a list of logos of all the famous brands that are using our product.

Third-Party Endorsement Badges

Third-party endorsement badges are another tool for improving your credibility. They show that your business has been recognized or approved by an external organization or expert.

These badges act as independent validation that your products or services meet certain standards, making potential customers feel more confident about their purchase decisions.

For instance, seals from trusted organizations, like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or security certification seals (like Norton or McAfee), can go a long way in reassuring customers that your site is safe.

If your business has won any industry awards or been featured in top publications, then you can also show these badges. They will serve as proof that experts or influencers in your field recognize your business’s quality and success.

Method 1: How to Add Custom Trust Badges to Checkout Pages in WooCommerce (Custom Code)

If you’ve already designed your WooCommerce checkout page and want to add trust badges to it, then this is the method for you. It’s also a free method if you don’t want to invest in a dedicated WooCommerce plugin like FunnelKit (Method 2).

We’re going to be working with custom code here, which can be a bit risky and even break your website. That’s why we’re going to use WPCode.

It is the best WordPress code snippets plugin on the market. After thorough testing, we have concluded that it is the easiest and safest way to add custom code. To learn more, see our WPCode review.

Note: Keep in mind that you will also need to add your own trust seal images to the WordPress media library. For details, see our guide on how to properly add images in WordPress.

First, you need to install and activate the WPCode plugin. For step by step instructions, see our tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon plugin activation, head over to the Code Snippets » + Add Snippet page from the WordPress dashboard.

Here, click the ‘Use Snippet’ button under the ‘Add Your Custom Code (New Snippet)’ option.

You will now be directed to a new screen where you must add a code snippet name. This name will only be for your identification and will not be shown to any users.

Then, choose ‘HTML Snippet’ as the ‘Code Type’ from the popup.

Go ahead and add the following custom code into the ‘Code Preview’ box:

<div class="wpcode-trust-badge" style="text-align: center;">
	<img src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/trust-badge.png" width="100" alt="Trusted" />
</div>

After that, be sure to replace the placeholder image URL with the URL of your trust badge image to display it correctly on the checkout page.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to upload the trust badge image to your WooCommerce store and retrieve its URL from the WordPress media library. If you’re unsure how to do this, check out our tutorial on how to get the URL of images you upload in WordPress.

You can add as many trust badge images as you like.

Now, scroll down to the ‘Insertion’ section and choose the ‘Shortcode’ option.

Then, toggle the ‘Inactive’ switch to ‘Active’ and click the ‘Save Snippet’ button.

Once you do that, WPCode will generate a shortcode that you will be adding to your WooCommerce checkout page.

Simply click the ‘Copy’ button and store the shortcode somewhere safe.

Now, open your store’s checkout page in the WordPress block editor.

Here, you need to choose a suitable place within the checkout block to display your trust badge, ensuring it’s highly visible to customers.

While the ‘Shortcode’ block isn’t available in this section, the trust badge shortcode will still work correctly when placed inside a ‘Paragraph’ block.

Finally, click the ‘Update’ or ‘Publish’ button to store your changes.

Now, visit your WooCommerce store to see the trust badges in action.

Method 2: How to Add Trust Badges to WooCommerce Checkout Pages (Plugin Method)

If you want to add trust badges to your WooCommerce checkout page without using custom code, then FunnelKit Funnel Builder is a great option.

It comes with professionally designed checkout templates that already include trust badges, helping you create a high-converting checkout experience with minimal effort.

Keep in mind that this version will involve creating an entirely custom WooCommerce checkout page. So, if you just want to add trust badges to your existing checkout page, then please go to Method 1.

We’ve tested FunnelKit a lot over the years, and it’s a great tool for improving your WooCommerce store. For details, see our complete FunnelKit review.

First, you need to install and activate the FunnelKit Funnel Builder plugin. For details, see our tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Once you’ve activated the plugin, you need to go to the FunnelKit » Store Checkout page and click the ‘Create Store Checkout’ button.

You can now choose from any of FunnelKit’s professionally designed checkout page templates.

To take a closer look at the trust badges for each template, simply click the ‘Preview’ button.

We’re using the Hific template, which has multiple trust badges related to security.

When you find a template you want to use, go ahead and click on the ‘Import This Funnel’ button.

Doing this will show a prompt on the screen.

Go ahead and click the ‘Activate’ button. Once you do that, type in the name for your store’s checkout page.

You will now be able to edit the checkout page according to your liking.

For step-by-step instructions, see our guide on how to customize checkout pages in WooCommerce.

Once you are done, head back to the Store Checkout page and click on the ‘Draft’ button.

Then, choose the ‘Publish’ option from the dropdown menu.

Now, visit your WooCommerce store to see the custom checkout page.

Here, you will see the trust seals at the bottom.

For more details on getting the most out of FunnelKit, see our guide on how to make a high-converting sales funnel in WordPress.

Method 3: How to Add Trust Badges to Checkout Pages for Digital Products

If you sell digital goods with Easy Digital Downloads (EDD), then it’s actually super easy to add trust badges to your checkout pages. You’ll just need to make sure that you first have a functional store for selling digital downloads in WordPress.

You’ll also need the WPCode plugin because it comes with built-in EDD locations that make it even easier to add trust badges to your store.

Important: Keep in mind that you will also need to add your own trust seal images to the WordPress media library. For details, see our guide on how to properly add images in WordPress.

First, you will need to install and activate the WPCode plugin. For details, see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon plugin activation, visit the Code Snippets » + Add Snippet page and choose the ‘Add Your Custom Code (New Snippet)’ option.

Then, select ‘HTML Snippet’ as the code type.

Now, simply add the following custom code into the ‘Code Preview’ box:

<div class="wpcode-trust-badge" style="text-align: center;">
	<img src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/trust-badge.png" width="100" alt="Trusted" />
</div>

Once you do that, make sure to add the URL of your trust badge image from the media library. If you’re not sure where to find it, then please see our guide on how to get the URL of images you upload in WordPress.

Then, scroll down to the ‘Insertion’ section and choose the ‘Auto Insert’ mode.

After that, you need to expand the ‘Location’ section and switch to the ‘eCommerce’ tab.

Next, scroll down to the ‘Easy Digital Downloads’ section and select the ‘After the Checkout Cart’ option. Now, your trust badges will automatically be added to your EDD checkout page.

If you’re using the free version of WPCode, then you’ll need to copy the WPCode shortcode and paste it into your checkout page. For details, see our guide on how to add shortcodes in WordPress.

Go ahead and toggle the ‘Inactive’ switch to ‘Active’ from the top.

Then, click the ‘Save Snippet’ button to store your settings.

Now, visit the checkout page in your digital downloads store.

Here, you will notice that the trust badges are showing in your chosen location.

Bonus Tips for Using Social Proof in Your Online Store

Using random icons on your checkout page won’t automatically boost conversions. Instead, you need the right trust signals in the right places.

Here are a few tips to get the most out of social proof in your WordPress store:

• 🎨Match the Badges to Your Store’s Design: Trust badges should stand out just enough to grab attention without clashing with your design. Avoid oversized, pixelated, or mismatched badges that make your checkout page look cluttered.
• 🔥Test and See What Works Best: Not all badges work the same for every store. Try different placements, designs, and messaging to see what resonates with your customers. A/B testing can help you find the perfect combination.
• ⭐Show more social proof with customer reviews. Showing positive reviews from happy customers can also convince shoppers to complete their purchases. For details, see our guide on how to show Google, Facebook, and Yelp reviews in WordPress.
• 💰Show real-time purchase notifications. Showing users that other customers are buying your products can convince them to do the same. Learn how to do this in our guide on how to create a live sale notification in WooCommerce.

Related Guides for Boosting Sales in WordPress

• How to Reduce Stripe Transaction Fees in WordPress (Expert Tips)
• How to Create a Services Section in WordPress (Easy Ways)
• Important Online Payment Statistics, Data, and Trends
• How to Make Money Using AI (Easy Ideas)
• Best Homemade Things to Make and Sell Online (Expert Pick)
• WordPress Payment Processing: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Add Trust Badges to Checkout Pages in WordPress (& Boost Sales) first appeared on WPBeginner.

Recently, we discovered something alarming while auditing one of our clients’ websites. Email addresses and phone numbers were showing up in their Google Analytics reports, exposing sensitive visitor information that they never intended to collect.

Collecting personally identifiable information from users can be a major issue. Not only does it violate privacy regulations like GDPR, but it also puts your business at risk of hefty fines and losing the trust of your customers.

But here’s the good news: preventing personally identifiable information (PII) from ending up in your analytics is actually quite straightforward once you know how.

We’ve spent years working with Google Analytics across hundreds of websites, and we’ve developed a foolproof system to keep sensitive data out of your reports. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to protect your visitors’ privacy while still getting all the valuable insights you need from your analytics data.

What Is Personally Identifiable Information, and Why Should You Protect It?

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is any data that, when combined, can reveal a person’s identity.

Some common examples of PII include:

• Full name (first and last)
• Email address
• Phone number
• Home address
• Credit card information
• Login credentials (usernames and passwords)
• IP addresses (when linked to individuals)

The problem is that PII often sneaks into Google Analytics through URLs.

Let’s say that users submit personal details on contact forms or login pages on your WordPress site. This data can be embedded in the URL of the next page they visit.

The URL might look like this:

www.example.com/contact-us/[email protected].

In that example, we can see that the URL shows the user’s email address.

Why Should You Keep Personal Info Out of Analytics?

Privacy laws like GDPR are serious about protecting personal data. That’s one reason why Google doesn’t allow businesses to collect or store PII.

If your Google Analytics account is capturing PII, you could end up in trouble, facing hefty fines or having your account suspended.

And it’s not just a technical issue – it can have real consequences for your business. Users expect businesses to respect their privacy. But if they feel their data isn’t safe, they might take their business elsewhere.

That’s why it’s so important to keep PII out of your Google Analytics data.

With that in mind, we’ll show you how to keep personally identifiable information (PII) out of Google Analytics. Here’s a quick overview of the 2 methods we’ll share with you:

Ready? Let’s get started.

Method 1. Using a Plugin to Keep Personally Identifiable Info Out of Google Analytics

Google Analytics can be overwhelming to navigate, especially when trying to ensure compliance with privacy regulations.

Managing cookie consent, anonymizing IP addresses, and adjusting privacy settings can quickly become overwhelming. For many people, sorting through these settings and ensuring compliance is no easy task.

If you’re a WordPress user, then we have good news for you.

MonsterInsights is the best WordPress analytics plugin, and it integrates seamlessly with Google Analytics 4 (GA4). With its Privacy Guard feature, it offers privacy-friendly tracking that you can manage directly from your WordPress dashboard.

ℹ️ Quick note: MonsterInsights powers our conversion tracking at WPBeginner, helping us monitor traffic, forms, buttons, referral links, and more with ease. See why we love it in our detailed MonsterInsights review!

Step 1. Install and Activate the MonsterInsights Plugin

First, let’s get started by creating a MonsterInsights account. Just head over to the website and click the ‘Get MonsterInsights Now’ button.

You can then go ahead and choose a plan. For this tutorial, we recommend the Plus plan or higher, as it includes the Privacy Guard feature to help with compliance.

After signing up, you can install and activate the MonsterInsights plugin on your WordPress site. For step-by-step instructions, see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Step 2. Connect MonsterInsights to Your Google Analytics Account

Upon activation, you’ll need to connect the MonsterInsights plugin to your Google Analytics account.

In your WordPress dashboard, you need to go to Insights » Launch the Wizard to start the setup.

After that, you’ll select the category that best describes your website.

MonsterInsights gives 3 options – business site, publisher (blog), or eCommerce (online store).

After selecting a category, simply click ‘Save and Continue’ to proceed.

On the next screen, you can click ‘Connect MonsterInsights’ to start the connection process.

Then, you can follow the prompt to sign in to your Google Analytics account.

Upon signing in, you can select the website you want to track from the dropdown menu.

From here, go ahead and click the ‘Complete Connection’ button. MonsterInsights will then automatically install Google Analytics on your WordPress website.

For details, feel free to refer to our guide on how to install Google Analytics in WordPress.

Step 3. Enable the Privacy Guard Feature

Keeping Personally Identifiable Information (PII) out of your tracking doesn’t have to be complicated.

With MonsterInsights’ Privacy Guard, you can do it in just a few clicks!

This feature automatically scans your website for sensitive information. It checks for any private details and prevents them from being stored in your analytics reports.

These details can be:

• Form submission data, such as personal information entered in contact or registration forms.
• URL data, which is the full web address of the page, including the domain name, path, and any additional information.
• Query parameters, which are the bits of data in URLs, like “?id=1234.” They often track specific user actions or provide extra information to the website.

To do this, let’s navigate to the Insights » Settings » Engagement tab.

From here, you can go ahead and turn on the ‘Privacy Guard’ switch – that’s it!

MonsterInsights will now help protect personally identifiable information and keep you compliant with privacy laws.

Method 2. Keeping Personally Identifiable Info Out of Google Analytics

In this method, we’ll guide you through configuring the settings that you need to keep PII out of Google Analytics directly from its dashboard.

This option is best for advanced users, as it gives you full control over the setup.

Additionally, since this method isn’t limited to WordPress, you can follow along even if you made your website with a different website builder.

First, you’ll need to sign in to your Google Analytics account.

Go ahead and click on the ‘Sign in to Analytics’ button.

In the dashboard, let’s hover over the sidebar and click the ‘Admin’ menu.

Once inside, you’ll want to locate the ‘Data collection and modification’ section.

After that, let’s click on ‘Data streams.’

This will take you to the table, which lists all your data streams.

Now, you can select your website from the list.

This will open the ‘Web stream details’ slide-in.

From here, let’s scroll down to the ‘Events’ section and click ‘Redact data.’

On the next screen, you will see the ‘Redact data’ menu.

The ‘Choose what to redact’ section of this slide-in has two switches at the top.

Let’s first redact email addresses by flipping the switch. Google Analytics will then automatically exclude email addresses from the data it collects.

Then, you can filter out other PII by entering query parameters.

To do this, you’ll need to enable the switch for ‘URL query parameter.’ Then, you can enter your query parameters in the respective field.

For example, here, we added ‘name,’ first_name,’ ‘last_name,’ and ‘ip_address.’

Once everything looks good, you can save your settings.

Google Analytics will now help protect PII and keep your site privacy-compliant.

Bonus Tips for Privacy Compliance on Your Website

Keeping personal info out of analytics reports is just one way to comply with privacy regulations. We also recommend following these tips:

• Show a cookie notice on your WordPress website. This popup message allows users to give their consent for tracking cookies on your website. Plus, it’s super easy to set up with a powerful plugin like WPConsent.
• Create GDPR-compliant forms. With a form plugin like WPForms, you can easily add GDPR agreement fields to your forms, disable user cookies and details, and delete user data when requested.
• Add a GDPR comment privacy checkbox. Comment plugins like Thrive Comments can help your discussion section comply with GDPR with just the click of a button.

For more details, just see our complete guide to GDPR compliance for WordPress users.

FAQs About Keeping Personally Identifiable Info Out of Google Analytics

Keeping PII out of Google Analytics is important for privacy and compliance. If you still have questions, feel free to take a look at some quick answers to common questions:

How does Google handle user data and privacy concerns?

Google takes privacy seriously. It anonymizes data and complies with strict regulations like GDPR.

While Google provides tools to help businesses protect user privacy, it’s ultimately up to the businesses to make sure they don’t collect personally identifiable information (PII).

Does Google Analytics collect personally identifiable information?

Not by default. But if you’re not careful, PII can sneak in through URLs, form submissions, or custom tracking settings. That’s why it’s important to set things up correctly.

Do all sites with analytics need cookie warnings?

Yep! If your site tracks users with cookies (like Google Analytics does), then privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA require you to show a cookie notice and get user consent.

Further Reading: More Analytics and Tracking Guides

Understanding how to keep PII out of Google Analytics is just the beginning! If you want to fine-tune your tracking, improve data accuracy, and stay compliant with privacy laws, then check out these helpful guides:

📊 Google Analytics 4: A Beginner’s Guide – Learn how to set up GA4 on your WordPress site and make the most of its powerful features.

• 📢 WordPress Post Analytics – Find out how to easily access and track your blog stats.
• 🎯 How to Set Up Google Analytics Goals – Measure what really matters on your WordPress website.
• 🔗 How to Install and Setup Google Tag Manager – Simplify tracking by managing all your tags in one place.
• 🔍 How to Track Outbound Links – See which external links your visitors are clicking the most.
• ✋ How to Block WordPress Referrer Spam in Google Analytics – Improve the accuracy of your reports by making sure that spam requests do not pollute your data.
• 💭 In-Depth Comparison of MonsterInsights vs SiteKit – See how these powerful analytics plugins stack up.

That’s all there is to it! We hope this guide has helped you learn how to keep personal info out of Google Analytics. You may also like to see our guide on how to get a custom email alert in Google Analytics or our expert pick of the best WordPress GDPR plugins.

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