WordPress AI assistant: Natural-language site editing lands on WordPress.com

WordPress.com has rolled out a built-in WordPress AI assistant that lets site owners make design and content changes using plain language. The assistant is embedded directly in the site editor and media library so publishers can iterate faster without switching tools or wrestling with technical settings. This article explains how the assistant works, where it integrates with the editor, what it can and cannot change, and best practices for using it safely and effectively.

How does the WordPress AI assistant change site editing?

The new on-site assistant reframes common website tasks as natural-language commands. Rather than opening theme panels, hunting for font controls, or manually editing blocks, you can ask the assistant to update the layout, tweak visual style, or rewrite sections of text. The assistant then applies those changes directly in the editor and shows results in context so you can review and refine them quickly.

Key capabilities

• Layout adjustments: add or reorder sections, create new pages like a contact or testimonials page, or nudge spacing and alignment to change visual flow.
• Style updates: change color palettes, swap fonts for a cleaner or more modern look, and apply consistent styling across blocks or templates.
• Content editing: rewrite bios, tighten copy, translate sections, suggest headlines, and perform grammar and clarity edits.
• Image generation and editing: create or update images directly in the media library with control over aspect ratios and stylistic direction via the editor interface.
• Editorial assistance: fact-check prompts, headline alternatives, and revision suggestions surfaced inside collaborative editing workflows.

These features are designed to reduce the friction between an idea and its execution, particularly for non-technical site owners and small teams.

Does the assistant work inside the block editor?

Yes. The AI assistant integrates with the block-based editor and collaborative notes workflows. Editors can summon the assistant inline by typing the mention command followed by a request, or by using the assistant button in the editor toolbar and in the media library. Because the integration relies on the block editing architecture, the assistant is not available in legacy classic editor themes or environments that do not support block templates.

How to invoke the assistant in collaborative notes

Inside collaborative notes, simply type the mention command followed by your request to bring AI assistance into team conversations and draft workflows. The assistant will respond inline with suggested copy, links, and edits to help speed up collaborative drafting and review.

How to enable the WordPress AI assistant

Activation is opt-in at the site level. To turn the assistant on follow these steps:

1. Log in and open your Sites list.
2. Click the site name you want to modify and go to Settings.
3. Scroll to AI tools and toggle Enable AI assistant on.

Some paid site plans may include the assistant enabled by default. Check your plan details to confirm availability for your site.

What kinds of prompts work best?

Prompts can be high-level or specific. The assistant is built to understand conversational instructions, so you do not need tightly engineered prompts. Here are examples that tend to produce reliable results:

• Design-focused: “Make this section feel more modern and spacious” or “Change the color palette to brighter, bolder tones.”
• Layout-focused: “Add a testimonials section below this block” or “Create a simple contact page with name, email, and message fields.”
• Content-focused: “Rewrite my bio to sound more confident and concise” or “Translate this paragraph into Spanish while keeping tone professional.”
• Editorial: “Suggest five headline options for this article” or “Check this paragraph for factual accuracy and suggest citations.”

Prompt tips

To get predictable outcomes, include intent, style descriptors, and constraints. For example: “Create a hero section with a bold headline, centered CTA, and a clean sans-serif font. Keep it minimal and mobile-friendly.” Adding constraints such as target audience, tone, or layout limits helps preserve brand consistency.

How does image creation work?

Image creation is available directly through the media library using a Generate Image control. Users can request new images or edits to existing assets and specify requirements such as aspect ratio, style, or mood. This on-site workflow removes the need to switch between external image tools and the site editor, accelerating visual iteration.

What are the limitations and safeguards?

While the WordPress AI assistant streamlines many tasks, it is not a substitute for human oversight. Key limitations and safety measures include:

• Compatibility: The assistant works with block-based themes and may not appear in legacy editors or custom environments that bypass block templates.
• Accuracy: Content edits and fact checks should be verified before publishing, especially for technical, legal, or medical content.
• Editorial control: All AI-applied changes should be reviewed by an editor; the assistant suggests edits but does not replace editorial judgment.
• Privacy and data use: Site owners should consult the service settings and terms to understand how content is processed and whether any usage data is stored or used to improve models.

How should site owners adopt the assistant responsibly?

Adopting AI features responsibly requires a combination of technical controls and editorial processes. Consider these steps:

1. Start in a staging environment. Test layout and content changes on a duplicate site before applying to production.
2. Define guardrails. Create a style guide and list of content rules the assistant should follow, and check outputs against that guide.
3. Audit outputs. Regularly review changes to ensure brand voice, accuracy, and accessibility are preserved.
4. Train teams. Give editors and contributors basic training on prompt framing and verification workflows.

Why this matters for publishers and businesses

Built-in AI editing tools shift work that previously required dedicated design or developer time into the hands of content creators. For small publishers, agencies, and businesses, that can mean faster iteration, lower production costs, and more frequent updates. But it also increases the importance of governance: speed should not come at the expense of accuracy, user experience, or compliance.

For teams focused on personalization and user experience, the assistant can be a multiplier. If you are experimenting with AI-driven personalization or autonomous agents for on-page experiences, see our coverage of related infrastructure and best practices in AI website personalization and agent management. For example, learn more about autonomous agent workflows and growth strategies in our feature on AI website personalization or review operational guidance in AI agent management platform. If you manage the infrastructure that powers AI features, our analysis of devops and app infrastructure may help you plan for scale: AI app infrastructure.

Will AI replace designers and editors?

Short answer: no. The assistant automates routine tasks and accelerates iteration, but human creativity, judgment, and context are still required. Designers, editors, and strategists remain essential for defining brand identity, making critical editorial calls, and ensuring long-term strategy aligns with audience needs.

How teams can benefit

• Designers gain time back to focus on high-impact creative work.
• Editors can produce more drafts and test variations faster.
• Marketers can iterate landing pages and campaign assets with less friction.

Frequently asked question for featured snippets

How do I enable and use the WordPress AI assistant on my site?

To enable the assistant, open your Sites list, select the site, go to Settings, find AI tools, and toggle Enable AI assistant on. Use the assistant from the editor toolbar, the collaborative notes mention command, or the media library Generate Image control to apply design, content, or image changes using natural-language prompts. Review and publish changes after verifying content and design.

Practical prompt examples to try now

• “Create a short hero with a punchy headline, 2-sentence subhead, and a single centered CTA.”
• “Make this page more minimal: increase whitespace and switch headings to a clean sans-serif.”
• “Rewrite this about section to sound more conversational and trustworthy.”
• “Add a contact page with a simple form and a short privacy note.”
• “Generate a landscape image in 16:9 with a subtle gradient background and a professional photographic style.”

Final thoughts and next steps

The built-in WordPress AI assistant is a meaningful step toward making web design and content editing more accessible. It reduces friction for routine edits and streamlines visual and editorial iteration. At the same time, adopting the assistant responsibly requires testing, editorial oversight, and an understanding of compatibility limits. When used as a collaborator rather than a replacement, the assistant can accelerate workflows and help teams publish better, faster.

Ready to try the assistant on your site? Enable it in Settings, test changes in a staging environment, and use the prompt examples above to get started. If you want deeper guidance on integrating AI into site workflows or scaling infrastructure to support richer AI experiences, explore our related coverage linked above.

Call to action: Enable the WordPress AI assistant on your site today and sign up for updates and practical how-to guides from Artificial Intel News to make the most of AI-powered site editing.