WordPress.com has released a new batch of platform updates, introducing two major changes focused on artificial intelligence and subscription management. The updates, which were detailed in the company’s bi-weekly changelog covering July 31 to August 13, 2026, aim to improve user control over AI outputs and clarify the consequences of lapsed plans.
AI Guidelines Feature
The most significant update involves a new “Guidelines” settings page. This tool allows site owners to define their brand’s writing style, image preferences, and overall goals once, rather than inputting that context repeatedly. The system is designed so that the WordPress Agent, a built-in AI assistant, references these stored guidelines when generating content.
This feature applies across multiple interfaces, including the site editor, Telegram, and email. According to the official announcement, the purpose is to ensure that all AI-generated material aligns with the specific identity of the user’s website, moving away from generic output.
For users on a paid plan, the AI agent can also draft the guidelines automatically. It does this by analyzing previously published posts and pages, offering suggestions for each section of the guidelines document. The official statement emphasizes that this process requires user approval, as no changes are saved until the user accepts them. Furthermore, published content is never altered without explicit review.
Users can access the new feature via the Settings menu, under the “Guidelines” tab. The WordPress Agent must be enabled on the site for the generation capabilities to function.
Enhanced Renewal Notices
The second major update concerns the purchase management page. The company has revised how it communicates with users about impending plan expirations. The new system provides a tiered warning system that escalates in urgency as the renewal date approaches.
Initial notices appear months in advance, followed by a more direct warning at 60 days, and finally an urgent notice during the final week before expiration. The announcements are designed to clearly state what features and services would be lost if a subscription is not renewed, including access to plugins, custom themes, and storage capacity. This change aims to eliminate confusion and help users make informed decisions before their plans lapse.
Platform Fixes and Improvements
In addition to the primary features, the company released a series of fixes and performance upgrades across the platform.
Feature Additions
Paid users now have the ability to upload FLAC audio files. This format joins the existing supported audio types, which include MP3, M4A, WAV, and OGG.
Payment and Transaction Clarity
The system has been updated to provide more detailed feedback when a credit card is declined or a payment fails. This additional context is intended to assist users in troubleshooting payment issues more efficiently.
Plugin Management
A fix has been introduced for situations where a plugin installation stalls or fails to progress. Users will now have the option to navigate away from the stalled process, either by returning to their plugin list or by contacting support, rather than waiting indefinitely for the process to resolve itself.
Reader and Stats Updates
Several updates target the Reader and Stats features. The company states that a fix has been implemented to prevent duplicate posts from appearing in the Reader feed. Additionally, featured images in the Reader’s compact mobile view have been sharpened for better display quality. Accessibility has also been improved for the Views and Visitors chart in the Stats section, with enhanced contrast to aid readability.
These changes follow a standard development cycle. WordPress.com users may notice the new Guidelines page immediately, while the renewal warnings will become visible as subscription dates approach. The company indicates that further reliability updates are expected in the coming months, though no specific timeline was provided.
Source: WordPress.com
