If you’ve ever stared at your WordPress site wishing someone could just fix it for you – good news. WordPress.com just launched a built-in AI assistant, and it might be the most useful thing to hit the platform in years.
What Is the WordPress AI Assistant?
Think of it like having a tech-savvy friend on call 24/7. You tell it what you want, and it gets to work, right inside your site editor.
Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, announced the new feature this week.
The assistant is built to understand your site’s layout and content so it can make smart changes based on what you ask.
And the best part? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to use it.
What Can You Actually Ask It to Do?
A lot, actually. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Style and Design Changes
Tired of how your site looks? Just say so.
- “Make this section feel more modern and spacious.”
- “Change my site’s colors to something brighter and bolder.”
- “Give me font options that feel clean and professional.”
The assistant reads your request and updates the design on the spot. You see the changes in real time as you work.
Layout and Page Edits
Need a new page or section? Easy.
- “Add a contact page.”
- “Add a testimonials section below this one.”
It handles the structure for you, so you’re not dragging and dropping blocks for an hour.
Content Updates
This is where things get really interesting. The AI can:
- Rewrite your bio to sound more confident
- Translate a section into another language
- Suggest stronger headlines
- Catch grammar mistakes
- Even fact-check your content
The Built-In Editor Gets Smarter Too
WordPress 6.9 introduced a collaborative block notes editor – kind of like Google Docs, but for your WordPress site. Now, you can bring the AI into that workflow.
Just type @ai followed by your question or request. The assistant will reply right there in the editor, complete with relevant links and source citations when needed.
It’s a smooth, natural way to get help without leaving your work.
AI-Powered Image Creation
Visuals matter. And WordPress.com knows it.
The AI assistant connects with Google Gemini’s image models to help you create or edit images right from your Media Library. Look for the new “Generate Image” button.
You can:
| Feature | What You Can Do |
|---|---|
| Create new images | Describe what you want in plain language |
| Edit existing images | Adjust style, tone, or composition |
| Set aspect ratios | Choose dimensions that fit your layout |
| Pick image styles | Match the look and feel of your brand |
One Big Thing to Know Before You Get Excited
Here’s a catch worth knowing about.
The AI assistant only works with block themes – not classic themes.
So if your site uses an older classic theme, the assistant won’t show up in your editor at all.
Not sure which theme type you’re using? It’s worth checking before you get your hopes up.
How to Turn It On
The assistant is opt-in, meaning it won’t just appear automatically for everyone. Here’s how to enable it:
- Log into WordPress.com
- Go to your Sites list
- Click your site name
- Head to Settings
- Scroll down to “AI tools”
- Toggle “Enable AI assistant” to ON
That’s it. Simple enough, right?
Note: If you bought your site through WordPress.com’s AI website builder, the assistant is already enabled for you. You don’t need to set up.
Is This Actually Worth Using?
For small business owners, bloggers, and anyone who manages their own site without a developer, absolutely worth trying.
Could it replace a professional web designer or copywriter? Not quite. But it can definitely save you hours of frustration on tasks that used to feel overwhelming.
Think of it less like a replacement and more like a really capable assistant who handles the boring stuff so you can focus on the big picture.
WordPress.com is making it easier than ever to build and manage a site on your own.
And with AI stepping in as your behind-the-scenes helper, there’s genuinely less standing between you and a site you’re proud of.
