Gutenberg Basics: Building a Fast, Clean Post Layout

The WordPress block editor, known as Gutenberg, fundamentally changed how content is created in
WordPress. Moving from a single text area to a block-based approach opens new possibilities for
layout and design while maintaining content structure. This guide teaches you to use Gutenberg
effectively, focusing on building fast-loading, cleanly structured posts that work well for readers
and search engines alike.

I. Understanding the Block Editor Interface

Before creating content, familiarize yourself with the Gutenberg interface. Understanding where
controls are located and how to access different features makes the editing process smoother and
faster.

A. The Three Main Areas

Gutenberg divides the editing screen into distinct functional areas. Each serves a specific purpose
in your content creation workflow.

• Top toolbar: Contains the block inserter button (+), undo/redo controls, document
  outline, and view options. The view menu lets you toggle between visual and code editors.
• Content canvas: The center area where you create and arrange blocks. Each block is a
  self-contained content element with its own settings.
• Settings sidebar: Located on the right, this panel shows settings for either the entire
  post (Post tab) or the currently selected block (Block tab). Toggle it with the settings icon in
  the top toolbar.

B. Block Selection and Navigation

Selecting the right block quickly becomes intuitive, but knowing the tools available prevents
frustration with nested or similar-looking blocks.

• Breadcrumb navigation: At the bottom of the editor, a breadcrumb shows your current
  block’s position in the document hierarchy. Click parent block names to select them.
• List View: Access via the three-line icon in the top toolbar. This shows all blocks in a
  hierarchical list, making it easy to select, reorder, or delete blocks.
• Block toolbar: Appears above selected blocks. Contains block-specific controls like
  alignment, text formatting, and transform options.

II. Essential Blocks for Article Content

WordPress includes dozens of blocks, but most articles use only a handful. Mastering these core
blocks covers ninety percent of typical content creation needs.

A. Text Content Blocks

• Paragraph: The default block for body text. Supports inline formatting like bold, italic,
  links, and inline code. Each paragraph is a separate block.
• Heading: Creates H2 through H6 headings. Always use proper heading hierarchy (H2 for main
  sections, H3 for subsections) rather than choosing headings based on visual size.
• List: Creates ordered (numbered) or unordered (bulleted) lists. Individual list items can
  contain rich text formatting. Nest lists by indenting.
• Quote: Formats text as a blockquote with optional citation. Useful for attributing
  statements to sources or highlighting key points.

B. Media Blocks

• Image: Insert images from the media library or upload new ones. Always add alt text for
  accessibility. Set appropriate size (full width is rarely optimal).
• Gallery: Display multiple images in a grid. Specify columns and cropping behavior in
  block settings. Consider load time impact for large galleries.
• Video: Embed videos from your media library or external sources. For YouTube and Vimeo,
  use the dedicated embed blocks instead for better performance.
• Cover: Overlay text on a background image. Useful for section headers but adds file
  weight. Use sparingly for performance.

C. Structural Blocks

• Group: Container that wraps other blocks. Apply background colors, borders, or padding to
  grouped content. Essential for layout control.
• Columns: Create multi-column layouts. Resizable columns support any block type. Consider
  how columns stack on mobile devices.
• Separator: Visual divider between sections. Choose from three styles: short line, wide
  line, or dots. Adds semantic section breaks.
• Spacer: Adds vertical whitespace. Use sparingly—usually you can achieve spacing through
  margin settings in adjacent blocks.

III. Building Efficient Post Structures

How you structure posts affects both reader experience and page performance. Clean, consistent
structures make content scannable and keep file sizes manageable.

A. Content Hierarchy Best Practices

• Start with outline: Before adding content, add your heading blocks as an outline. This
  ensures logical flow and proper heading hierarchy.
• One idea per block: Keep paragraph blocks focused. Multiple short paragraphs are easier
  to edit than long text blocks.
• Section grouping: Wrap related blocks in Group containers when they share styling. This
  reduces repetitive setting adjustments.
• Consistent patterns: Use the same structure for similar content. If how-to sections
  always have a list followed by an image, maintain that pattern.

B. Performance-Conscious Design

Every block adds code to your page. Complex layouts with many nested blocks increase page weight and
parsing time.

• Minimize nesting: Avoid deeply nested Group and Column structures. Flatter hierarchies
  load faster and are easier to edit.
• Limit decorative blocks: Cover blocks and background images add significant weight.
  Reserve them for key visual impact points.
• Optimize images: Resize images before uploading. A 5000px image scaled down to 800px in
  the editor still downloads at full size.
• Test render time: Complex block layouts increase Time to Interactive. Test your post
  templates with Core Web Vitals tools.

IV. Reusable Blocks and Patterns

Gutenberg includes two powerful features for content reuse: Reusable Blocks (now called Synced
Patterns) and Block Patterns. Understanding when to use each saves time and ensures consistency.

A. Synced Patterns (Reusable Blocks)

Synced Patterns are blocks you create once and insert anywhere. Changes to the pattern update all
instances across your site.

• Creation: Select any block or group, click the three-dot menu, and choose “Create
  pattern.” Set it as synced to enable global updates.
• Use cases: Call-to-action boxes, author bios, consistent callouts,