1. Why Learning the WordPress Editor Matters

A contributor who fumbles the WordPress editor slows down publishing, breaks formatting, and creates cleanup work for editors.

A contributor who understands the WordPress editor produces clean, consistent, AP‑Style‑aligned articles that are easy to publish and easy to optimize.

Mastering the editor improves:

• Formatting consistency
• SEO execution
• Readability
• Workflow speed
• Editorial accuracy
• Contributor confidence
• Error‑proof publishing

Every Total Apex contributor must know how to use the WordPress editor because it is the final step before publication.

2. What the WordPress Editor Is

The WordPress editor (Gutenberg) is a block‑based writing interface where every element — paragraphs, headers, images, embeds, lists — is a “block.”

The editor is designed to:

• Keep formatting clean
• Make structure consistent
• Support SEO
• Prevent layout errors
• Allow easy editing and rearranging

If you can master blocks, you can master WordPress.

3. The Core Blocks You’ll Use (Contributor‑Safe)

A. Paragraph Block

Your default writing block.

Use for all standard text.

B. Heading Block

Use for:

• H2 (major sections)
• H3 (subsections)

Never use H1 — WordPress automatically assigns it to the title.

C. List Block

Use for:

• Steps
• Tips
• Rankings
• Bullet points

D. Image Block

Use for:

• Article images
• Screenshots
• Graphics

Always add alt text.

E. Quote Block

Use for:

• Direct quotes
• Pull quotes

F. Embed Block

Use for:

• YouTube
• X/Twitter
• TikTok
• Instagram

These blocks keep embeds clean and responsive.

4. How to Create and Manage Blocks

A. Adding a Block

• Click the + icon
• Search for the block type
• Insert it into the article

B. Moving Blocks

• Use the up/down arrows
• Or drag the block using the handle

C. Deleting a Block

• Click the block
• Click the three dots
• Select Remove block

D. Transforming a Block

You can convert:

• Paragraph → Heading
• Paragraph → List
• List → Paragraph
• Paragraph → Quote

This keeps formatting flexible.

5. How to Format Headers (Critical)

H1

• Automatically assigned to the title
• Never use inside the article

H2

• Major sections
• Use sentence case
• Include secondary keywords naturally

H3

• Subsections
• Use sentence case
• Add detail, examples, steps

Correct Structure

H1 (title)

→ H2

→→ H3

→ H2

→→ H3

Incorrect Structure

H1 → H3

H2 → H4

Multiple H1s

Headers must follow a clean hierarchy.

6. How to Add Images Correctly

A. Insert an Image Block

• Click +
• Choose Image
• Upload or select from Media Library

B. Add Alt Text

Alt text must:

• Describe the image
• Be 8–14 words
• Be factual
• Include keywords only if natural

C. Set Alignment

• Center for most images
• Wide/full width only when appropriate

D. Add Captions (Optional)

Use only when needed for clarity.

7. How to Add Links (Internal + External)

A. Adding a Link

• Highlight text
• Click the link icon
• Paste the URL
• Press Enter

B. Internal Links

Use descriptive anchor text:

• our Elden Ring builds guide
• today’s NBA standings

C. External Links

Use only when:

• Citing sources
• Linking to official statements
• Linking to authoritative references

D. Open External Links in a New Tab

Check “Open in new tab” for external links only.

8. How to Use the Sidebar Settings

The right sidebar controls:

A. Document Settings

• Categories
• Tags
• Featured image
• Slug (URL)
• Excerpt (meta description)

B. Block Settings

Each block has its own:

• Alignment
• Color
• Typography
• Spacing
• Advanced options

Contributors should focus on document settings — editors handle advanced styling.

9. SEO Tasks Inside the Editor

A. Add the Primary Keyword to:

• Title
• First 100 words
• One H2
• URL slug
• Meta description

B. Add Internal Links

5–10 per article.

C. Add Image Alt Text

Every image must have alt text.

D. Add a Clean URL Slug

Short, lowercase, hyphens only.

E. Add a Meta Description

155 characters, keyword included once.

10. WordPress Editor Workflow for Total Apex Contributors

A. Paste your draft into WordPress

Use plain text to avoid formatting issues.

B. Convert your sections into H2s and H3s

Follow the header structure guide.

C. Add images + alt text

Keep them relevant and properly placed.

D. Add internal links

Use descriptive anchor text.

E. Add external links (if needed)

Only authoritative sources.

F. Add categories and tags

Follow Total Apex taxonomy rules.

G. Add the featured image

Editors may replace or optimize.

H. Add the meta description

Clear, compelling, keyword‑aligned.

I. Preview the article

Check formatting, spacing, and flow.

J. Submit for editorial review

Never publish directly unless authorized.

11. Common WordPress Editor Mistakes (and Fixes)

A. Using multiple H1s

❌ Adding H1 blocks

✔️ Use only H2 and H3

B. Pasting formatted text

❌ Bringing in messy HTML

✔️ Paste as plain text

C. Forgetting alt text

❌ Empty alt fields

✔️ Add descriptive alt text

D. Using vague anchor text

❌ click here  

✔️ our PS5 overheating guide

E. Not checking mobile preview

❌ Desktop‑only formatting

✔️ Ensure mobile readability

F. Overusing embeds

❌ Embedding every tweet

✔️ Use embeds sparingly

Final Takeaway for Total Apex Writers

The WordPress editor is the final stage of professional publishing — and mastering it ensures your content is clean, structured, and ready for SEO success.

Total Apex WordPress Editor Essentials

• Use blocks correctly
• Follow header hierarchy
• Add alt text to every image
• Use descriptive internal links
• Add categories, tags, and meta descriptions
• Keep formatting clean and consistent
• Preview before submitting

Mastering the WordPress editor ensures every Total Apex article — across news, gaming, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle — is polished, professional, and ready for publication.