ACF

TLDR: Managing large WordPress content can be challenging; adding post meta programmatically aids organization and efficiency. While possible without plugins, ACF makes the process user-friendly and scalable. Steps include creating backups, using custom plugins, and testing in safe environments. You can add meta to all posts, specific posts, or create new posts with custom metadata. ACF allows for easy custom field creation and management, making it ideal for non-technical teams, enhancing metadata handling and overall content management.

https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/wordpress-add-post-meta-programmatically/

Advanced Custom Fields 6.4.1 released with new features, enhancements, and bug fixes. Highlights include: selectable fields for new options, disabled Escaped HTML warning by default, Icon Picker array support, ACF Blocks in preview mode for synced patterns, and fixes for compatibility issues. Follow updates on Twitter.

https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/acf-6-4-1/

ACF Chat Fridays is a monthly meetup for the Advanced Custom Fields community. The May 2, 2025 session featured a demo of inline editing for ACF Blocks, discussed ACF PRO 6.4's release, and encouraged community feedback. Hosted by Iain Poulson and others, it highlighted streamlined workflows and introduced new features while maintaining backward compatibility. Inline editing will be optional and not support certain complex fields initially. Upcoming sessions are scheduled monthly, with the next on June 6, 2025.

https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/acf-chat-fridays-acf-blocks-inline-editing-demo/

• WordPress reusable blocks (now “synced patterns”) enable site-wide content updates from a single edit.
• Useful for standard content (CTAs, bios) but limited for complex data or logic.
• ACF Blocks offer advanced customization with fields and dynamic data handling.
• Users can manage, edit, and organize their patterns easily within WordPress.
• Export and import patterns via WordPress tools or plugins for multi-site management.
• ACF Blocks enhance flexibility for complex content without requiring extensive coding knowledge.

https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/wordpress-reusable-block/

Custom taxonomies in WordPress enhance content organization beyond default categories/tags, especially for custom post types. ACF® simplifies creating and linking taxonomies, allowing multiple types (e.g., Brand, Size) for a single post type. Custom fields enrich taxonomy data, enabling better filtering and organization. Common setup issues can be resolved with proper configuration. ACF provides a user-friendly interface for managing taxonomies, promoting efficient content structuring for diverse site types, from recipes to e-commerce.

https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/add-taxonomy-to-custom-post-type/

TLDR: Block templates in WordPress standardize post structures, reducing errors and speeding up content creation. They differ from block patterns as they auto-load specific layouts, enable customization, and can be locked to maintain consistency. Custom templates can be created using ACF®, catering to various content types. Best practices include locking critical blocks, using placeholders, defining attributes, and reusing template parts for efficiency. Overall, they enhance control and adaptability for web developers.

https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/wordpress-block-templates/

ACF Chat Fridays connect the Advanced Custom Fields community with the plugin developers. The April 4, 2025 session discussed ACF PRO 6.4’s upcoming release, block editor improvements, and user challenges. Participants learned about workflow optimization and future priorities from the ACF team. Hosted by Iain Poulson, Matt Shaw, and Phil Johnston, the session included a Q&A covering custom classes in block editors, post type issues, image field updates, and rendering properties. Upcoming ACF Chat Fridays sessions are scheduled for the first Friday of each month.

https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/acf-chat-fridays-april-qa/

ACF version 6.4 released, adding WooCommerce HPOS support for better database performance. Major refactor improves how ACF stores data, enabling integration with WooCommerce's custom tables. Update includes Composer for improved code efficiency and fixes for Group fields in Repeaters. Future features in development include ACF Blocks integration and editor enhancements. Community feedback encouraged.

https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/acf-6-4-released/

1. WP-Cron's reliance on page loads affects performance; disable it for reliable automation.
2. Implement alternatives via manual config, plugins, or host controls.
3. Focus on optimizing task intervals, logging, and database efficiency.
4. Crons automate tasks but can fail, leading to website issues.
5. Disabling WP-Cron allows for server-side cron setups for improved reliability.
6. Manage tasks using plugins like WP Crontrol or hosting tools for better performance.
7. Regularly review and optimize cron jobs to avoid failures and improve efficiency.

https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/wordpress-wp-cron-php/

TLDR: The WordPress White Screen of Death (WSoD) halts website functionality, necessitating diagnosis via methods like disabling plugins, switching themes, clearing cache, or increasing PHP memory limits. 71% of companies faced downtime in 2021, costing $5,600 per minute. Key solutions include enabling debug mode, increasing memory limits, deactivating plugins/themes, clearing caches, addressing auto-update errors, checking for code errors, and restoring backups. Best prevention strategies involve using staging environments, maintaining regular backups, employing error monitoring tools, and ensuring proper access control. Structured development practices via tools like Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) enhance stability and reduce WSoD occurrences.

https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/wordpress-white-screen-of-death/