Here’s a closer look at the Embed blocks available in the new Gutenberg editor for WordPress. Watch the video for live examples, and I’ll included some tips below for each type of Embed block.
How to add Embed blocks in Gutenberg
To add Embed blocks in Gutenberg, just create a new block and then look for the Embeds category.
When adding Embed blocks, in most cases you’ll want to add single posts, photos or videos instead of a profile page, otherwise you’ll get error messages. Also, play around with the width settings for each post, as each platform has different results.
Types of Embed blocks
Generic Embed
The generic embed allows you to embed any link that supports automatic embedding. Try the generic Embed block if you think you might be able to use the embed feature but don’t see the particular service listed, or check out the WordPress Codex.
The Twitter Embed block works great for single tweets. But don’t use it for an entire profile or the page will scroll on forever.
Youtube
With YouTube you can embed single videos or playlists. This embed block supports wide and full screen blocks.
While editing, the preview for the Facebook post isn’t available in the editor. Also, you’ll need to embed single posts, photos or videos. Attempt to embed an entire page and you’ll likely get an error.
Instagram embeds only work for single photos or videos. However, IGTV posts don’t seem to embed.
Vimeo
Vimeo embeds as expected like YouTube. This embed block supports wide and full screen.
Issuu
The Issuu embed works, but doesn’t expand as much as I was expecting. See the video above for an example of what happens when you embed from Issuu.
Slideshare
Slideshare adds a square embed space, but leaves black bars on the top and bottom of the embedded block. This embed block supports wide and full screen. See the video above for an example.
SmugMug
Embedding a photo from SmugMug took a few tries before it worked, and it added a large gap between the photo and the top. See the video above for an example.
Got questions?
Got questions about WordPress and the new editor? Let me know in the comments below.