Block governance, six ways
WordPress lets you decide exactly how much freedom each editor gets, block by block. The six examples below are grouped from the most freedom to the least. They look similar on the live site. The difference shows up in the editor: open this page in the block editor and try changing each one.
| Example | Type | Edit text | Change look | Move or delete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fully editable | No locks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2. Pinned in place | Block lock | Yes | Yes | No |
| 3. Reorder only | Block lock | Yes | Yes | Reorder only |
| 4. Content only | Block lock | Yes | No | No |
| 5. Pattern overrides | Synced pattern | Headline and button only | No | Yes |
| 6. Fully locked | Synced pattern | No | No | No |
No locks
The default. Editors have full control.
Example 1
Fully editable
No restrictions. Editors can rewrite the text, change colors and spacing, add or remove blocks, move it, or delete it.
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Try it: change this text, pick a new background color, add an image, or delete the whole card.
Block locks
Set on a single block on a single page. Choose what editors can move, remove, add, or restyle.
Example 2
Pinned in place
Editors can change the text and the look, but cannot move or delete this block. Useful for sections every page must have, like a newsletter sign-up or a contact strip.
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Try it: restyle this card however you like. Then try to drag it or delete it. You will see a lock icon instead.
Example 3
Reorder only
The set of items is fixed. Editors can edit and rearrange the three steps, but cannot add a fourth or remove one.
Step 1: Plan
Agree on goals and audience.
Step 2: Build
Assemble the page from approved blocks.
Step 3: Launch
Review, approve, and publish.
Example 4
Content only
Editors can update the words and the button link, but the design is fixed: no color, font, spacing, or layout changes, and no adding or removing blocks. Brand stays on brand.
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Try it: click into this text and type. Then look for the color and style settings. They are not there.
Synced patterns
One original, reused across many pages. Update the original once and every copy changes. Optionally let editors change chosen fields on each page.
Example 5
Pattern overrides
A synced pattern where only the headline and the button text and link can change on each page. The intro sentence and the list of benefits stay locked, and any update to them rolls out everywhere the pattern is used.
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Every plan includes the same approved benefits:
- Enterprise-grade security
- 24/7 expert support
- Built-in performance at scale
Example 6
Fully locked
A synced pattern, also locked so it cannot be moved or removed. Editors cannot change anything on this page. Only someone with permission to edit the original pattern can update it, and that update rolls out to every page that uses it.
Approved compliance notice
This message was approved by Legal and is managed in one central place. Any update made to the original appears on every page that uses it, instantly.