--- title: "January 2025 Monthly Updates: New extension Theme Compatibility Updates, new options added to Nexter Blocks, WordPress News, Google SEO Update & More" url: https://nexterwp.com/blog/january-2025-monthly-updates/ date: 2025-02-20 modified: 2026-04-14 author: "Aditya Sharma" description: "As promised, we'll continue to add more features that will improve your Nexter experience. Here’s a quick overview of what’s new and upgraded this month in Nexter Extension Free and Pro versions and Nexter..." image: https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Nexter-Blocks-January-updates-2025-1024x519.jpg word_count: 629 --- # January 2025 Monthly Updates: New extension Theme Compatibility Updates, new options added to Nexter Blocks, WordPress News, Google SEO Update & More ## Key Takeaways - Nexter Extension now supports Nexter Theme Builder with popular themes like Astra and GeneratePress. - Nexter Blocks includes a Dashicons Global Setting for improved performance through CSS control. - Media Listing in Nexter Blocks supports lazy loading for images, enhancing page speed. - Carousel Anything block in Nexter Blocks features a new smooth fade transition option. As promised, we'll continue to add more features that will improve your Nexter experience. Here’s a quick overview of what’s new and upgraded this month in [**Nexter Extension**](https://nexterwp.com/nexter-extension//)** Free and Pro versions** and [**Nexter Blocks**](https://nexterwp.com/nexter-blocks/)** Free** and **Pro versions**. A big update in **Nexter Extension** : Nexter Theme Builder (for headers, footers, single posts, archives, 404 pages, and custom hooks) and Code Snippets now work smoothly with popular themes: - **Astra** - **Hello Elementor** - **GeneratePress** - **OceanWP** - **Kadence** - **Blocksy** - **Neve** With this update, you can now conveniently use Nexter Theme Builder with your preferred WordPress theme. Also, we have added more new options to **Nexter Blocks:** - **Dashicons Global Setting**: You can now control how Dashicons load with a global CSS setting, helping with better performance. - **Media Listing Lazy Loading**: Images in the **Media Listing** now support **lazy loading**, so they only load when needed, making pages faster. - **Carousel Fade Transition**: The **Carousel Anything** block now includes a smooth **fade transition** option, giving a more polished sliding effect. We’re always improving and making sure you have the best experience with Nexter, so stay connected to get the latest updates. For all the changes, [**Check out the complete changelog here.**](https://roadmap.nexterwp.com/updates) ## 📖 — Latest Reads - [How to Add Text Animation in WordPress [with Plugin Method]](https://nexterwp.com/blog/how-to-add-text-animation-in-wordpress/) - [How to Remove Unused JavaScript in WordPress [10 Easy Ways]](https://nexterwp.com/blog/how-to-remove-unused-javascript-in-wordpress/) - [How to Add Process Steps in WordPress [3 Easy Methods]](https://nexterwp.com/blog/how-to-add-process-steps-in-wordpress/) - [How to Add a WordPress Before After Slider [Step-by-Step Guide]](https://nexterwp.com/blog/how-to-add-a-wordpress-before-after-slider/) - [How to Make Affiliate Marketing Website in WordPress [Step-by-Step Guide]](https://nexterwp.com/blog/how-to-make-affiliate-marketing-website-in-wordpress/) ## 📹— Video Tutorials - [How to resolve 404 Page not found Error on WordPress](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROeYvobXgjM&list=PLFRO-irWzXaLK9H5opSt88xueTnRhqvO5&index=1) - [How to Set Up Push Notifications on Your WordPress Site?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG5Y7okf7eQ) - [Best WordPress Hosting (Our Personal Picks with Pros & Cons)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_IdAXT4OKY) - [Best 6 Security Plugins for WordPress Sites](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slfZ0NwzWsg) - [Best 5 WordPress Email Plugins](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfkjFCRhqNE&list=PLFRO-irWzXaLK9H5opSt88xueTnRhqvO5&index=9) ## 🗞️ — WordPress & Tech Bytes - [**Gutenberg 20.0 has been released**](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/01/11/whats-new-in-gutenberg-20-0-10-january/), marking the 200th release of Gutenberg. The latest update brings improvements to the Style Block, introduces a new option to set a page as the posts page, and features a refreshed UI for starter patterns. - [**WooCommerce 9.6**](https://developer.woocommerce.com/2025/01/20/woocommerce-9-6-fresh-new-tools-and-modernizing-classics/#:~:text=WooCommerce%209.6%20has%20been%20released,View%20the%20full%20changelog.) has been released with key updates, including the full release of the 'Brands' feature, automatic measurement units based on store location, and improved text styling for the Product Summary block. - WordPress.com [**introduces Studio Sync**](https://wordpress.com/blog/2025/01/06/studio-sync/), a new feature in its Studio app that lets users seamlessly sync local, staging, and live sites. Available for Business and Commerce plan users, it also supports team collaboration. - [**Google now requires JavaScript**](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/confirmed-google-is-requiring-javascript-to-block-seo-tools/537705/) to access search results, limiting data scraping by SEO tools. The update aims to prevent abuse and maintain result integrity. - Google [**discontinued its Web Vitals Chrome extension**](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-retires-web-vitals-extension-moves-everything-to-devtools/537401/) in January 2025, moving all key functionalities into Chrome DevTools' Performance panel. Developers are encouraged to use DevTools to monitor Core Web Vitals. - Google will move all [**reCAPTCHA services to its Cloud Platform**](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-to-migrate-all-recaptcha-services-to-cloud-platform/538749/) by the end of 2025, requiring users to migrate their existing keys to Google Cloud projects, with up to 10,000 free assessments per month. - Google’s John Mueller confirmed that[ **alt text should prioritize accessibility over SEO**](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-confirms-alt-text-is-not-primarily-an-seo-decision/538412/). He emphasized that the primary goal is to serve users, not search engines. ## 🔥 — Tool of the Month [**Google Site Kit**](https://sitekit.withgoogle.com/) is an official WordPress plugin by Google that helps website owners easily access key insights from various Google tools—all in one place. This tool is ideal for bloggers, business owners, and developers who want an easy way to monitor and optimize their websites! ![](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Google-Site-Kit.png) ## 🗣️— Word of the Month #### Lightest Plugin with All Essential Features *Simply replace half of your existing plugins by installing this one. I have been using the Nexter Theme and this plugin for a long time on all my business sites. Their support is exceptional and always available whenever needed. They even provide tips and tricks for productivity, which is my favorite aspect of their service.This is an exceptional product made by exceptional people.* [*~@lucasweber1989*](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/lightest-plugin-with-all-essential-features/) **[Subscribe our Newsletter, get Monthly & Weekly Product updates, News and more....✉️](#subscribe)** ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: What new features were added to Nexter Blocks in January 2025?** A: Nexter Blocks introduced several new options, including a global setting for Dashicons to enhance performance, lazy loading for images in the Media Listing, and a smooth fade transition for the Carousel Anything block. These updates aim to improve user experience and page speed. **Q: What are the performance benefits of using lazy loading in Nexter Blocks?** A: Lazy loading in Nexter Blocks ensures that images in the Media Listing only load when needed, which can significantly improve page load times. This is particularly beneficial for sites with many images, as it reduces initial load time and enhances user experience. **Q: What should I know about the Google SEO update mentioned in the January 2025 updates?** A: The January 2025 Google SEO update requires JavaScript to access search results, which limits data scraping by SEO tools. This change aims to maintain the integrity of search results and may impact how developers optimize their sites for SEO. **Q: What is the best practice for using the Carousel Anything block in Nexter Blocks?** A: Utilizing the new fade transition option in the Carousel Anything block can enhance the visual appeal of your site. This feature provides a more polished sliding effect, making it ideal for showcasing images or testimonials without distracting users. **Q: How can I stay updated on NexterWP's new features and improvements?** A: To stay informed about the latest features and updates from NexterWP, consider subscribing to their newsletter. This will provide you with monthly and weekly updates, ensuring you don't miss any important changes or enhancements.