University of Wisconsin–Madison
The UW Featured Post block icon looks like a page layout with text and a star image, representing a featured post.

UW Featured Post

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Select a single post to feature anywhere on a page. Add multiple UW Featured Post blocks to create a small collection of handpicked posts.

Block Preview

Featured Post is a simplified version of the Query Loop block. Instead of pulling in many posts automatically, it lets you choose a single post to feature.

How to use

Insert the block

Using the Block Inserter (+ icon), search for UW Featured Post and select it. You can also type
/uw featured post in a new paragraph block and press Enter to add it quickly.

You’ll see the option to Choose a pattern or Start blank. Use a Featured Post pattern for a quick, ready-to-use design.

Look for patterns that start with Featured Post in the name. You can also find them in the Single Post category under the Patterns tab in the Block Inserter.

When select "Choose" a pattern, a modal with a grid of available post patterns appears, including post patterns with the Featured Post block.

Select and edit a post

In the block settings, pick Pages or Posts, then search and select the item you want to show.

Tip: Can’t find the block settings?

Since the UW Featured Post block is based on the WordPress Query Loop block, it has an outer container that can be hard to click on to access these blocks settings. Use List View to select it if you have trouble opening the block settings.

Post and page content

Featured image and page/post excerpt

If you want an image and excerpt to display with your page or post, you must have both of them set. This setting is located under the Page/Post settings.

The "Set featured image"  button and "Add an excerpt" link are located under the Page/Post title in the settings sidebar.
Page/Post image and excerpt settings

Page/post data

Patterns with UW Featured Post come with page/post blocks already in place — like Featured Image, Title, Date, and Excerpt. Use List View to see them. You can rearrange, remove, or add more, and each block has its own settings and style options.

Reference the WordPress Theme Blocks list to view which blocks work inside the Query Loop (and therefore inside UW Featured Post).

List View shows what WordPress blocks are nested within the UW Featured Post block.
Page/Post blocks within a Featured Post

Page/post titles

When using one of the featured post patterns, page/post titles will automatically link to the page or post. This can be turned off by selecting the Title block and toggling off Make title a link.

Select the appropriate heading level for your title.

The "Make title a link" toggle is located under the Settings section for the Title block.

Recommendations

Green check mark

When to use


  • You have one story or post to promote on a page.
  • You want to highlight a small, curated set (2–4 posts) that you choose by hand.
  • You need precise control over which posts appear, instead of an automated feed.
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When to consider something else


Use the Query Loop block with a pattern in the Post Listing category if…

  • You want an automatic feed (by category, tag, or date).
  • You need to display many posts or paginate results.
A person-shaped figure inside a solid circle symbolizing universal access.

Usability and accessibility


  • Choose the correct level in settings so your page outline stays logical.
  • Make sure featured images have meaningful alt text.