Using Linkilo with Gutenberg (Block Editor)

Gutenberg is Linkilo’s native home

If you’re using the default WordPress block editor (Gutenberg), Linkilo runs in its most native mode. The suggestion box sits on the edit screen, and Apply Link writes a clean link into the actual block content — no special configuration needed.

This is the path the rest of the documentation assumes by default.

How Linkilo reads Gutenberg posts

The block editor stores content as a mix of HTML and block markers like <!-- wp:paragraph -->. Linkilo:

1. Reads the post content.
2. Walks the block structure without rendering shortcodes or running other plugins’ code, so it stays fast and safe.
3. Expands reusable blocks (synced patterns) a few levels deep when it checks for existing links, so a link inside a reusable block is counted just like a link in regular content.
4. Skips over block-level wrappers and reads the actual text inside each paragraph, heading, or list block.

If a block contains a shortcode that only renders something at view time, Linkilo skips that shortcode and reads what’s directly in the block.

Where the suggestion box appears

Open any post in the block editor. Look for the Linkilo AI Suggestions box on the edit screen. Two tabs at the top: AI Suggestions (with the OPENAI badge) and Legacy Suggestions (with the FREE badge — no API key needed).

If you don’t see the box:

1. Click the three-dot menu (top-right of the editor) → Preferences → Panels → confirm Linkilo’s box is checked.
2. Confirm the post type is enabled in Linkilo → Settings → General → Scan these post types.
3. Check Linkilo → Settings → General → The post-edit suggestion panel: Suggestion buttons in the editor controls whether the AI button, the Legacy button, or both are shown.

How “Apply” works on a Gutenberg post

When you click Apply Link:

1. Linkilo finds the source sentence in the block content.
2. Wraps the anchor text in a link, block-aware — heading blocks stay heading blocks; list items keep their list formatting.
3. Writes the modified content back.
4. Leaves a note for the editor so it knows to refresh if you’re currently editing the post.

When you reload the editor, the link is present in the right block — not a separate paragraph, not a stray wrapper.

Reusable blocks

Links Linkilo writes into the body of a post live in the post’s own content. Linkilo does not edit the source of a reusable block (synced pattern) — that would cascade the change to every other post using that block, which is rarely what you want.

Working with full-site editing (FSE) themes

Linkilo scans posts and pages, not template parts. If you’re using an FSE theme with wp_template and wp_template_part post types, those aren’t scanned by default. You usually don’t want them scanned — templates are layout, not content. Leave them unticked under Settings → General → Scan these post types.

Troubleshooting

The box appears but is empty

Click Get AI Suggestions (or Get Legacy Suggestions) explicitly. By default the box doesn’t fetch on page load — it waits for you to ask. (You can change this under Settings → General → The post-edit suggestion panel.)

After clicking Apply, the editor still shows the old content

Reload the post. The block editor keeps the loaded post in memory and doesn’t auto-refresh when content changes outside the editor. After reload, the link is in the correct block.

“Get AI Suggestions” hangs forever

Usually an AI provider key or outbound HTTPS issue. Go to Linkilo → Settings → AI Settings and click Test Core Provider, then see Troubleshooting for the full checklist.

See also

• Using Linkilo with Elementor
• Using Linkilo with Divi
• Using Linkilo with the Classic Editor
• AI Suggestions

Last reviewed for Linkilo 3.0.0 (October 2026).