General News Classic Premium available
· Current rank #776
Highlights · computed from our daily tracking data
- General News currently ranks #776 in the WordPress.org popular themes list.
- It is averaging 41 downloads/day over the last 30 days.
- The latest release, v2.1.3, shipped on Aug 5, 2026 (4 days ago) — release #49 since the theme joined the directory in 2023.
Ranking history
Active installs
Downloads per day
Details
| Author | AF themes |
|---|---|
| Current version | 2.1.3 |
| Versions released | 49 |
| Last updated | 2026-08-05 |
| Added to directory | 2023-01-30 |
| Requires WordPress | 4.0+ |
| Requires PHP | 5.0+ |
| Type | Classic theme |
| First tracked here | 2026-06-23 |
Description
General News is a practical, widgetized WordPress child theme built on MoreNews for newspapers and journals requiring a reliable, easy-to-configure architecture. It features 9+ custom widgets, multiple banner choices, and a header and footer builder for efficient layout management. The theme is compatible with the Block Editor and major page builders, focusing on search engine optimization and Core Web Vitals for maximum visibility. It is AMP-ready, WCAG-accessible, and multilingual, designed to help global publishers launch search-friendly, content-rich sites quickly. https://afthemes.com/products/generalnews/
Frequently asked questions
Is General News a free theme?
Yes — General News is a free, open-source (GPL) theme distributed through the official WordPress.org directory. The author also offers a paid upgrade with additional features.
Is General News a block theme or a classic theme?
General News is a classic theme: it uses the traditional Customizer/widgets workflow rather than WordPress Full Site Editing.
How many websites use General News?
WordPress.org reports 1K+ active installs.
How popular is General News?
As of August 8, 2026, General News ranks #776 in the WordPress.org popular themes list.
When was General News last updated?
General News was last updated on August 5, 2026 (version 2.1.3). It has shipped 49 releases in total.
Who makes General News?
General News is developed by AF themes. It joined the WordPress.org theme directory in January 2023.
