When you write a blog post, you can apply one of 7 different post formats to the post:

Each of these post formats structures your post differently, focusing more on the type of content the format represents.

When you write a blog post, you will notice a box labeled Format to the right of your text editor.

Within this box are the 6 format options. Choosing Standard will result in a normally formatted blog post, while each option has a unique design associated with its format type.

For posts using the Video Post Format, a video is placed at the top of the post. The post's Featured Image will also be replaced with an embedded video in post listings.

Upon selecting the Video post format from within the Format options box, you will notice a new settings box has been added after the Post Content area.

There, you can define your video(s) by copying/pasting a video URL (from providers like YouTube and Vimeo) or uploading your video (in mp4 format via the WordPress Media Library)

Audio Post Format posts will display an audio player at the top of their content. An audio player will also replace the post's Featured Image on index pages.

Upon selecting the Audio post format from within the Format options box, you will notice a new settings box has been added after the Post Content area.

You can use the options provided to define an Audio file for the post.

Applying the Quote Post Format to a post will display a stylized quote at the top of your post. The stylized quote will also replace the post's Featured Image on all index pages.

Upon selecting the Quote Post Format from within the Format options box, you will notice a new settings box has been added after the Post Content area.

You can use the options provided to define a quote for the post.

When you apply the Gallery Post Format to a post, an image gallery is displayed at the top of the post content. A gallery slider will replace the post's Featured Image on all index pages.

Upon selecting the Gallery Post Format from within the Format options box, you will notice a new settings box has been added after the Post Content area.

You can use the options provided to define your gallery images for the post.

Applying the Link Post Format to a post will display a stylized link at the top of your post. The stylized link will also replace the post's Featured Image on all index pages.

Upon selecting the Link Post Format from within the Format options box, you will notice a new settings box added after the Post Content area.

You can use the options provided to define a post link.

When you apply the Map Post Format to a post, a map centered on your chosen location will appear prominently at the top of the post content.

This can be useful in various situations, especially for sites where posts might be connected to a physical location (a restaurant review site is one example that comes to mind).

Upon selecting the Map Post Format from within the Format options box, you will notice a new settings box has been added after the Post Content area.

You can use the options provided to define a map point for the post and configure the map's zoom level and positioning.

A Google Maps API key is required to use the Contact Page Template since it contains a Google Map.

To obtain an API key, log into the Google Developers Console, which will guide you through the process and automatically activate the Google Maps JavaScript API and any related services.