Automattic Announces Renewed Commitment to WordPress Project
In a significant shift in strategy, Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com, has revealed plans to recommence its contributions to the WordPress project. The announcement was made in a blog post titled "Returning to Core," released on Thursday evening. This development comes just weeks after Automattic indicated that the forthcoming 6.8 release would be the company’s last major update for 2025.
Resuming Contributions to WordPress
The recent blog post emphasizes Automattic’s eagerness to reintegrate with the WordPress community. “After pausing our contributions to regroup, rethink, and plan strategically, we’re ready to press play again,” the statement read. The company assured users that its renewed focus will span several crucial areas, including WordPress Core, Gutenberg, Playground, Openverse, and WordPress.org.
"Returning to our mission of democratizing publishing for everyone, everywhere, marks this as an exciting time for us," the blog further noted, highlighting WordPress’s current status as the platform that powers 43% of the web.
Reasons Behind the Shift
While the earlier statement indicated a pause in development, internal sources have suggested that Automattic’s CEO, Matt Mullenweg, shared a desire to expedite the release of version 6.9 later this year, which may include an administrative refresh and new developments from a recently formed AI team. This new initiative aims to explore the integration of artificial intelligence within the WordPress ecosystem.
"I don’t think that will happen without our contributions," Mullenweg conveyed in an internal communication, reflecting a shift in urgency for the company’s development processes.
Speculation Around the Change
Industry insiders are curious about the factors prompting this sudden change. Some speculate that Mullenweg might have faced pressures that influenced the decision, while others question whether the company’s reputation and long-term viability were at stake. There is also talk of Automattic’s ongoing legal challenges with WP Engine, a WordPress hosting provider that Mullenweg has described as a “threat” to the WordPress community.
Automattic is embroiled in litigation regarding the contributions WP Engine makes to the WordPress project. Mullenweg has criticized the hosting company for benefiting financially from the open-source software without adequate contributions in return. This dispute has escalated to a point where Mullenweg prohibited WP Engine’s access to WordPress.org and initiated legal action over unauthorized trademark use.
WP Engine has countered that it does not require a licensing agreement and alleges that Automattic misunderstands trademark laws, leading them to file a lawsuit in response.
Recent Changes at Automattic
In addition to the strategic shift, Automattic recently underwent significant staffing adjustments, laying off 16% of its workforce. The company stated that this restructuring was necessary to enhance agility and improve overall productivity and profitability.
Conclusion
As Automattic re-engages with the WordPress project, the community will watch closely to see how this renewed commitment impacts future developments and the overall ecosystem.
For further updates on this evolving story, follow Automattic’s official announcements and related news from industry leaders.
Sarah Perez can be reached at @sarahperez.01 on Signal or via email at sarahp@techcrunch.com.
